The text below was written by Rael Jopkoech Kulel, one of the students sponsored at the Irene School in Maralal, when she was asked to tell her own story. We publish it in her words.

I am Rael Jopkoech Kulel. I was raised by a friend of my mother’s, together with her three daughters. She used to insult me and repeat that she was not my mother. I was deeply hurt by her words, since I didn’t know anyone besides them — they were my hope, my dreams, my everything. I found it hard to understand why she treated me that way, when she was the only mother I had known since birth. Like their mother, my three “sisters” kept telling me I wasn’t part of their family.

One day she broke my trust: she told me that day I wouldn’t be going to school, because she wanted me to go for a walk with her instead. The others got ready and went to school. At the time I was in first grade. After breakfast we set off, and we walked for a long time until we reached a big town, which I later learned was Eldoret. She told me to sit somewhere and wait for her to come back, saying she was going to get something for me to eat. I waited in vain — she never came back. A woman approached and asked what I was waiting for. I explained that I was waiting for my mother.

After waiting a long time, the same woman came back to me and took me to the nearest police station. She reported my case. The police told her to leave me with them while they continued the investigation. The next morning I was taken to a “rescue center,” where I continued my studies and met other students who had lived through the same problems as me. When I was in third grade, about to move up to fourth, a woman came looking for a girl to sponsor. I was chosen, and my teachers thought this was my opportunity to go to a good school. The woman said she would sponsor me all the way through university. All the legal documents were signed, and she took me to her home.

To my surprise, instead of being taken to school, I was made to do all the housework by myself. School started and she still hadn’t taken me. When I asked her about school, she hit me and insulted me. She told me she had no money to waste and that she had children roughly my own age to take care of. I felt terrible having to get them ready in the morning while I was left behind to work in the house and on the property.

My life was miserable. I wondered why God hadn’t given my mother the chance to take care of me. I decided to run away and go back to the “rescue center.” I wasn’t looking for money, toys, nice clothes or shoes — all I asked for was to have a good mother who would take care of me. While I was crossing the street, I heard someone call my name. When I turned around, I saw the woman who had taken me to the police station.

I explained everything to her. This time she didn’t take me to the police station, but to her home in Baringo. Her motherly love and her words made me feel loved again; her family was kind to me. I became part of them, I was given their family name, and I attended Kopchekoloi Primary School through my K.C.P.E. exams. I passed with 300 points and started at Pemwai Girls High School.

My beloved Mama Turyah — who is my teacher, my mother, my friend, my mentor, my everything — is the reason I want to fly. She is my inspiration, she is my second God, and she is also the reason I don’t give up, the reason I smile. She advised me to attend The Irene School. At first I didn’t like the idea of having to move away and study far from her, but she assured me everything would turn out for the best.

I truly don’t know how I could repay her kindness. I also thank you, Father Musau, for accepting me into this school. All I promise you both is to work hard and give my best. May God grant you both endless blessings.