This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
Sam West, a motivational speaker and husband to Vivianne, has spoken about the tough times he faced growing up. Born into a family that ran an orphanage, he was exposed to the struggles of others from a young age.
His parents, who founded the 'Zero Civilization' orphanage in 2002, played a significant role in shaping his life. Speaking about his father, who passed away in 2018, Sam said, 'My dad passed away in 2018.' He also praised his mother, saying, 'My mum is still alive and she is someone I honor, she is my role model.'
Sam's childhood was marked by financial struggles. His father was a pastor who was retrenched, and the family often went without basic necessities. In an interview, Sam recalled, 'Growing up my dad was retrenched and he was a pastor but a broke one. In class four there were a couple of times I walked barefoot to school.'
Things took a turn for the worse when the family was evicted from their home. Sam's father was threatened by a senior KDF officer, who owned the house, and they were forced to move out in a makeshift wooden house without a roof. The family often woke up to the sound of rain pouring in through the gaps in the roof.
Despite the challenges he faced, Sam has gone on to become a successful motivational speaker. He credits his parents for instilling in him a sense of purpose and a desire to help others. Now, in his marriage to Vivianne, he works hard to ensure his family does not go through the same struggles.
