Caring of Nephews

Sarah Katishi, 39 is married to Gasper Mwanjahame, 41. They have been together for the last 20 years and are blessed with two children, Zacharia Gasper, 15 and John Wafula, 3. Lately they have also been taking care of their two nephews, John Mwasi, 11 and Isaac Mohamed 9 after their parents passed away. John is sickly and requires a throat surgery but they don’t have the money for the operation.
Gasper is a wood carver and was making a living out of it before the Covid 19 virus. Now he can hardly make ends meet for his big family since tourism industry is dead. They have come up with a plan that kids sleep late so that breakfast happens at lunch time. But that doesn’t ease problems either for they have to contend with power bills.
Life has been tough and as Gasper explains, “you cannot visit a neighbour to ask for anything for they are facing the same issues of lack. You stay in your house and face your own problems alone.”
The wife is no better either, for she has no job and she cannot find menial jobs anymore. “We have taught our children to share the little we get. It’s always a noisy full house unlike when children are in school.
“We spent every saving we had early in the year to get our first son to High School and then this Corona came and it is devastating.”
However, in spite of all these woes, they are grateful and still are a united couple.
Gladly, both recently received help from Jamii Bora Trust for food. “I immediately went for cooking gas for John is affected by kerosene or jiko smoke. I was so grateful and I still am.”
Sarah’s money was used to buy foodstuff like maize floor.

Project information

Project

Satellite, Rukenya Report

Date

2010

Location

Satellite, Kawangware, Nairobi, Kenya.