The Power of a Second Chance: Alex’s Story

his parents could not sustain the family’s needs, a situation which was exacerbated by continued domestic violence. Alex’s father worked as a tea harvester, while his mother was a part-time shopkeeper and occasionally a casual labourer on the farm.

“We used to live in a small, wooden house (drum-made house) with one bedroom fitted with double-decker beds, and a shared outdoor toilet and bathroom. We relied on water fetched from the river, rainwater harvesting, or the nearby borehole”, Alex narrated.

Alex's school life was deeply affected by the situation at home. From changing schools quite often to being occasionally sent away for school fees. But things got worse when his parents separated while he was 12 years old. He was in Grade 5 at the time. 

The children went to live with their grandmother, who struggled to support them financially. To survive, Alex and his siblings often worked in coffee plantations, earning as little as 200 shillings (1.52 USD) a day. Despite the hardships, Alex remained determined to continue with his education from Grade 6 up to Grade 8.

“Occasionally, I would be sent away from school because of school fees, but my uncle supported me and would sometimes take me back to school”, he recalled. 

His mother would sometimes send money to cater for their needs, but it was never enough for all the children and their grandmother.

At one point, Alex and his siblings went for three days without food. Out of desperation, Alex took KSh 6,000 from his aunt's purse to buy food for his siblings, but this led to his arrest and detention at a nearby police post.

“It was during this time that a social worker from Action for Children in Conflict intervened and rescued me from the station. I was taken to the Temporary Rescue Centre (TRC), where I found a safe and supportive environment”, he happily narrated.

At the Temporary Rescue Centre, Alex received food, clothing, counseling, and the care he had long been denied. He learned important life skills, including discipline, self-reflection, and the value of compassion and respect.

Alex describes the Temporary Rescue Centre as a peaceful and conducive place that gave him hope for a better future. His health has improved, and he now dreams of returning to school. He aspires to become a lawyer.

“When I grow up I want to become a lawyer so that I can defend the rights of vulnerable children and advocate for access to education and shelter,” he shared.

Alex is now back to school. His life has changed for the better. His hopes and dreams that once seemed far-fetched, now seem achievable. His message to children facing similar hardships is to believe that God will come through for them. 

He is full of gratitude to Action for Children in Conflict for restoring his dreams. Together, we can give every child a chance to dream again. A chance to thrive in a world free from exploitation.