Justine Kokonya talks about her difficult childhood and her chance to go to school

• Barbara Messner
• 23. November 2024
• Allgemein
• 41

Our local project partner specifically looks for girls who are unable to go to school due to their family’s financial situation or other circumstances. This is how Justin Kokonya (25 years )was found, who, together with her four siblings, is growing up in poor conditions with her grandmother in a slum. Her mother had left the family when the children were still small. Everyday life is difficult, the money is barely enough to put a warm meal on the table. There were no funds left for school fees to ensure that the children received a continuous education. Even at a young age, Justine was forced to work as a day labourer in the fields during the holidays in order to earn money for her school education. After secondary school, Justine’s school career was over and she was old enough to contribute permanently to the family income, so she took on various low-paid jobs as a domestic help.

Our local partner found Justine and, with the help of donations from the MOYO organisation, provided funding for school, including learning materials, hygiene products, uniforms and vocational training. Justine’s dream was to work in catering, but she had already given up hope that this would come true.

 

 

Thanks to the donation project, Justine received 3 years of training in the catering sector, enabling her to provide for herself in the future, support her family financially and possibly set up her own business in the future thanks to her final certificate in Food and Beverage. Justine completed her internship in the kitchen of our local project partner. Justine also became a role model for other girls in her village and now acts as an ambassador, sending girls to our local partner’s workshops and giving them hope for a self-determined life.

Justine has been given a perspective for her future and is happy to talk about it

 

Many thanks to all our supporters and the state of Tyrol!