This is Julia Chemtai, a determined and kind-hearted student currently attending Chesta Girls’ Secondary School.
And this is her older sister, Sophia Chepkorir, who is studying at Sebit Mixed Secondary School.
Both sisters are sponsored by the wonderful Catherine, who stepped in at a pivotal moment in their lives.
Julia and Sophia’s journey has not been an easy one. After facing abandonment by their parents due to gender-based violence, the girls were left in the care of their elderly grandmother. With no support, education felt out of reach. Sophia, as the eldest, dropped out of school and was working as a babysitter in their local village to help keep the family afloat.
But Julia, even in her own hardship, spoke up.
She bravely shared her story with our team at One Woman at a Time, and her compassion for her sister moved us deeply. Thanks to her courage – and Catherine’s generosity – both girls were given a lifeline.
They were welcomed to Ortum Girls, where they could finally feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
In 2022, both Julia and Sophia sat their Kenya Primary examinations. The following year, they began their new chapter in secondary school. They are now working hard and thriving – with plans to complete their secondary education in November 2026.
Afterwards, Julia, who is bright, driven, and full of promise, hopes to go to college or university. She dreams of helping others, just as she helped her sister.
Sophia, who finds academics more challenging, is preparing to pursue a vocational course, where she can still build a secure and independent future for herself.
We are so proud of them both. Their story is one of resilience, sisterhood, and the incredible difference that sponsorship can make.
Thanks to people like Catherine – and all of you who support One Woman at a Time – girls like Julia and Sophia are no longer forgotten. They are seen, valued, and given the chance to build a better future.
