Happy Gardens Community School ....... About Us
Lydia’s Story
My name is Lydia Awuor Onyango, a Kenyan by birth.
I come from a family of four. My mother passed away when my sister and I were only 5 and 3 years old, respectively.
Our father passed away later, and we were raised by our grandparents, who also eventually passed away.
Discovering My Love for Learning
Growing up without parents brought many challenges, especially in accessing quality education. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, one day I took my sister and myself to school, even though we didn’t have books, pencils, uniforms, or bags.
The love and support from our teachers inspired us and made us love school. With the help of well-wishers and donors, I completed my education up to college.
This experience ignited my desire and vision to give back to my community by starting a nonprofit school for children like me—orphans, disadvantaged, and needy kids who deserve a quality education.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Children
With 15 years in the education field within slum settlements, I’ve seen the harsh realities and needs these children face.
This became even clearer during the coronavirus pandemic, when well-off children could continue learning digitally, while the vulnerable suffered.
This realization drove me to start teaching children in my home, providing them with a cup of porridge, which was all I could afford.
Starting Happy Gardens Community School
In 2021, I founded Happy Gardens Community Nonprofit School to better meet the needs of children in my community.
Our numbers have grown, and I’m currently working with 85 children, providing them with education and a feeding program to combat malnutrition.
Our Goals
My goal is to support at least 300 children in my community and to open more branches across Kenya to help kids in slum settlements.
We offer breakfast, lunch, and snacks because these are often the only meals the children get. We need your support to continue educating, feeding, and empowering these children.
Remember, feed a child, feed a community, and fuel them to school.
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