The Full Story
At just 15 years old, a girl from Baringo, Kenya, while in Form One, Ascar's life took a dramatic turn - she became pregnant. The news placed her at high risk of dropping out of school. Rejected by both her parents and the child's father, she found herself with nowhere to go and no one to turn to. By 16, she gave birth to a baby boy, moving between her parents' home and her boyfriend's place, where she was unwelcome in both.
Her struggles deepened when her baby was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a serious medical condition requiring urgent treatment. For a year, the infant was admitted to a hospital in Nakuru, with Ascar, still only 16, remaining by his side. This forced her out of school, and with her family and community unable to raise the necessary funds, hope seemed distant.
Through HMDS & Periamma, a sponsor named Poul reached out with a heartfelt desire to support a girl in need - a young mother who longed to return to school. This aligned perfectly with Ascar's situation. Bright and determined, she had already caught the attention of Madam Linah, a teacher from our partner school, who had taken her in when she was left with nowhere to turn. Poul's generosity provided the financial support for medical care, offering a lifeline in her darkest hour.
Despite these efforts, tragedy struck. Ascar's baby passed away due to complications from hydrocephalus, marking a loss that could have ended her educational journey entirely. Yet, with psychosocial support and encouragement, she found the strength - like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis - and started healing, rebuilding her confidence, and returned to school, skipping Form Two and advancing directly to Form Three.
Her determination carried her through the emotional challenges, and she successfully completed her secondary education in 2025, achieving a mean grade of C+ - enough to qualify for college admission.
Now, Ascar is preparing to join college in September to pursue a course in Nursing. Inspired by her personal experience, she is motivated to care for others facing medical challenges, turning her hardship into a mission of compassion and service. "The horizon is glowing."
