Kawangaare
Age: 10
Gender: Female
Catherine is 10 years old and a partial orphan and the seventh -born in a family of eight children. She is currently in Grade 3 at Wamo Academy. . She has four brothers and three sisters: Kevin Mutoki (30), Levis Simiyu (16), Sylvester Odhiambo (13), David Gitau (9 months), Ann Nyanduko (27), Monica Mumbi (23), and Selina Mokovi (20). Their mother, Susan, passed away on January 11, 2024, due to complications related to HIV. The first four children share the same father, while the younger four have different fathers. However, their mother never disclosed the identities of the fathers, and none of them have ever provided any support—either for basic needs or education. In 2023, before their mother passed away, the third-born sister, Monica Mumbi, took on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings and enrolled them in school. Monica, a Christian and active member of the P.C.E.A church, has four children of her own. She struggles to provide for the extended family, as she depends entirely on her husband, who does casual labor. Monica also faces criticism from some of her older siblings for helping the younger ones. Due to financial constraints, the children often lack school fees, uniforms, and other basic educational supplies. This situation highlights the urgent need for support to help them continue their education. When their mother passed away, she left behind a newborn baby, only three days old. The child was taken to a children’s home whose name the family does not know where he will be cared for until the age of two, as per an agreement made at the time. Monica is a Christian and attends P.C.E.A church and is a member.