Charity was born to a teenage mother, Irene Mueni on 30th, April, 2003. Charity lives after surviving two attempts at being strangled by her own teenage mother. Her chequered life draws its miseries long before she was born. Her mother had been sent away by her parents on realizing her pregnancy. She left for her aunt’s home in Machakos where she delivered Charity. The poverty situation and hardships that Charity’s mother went through were so pathetic that the father forgave her and allowed her to go back home. However, the forgiveness did not last long as Charity and her mother were chased away in 2003. Her mother was accused of bringing disgrace to the family by giving birth to a child out of wedlock..
Charity’s mother did not have anyone to turn to for support or protection but to go her own way. She pondered over the issue and concluded to abandon her only child at the bank of a nearby river. She wanted to get rid of her as she saw Charity as the cause of her miseries, isolation and suffering. Charity’s grandmother, seeing her daughter without the grandchild, reported the matter to the area chief who later informed the police to mount a child hunt. Charity was rescued when she was very weak and emaciated. Her mother was taken to police custody and court to face charges of child neglect and attempted murder.
She was later acquitted and admitted at MCF Ndalani in November 2003 where she depicted considerable change of attitude and behavior towards her young one. The change in behavior persuaded MCF management to enroll her at MCF Yatta girls centre for vocational training along with other girls as she took care of her baby. Irene initially adjusted positively within the first few days at the MCF but her old self had not left her. She then ran away from MCF.
To solve her miseries, she tried to strangle Charity while bathing her in the presence of neighbors who were watching her at a distance. The neighbors who reported her to the police rescued Charity. Her mother was picked up by the police for the second time and taken to court to face charges of child neglect and attempted murder. MCF requested for full custody of the child and Charity was fully committed at Mully Children’s Family for protection and care in 2004. The mother is only allowed to visit her under supervision. Charity has grown up to be a girl of taste and full of life. She is intelligent, gifted and talented in her dealings. Charity is currently at MCF Ndalani in grade one doing quite well academically. She has access to all basic needs, love, care and protection. It is our hope and prayers that she will grow to become a peace and change agent in her family and the society at large and that she will restore hope and reconcile her family.