For nearly two decades, 54-year-old Stella Kadzo has wandered the streets of Malindi in Kilifi County begging under the scorching sun to feed and educate her five children.
Despite ridicule and hardship, Ms Kadzo, who is visually impaired, has never given up on her children’s future.
Over the years, she has raised them with the help of well-wishers.
Now, she is fighting for her last-born son, Teddy Kahindi.
Visually impaired mother Stella Kadzo,52, and her son Teddy Kahindi, 18, at the Shimo La Tewa Boys Senior School seeking placement. The mother went to secure her son's slot in the senior school due to a lack of school fees.
Photo credit: Winnie Atieno|Nation Media Group
On Monday, she arrived at Shimo La Tewa High School in Mombasa, a C1 senior school (previously national schools) with her son in tow to secure his admission slot to senior school, despite having no money for school fees, uniform, stationery or a box.
Clad in slippers and torn clothes, the boy placed his mother’s left arm on his shoulder as she used a white cane to make her way to the school to plead for the slot.
“I have no money, but I came to secure my son’s place in this prestigious school. Please don’t give it away. My son must join a national school and achieve his dream of becoming an artist,” she pleaded with the Chief Principal Mathew Mutiso.
Dozens of parents who were at the school to admit their children watched as the mother pleaded her case, some wiping away tears while others murmured words of admiration for her bravery.
Ms Kadzo lost her sight in her youth following a severe illness and now depends entirely on begging to survive. Her husband, a painter, struggles with irregular work and is unable to consistently support the family.
Teddy, 18, completed junior school at Karuma Primary School in Kilifi County, scoring 53 points in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA). Despite repeating classes due to financial hardships, he has never lost hope.
“I was in the 8-4-4 system, but I repeated a class and later joined the Competency-Based Education system because of financial challenges. Still, I never gave up. I love drawing. I’ve been drawing since Grade Three,” he said.
Visually impaired mother Stella Kadzo,52, and her son Teddy Kahindi, 18, at the Shimo La Tewa Boys Senior School seeking placement. The mother went to secure her son's slot in the senior school due to a lack of school fees.
Photo credit: Winnie Atieno|Nation Media Group
He told the Nation that he chose the Arts and Sports pathway because he wants to pursue a career as an artist.
“I believe this school can help me achieve that dream,” he said.
Using only a pen and paper, Teddy sketches people and vehicles — a talent nurtured amid hardship. Dressed in worn-out clothes and slippers, he had never been to Mombasa before this journey.
“The Competency-Based Education system brought me here for the first time. We asked the bus conductor to drop us at Shimo La Tewa, then we walked to the school,” he said.
Moved by their story, Mr Mutiso assured them that the slot would not be reassigned.
“This is a unique case where a visually impaired mother is bringing her son with no resources, only faith. As a school, we will hold the position, but I appeal to Kenyans to support this bright young man who needs Sh53,544 to join us,” the principal said.
Shimo La Tewa Boys Senior School Chief Principal, Mathew Mutiso, welcoming visually impaired mother Stella Kadzo and her son Teddy Kahindi, 18, who was placed in the school.
Photo credit: Winnie Atieno|Nation Media Group
Mr Mutiso recalled a similar case six years ago when a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education candidate walked to Mombasa seeking admission.
The story attracted national attention, prompting Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli to step in and support the boy. Today, that student and his brother, who later joined the same school, are both in university.
“I believe Teddy will also find his destiny helpers,” Mr Mutiso said.
