Winfred
Winfred’s Story
By the time Winfred was 12 years old, both her parents died from HIV leaving her to care for her four younger siblings. Poverty, extreme hunger, and caring for her family forced Winfred out of school. She and her siblings had to beg for food in over-crowded pathways while they lived in mere coverings in the dirt among open sewage and garbage. Once a month, a local Catholic church provided them with a bag of rice and a soap bar.
Winfred and Jeni
Without the GLOW Foundation, college education and countless opportunities that have been offered her would not be possible. Winfred wants to show others that determination, leadership, and academic achievement can lead to success.
Since school is not free in Kenya, Winfred pleaded with the headmaster of her primary school to allow her to attend. He agreed to make an exception and allowed her to attend without a uniform and gave her old school books. Winfred was very close to giving up on college until she applied to become a GLOW scholar.
Winfred continued to work hard in high school, even as she took the role of a provider for her family
“When I was forced to take the role of a mother and father in the family of five siblings, plus two younger cousins, I took the challenge easy and I managed to walk through it and thrive in my education too.”