Better Life Children's Home
Meet the administrators of Better Life.
Jackson Wambua Mwanzia, 51, is a Kamba tribesman from Machakos District in eastern Kenya. He is a widower and father of four children, two of whom are still attending school. Jackson always placed a high value on education and has made it his life’s work to see that both orphaned and partially orphaned children are given opportunities he himself was often denied in his youth. In 2001, he founded Better Life Management Program SHG, the parent of Better Life Children’s Home. This small home is in the town of Kibwezi, which lies about midway between Kenya’s capitol, Nairobi, and the Indian Ocean seaport of Mombasa.
Jackson writes, “…in this area of Kibwezi we have many orphans who need our help in order to equip themselves with knowledge and skills for their future lives…This duty makes us happy and we feel blessed doing it.”
Janet Nthenya Isika, 33, is a single mother to son, Denis Wambua, and daughter, Loise Syekonyo. She was born in Matetani village, Machakos District, to a single mother of three. She was educated from primary school through secretarial college, then worked for a time as a volunteer with the Kenya National Malaria Control program. During this work, Janet met many needy and orphaned children, and would help them by providing books, pens, pencils and personal health care materials. When Janet learned through Jackson about Better Life’s mission, she writes, “I asked him if we can start a children’s home…They interviewed me on this and gave me permission to be the administrator of the children’s department.“
Meet the children:
Denis Wambua Isika, 9, Janet’s son, is in class four at Kibwezi Township Primary School. Recently, Denis wrote, “I would like to be an engineer. I am working hard, so please help me in education.”
Loise Syekonyo Isika, 3, will join nursery school next year in 2009.
Rose Nduku Nzilani, is 10 years old and in class five at Kibwezi Township Primary School. She was under the care of her grandmother and was a part of Better Life’s “neighbor to neighbor” childcare program before joining Better Life Children’s Home. Rose states that her best subject is mathematics, and she aspires to be an accountant.
Samson Mwanzia Wambua is 17 years old and is in secondary school in Machakos. He is the son of Jackson Mwanzia, Better Life administrator. Peace Bridges is sponsoring Mwanzia and his sister (see below) through their schooling. Mwanzia wants to become a professional driver, following graduation.
Grace Mbulwa Wambua is 21 years old and attends a girl’s secondary school in Machakos. She wants to become a nurse. Peace Bridges is sponsoring Grace and Mwanzia through secondary school. They lost their mother three years ago.
Mumbua Mwangangi, 14, has two brothers and two sisters. She experienced much after her mother died leaving a four-day old infant. Mumbua, being the first-born, had to leave school in order to care for the children. Her father was jobless. Once with Better Life, she attended pre-primary while still at home. Eventually she was able to move to Better Life, and is now in Kibwezi Primary doing very well. She wants to be a pilot.
Nduku Mutua, 12, has four brothers and two sisters. About her life at home with both parents jobless, she wrote, “I did not know if I could get an education until Aunt Janet brought me to Better Life Children’s Home…I would like to be a teacher.” She is in class five.
Mutunge Kivinda, 11, also in class five, has two brothers and four sisters. Her mother passed away and their jobless father was unable to care for them. She writes that she is working hard in school and wants to be a doctor.
Mbatha Nzivo, 10, a twin, has two brothers and two sisters. Her mother died three years ago, and her father is unemployed. She is in class three at Kibwezi Primary, and writes that she wants to be a nurse.
Ndungwa Munyao, 8, has one brother. Her mother also passed away, leaving her at the age of three months. Her father is jobless. She wrote, “I am now in Better Life…Uncle Jackson and Aunt Janet are very good. Here I go to school. They help me to read and write. I love them very much. I would like to be a police woman.”