At just 13 years old, Anne has already faced more hardship than many face in a lifetime. Born into a polygamous family in rural Kenya, Anne is the daughter of the first wife. Her father, in search of sons to carry on his lineage, left Anne’s mother behind with nothing—no land, no income, and six daughters to care for. His decision was rooted in a deep-rooted cultural belief: that only sons could secure a family’s future.
Anne’s mother, strong and determined, had no choice but to return to her relatives with her daughters. But life remained incredibly difficult. In a community where girls are often seen as less valuable than boys, and where early marriage and FGM (female genital mutilation) are common, education was an impossible dream for many girls like Anne.
Despite the hardship, Anne held on to two things: her love for school and her faith. While her sisters faced early marriages, Anne found solace and hope in her church and the few days she could spend in a classroom. She dreamed of a future where she could learn, grow, and one day give back to her community.
But without school fees, that dream was slipping away.
Then came a life-changing moment.
Thanks to the incredible kindness of Leagrave Primary School in Luton, UK, Anne and another girl were given something priceless: the chance to go back to school. Through the support of the charity One Woman at a Time, these two girls are now being sponsored, their fees covered, their uniforms bought, and their futures protected.
Anne is now back in Grade 7, smiling again, learning every day, and beginning to believe in a brighter tomorrow. Her sponsorship doesn’t just pay for school—it restores hope, dignity, and opportunity.
Anne wants to become a teacher when she grows up. She says, “I want to help girls like me, to show them that they can do more than what the community expects.”
Thanks to the sponsorship from Leagrave Primary School and the dedication of One Woman at a Time, Anne is not just surviving—she’s thriving. Her story is a powerful reminder that when we lift up one girl, we begin to change the world, one woman at a time.
