Background Info

Giana Wanja was born on 6th September 2018 in Nakuru County, Kenya. She is the fourth child of Catherine Agwona. Giana and her family live in Rhonda slum of Nakuru.

Catherine (Giana’s mother) is 40 years old. She is a mother of five children. Catherine Agwona comes from the western part of Kenya. She was born in a poor family that provided manual labor on other people’s farms to support themselves. Catherine had to drop out of school since marriage became her only hope. She fell in love with Giana’s father who was then visiting the village. She moved with him to Nakuru County as his informal wife. Giana’s father worked as a casual laborer earning a small income.

When they started getting children, Giana’s mother had to look for causal jobs to help provide for the family. Giana’s parents were hopeful that life would become better. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic made everything worse. The two could not get any casual job. As a result, Giana’s father became depressed. He also became abusive and would threaten to kill the family. He eventually abandoned his family. Giana and her siblings were left under the care of their jobless mother. Their mother, Catherine, was determined to provide for them but there were very few casual jobs available. Giana became accustomed to staying long hours without food or going to bed hungry. Sometimes they would get help from well-wishers but everyone around them was equally struggling. When schools re-opened, Giana could still not be enrolled because her mother could not raise the required amount and other needs.

Giana was referred to us by their neighbour. She was admitted into Edgel Academy in 2023 after a successful assessment of her at home revealed her needy state. She is outgoing and cheerful.

Giana needs a sponsor.