Every community initiative has a beginning. Some begin with funding, others with a strategic plan. Tumaini Na Uwezo (TUNU) began with a simple act of compassion—and the belief that every child deserves a second chance.
Our story dates back to 2012 in Mwimuto, near New Kitisuru in Nairobi, where my mother lived and attended church. Within the surrounding community were several vulnerable children, some as young as eight years old, while others were between twelve and fourteen. Many had dropped out of school and become involved in petty crime, while others had run away from home and were surviving on the streets.
Seeing these children lose hope at such a young age deeply moved my mother.
Rather than looking away, she chose to act.
Working through our local church, she began reaching out to these young boys, building relationships with them, counselling them, and helping them reconnect with their families. Where possible, she worked with the community to support their return to school and begin rebuilding their lives.
The transformation was remarkable.
One by one, the boys began leaving life on the streets behind. Families were reunited. Children returned to classrooms. Hope replaced despair. As word spread, more vulnerable children were identified—some were orphans, while others had one surviving parent who was unable or unwilling to care for them. What began with a handful of children gradually grew into a broader effort to restore hope to those who needed it most.
Although I was still young, those experiences left a lasting impression on me.
Watching lives change taught me that even small acts of kindness can create lasting transformation. It was during those years that I discovered my own passion for serving vulnerable children and families.
That passion followed me into secondary school, where I mobilized fellow students to support classmates who could not afford basic toiletries. During school holidays, we organized visits to children’s homes, collected donations, prepared meals, cleaned the facilities, and spent time encouraging the children.
These experiences strengthened my conviction that service is not measured by how much we have, but by our willingness to share what we can.
After completing high school, I knew that community development was more than an interest—it was my calling. I enrolled for a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development, determined to gain the knowledge and skills needed to create lasting change. Throughout my university years, I continued volunteering and supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families whenever opportunities arose.
Those early experiences became the foundation upon which Tumaini Na Uwezo (TUNU) was built.
Today, TUNU continues that same mission of restoring hope by empowering vulnerable children, supporting families, promoting education, and helping communities develop sustainable solutions to the challenges they face.
Our journey began with one family choosing to care. Today, we invite you to become part of that story.
Together, we can continue restoring hope, unlocking potential, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
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