Born in 1951 in Meru County, Wangui’s early years were filled with both simplicity and hardship. As one of nine siblings, she spent her childhood tilling their small farm, unaware that life would soon take a difficult turn. Tragedy struck when she and her siblings were orphaned at a young age, leaving them to navigate life without parental care. With no access to education, Wangui was forced to grow up quickly.Seeking a fresh start, she moved to Isiolo and married at 18. Together, she and her husband had five children. It didn’t take long for her to realize that she needed to work to support the growing family. But opportunities were scarce—without education or specialized skills, she could only find work as a domestic helper. Meanwhile, her husband, once the family’s sole provider, saw his income dwindle as job opportunities became fewer, making their already difficult life even harder.Just as Wangui had started saving a little money to supplement their income, her husband fell ill. His condition worsened rapidly, and before she could prepare for the inevitable, she lost him. Left with mounting hospital debts and five children to feed, she had no time to grieve. She turned to selling fruit, doing everything she could to keep her family afloat.But hardship followed her at every turn. The relentless stress took a toll on her health, and she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, making it increasingly difficult to work. Then, another misfortune struck—an accident at work left her with a sprained arm, forcing her to quit her job entirely.With no income and no other support, Wangui refused to give up. Using the little savings she had left, she started a small grocery business, ensuring her children had something to eat. She managed to pay for their primary school education, but none could afford to continue to secondary school.As the years passed, Wangui found herself alone, struggling to survive. She was recruited into the Seniors Feeding Program, receiving monthly food rations that have been her lifeline ever since.
