Grade Female: Kindergarten - 8th Gr.

School Grade 7

Emelda was born in 2010 in Wasamo village, Mfangano West location. She is the fifth born in a family of six children. Her father died in 2012 after a long illness leaving them under the care of her mother who is mentally challenged.

Emelda’s elder sibling, Linda Oketch, is currently learning at Wasamo primary school in grade six. The second born, Micah Odhiambo, is staying with her Aunt and is learning at Misori primary school and is in grade three. Both the third and fourth born, Sarah and Kezia, are learning at TIPS Academy, both in KG3.  The last born, Mark, is learning at Mawanga primary school in KG1.

Emelda’s mother who is the sole breadwinner is mentally challenged. She burns charcoal, which is an illegal business, in order to provide for her children. However, this income is not sufficient enough to support the big family. Sometimes, she fetches water and firewood for people in order to supplement her income.

Life has been very difficult for both Emelda and her siblings as the mother could not afford to provide for the basic and academic needs. At times, they would go without meals. In most cases they would get support from well-wishers.

While at home, Emelda sleeps on a mat, covers herself with a blanket, which she shares with her other siblings. She unfortunately does not get access to an insecticide treated net.

Emelda was enrolled at GGCC in January of 2016 in KG2 as an orphaned and vulnerable child. She is very happy to join GGCC, a place she will call home. She will be taking three meals daily and a place she is able to sleep comfortably on a bed with a mattress.

Emelda is hopeful and wants to become a teacher in the future. She likes playing with her class mates common games like hide and seek, rope skipping, molding and swinging.

Update, November 2017: 

Emelda loves school!  She is doing great in math class and desires to go to college.  She attends Pentecostal Evangelical Fellowship of Africa church when she returns to her village on breaks, and loves Jesus very much.  She has been battling malaria, but is receiving treatment.  Emelda loves jumping rope during her free time.

Grade 7 - 2024

DOB: 2010

Partial Orphan