- Terry Charity, a KCSE candidate from Juja has been sitting for her final exams with breathing tubes connected to an oxygen cylinder by her side
- This is because she is battling a severe heart and spinal condition
- Her parents wake up early each day to prepare her, and connect her to the life-support machine, before arranging for a taxi that will take her to the exam centre
Terry Charity, a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidate from King David Junior and Secondary School in Juja, Kiambu County, is sitting for her exams while tethered to an oxygen cylinder.
Diagnosed with a rare heart and spinal condition, Terry’s journey has been one of relentless hardship, yet her desire to excel and become a neurosurgeon has driven her to endure these exams under unimaginable circumstances.
For over a week, Terry has been isolated in a quiet room, her breathing supported by tubes linked to a large oxygen cylinder by her side.
Her parents, Lucy Mumbi and Paul Njiru, have shouldered the daily routine of waking early to prepare her, hiring taxis to transport her to school, and watching with heavy hearts as their only child fights to overcome her physical limitations to pursue her education.
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Paul Njiru recounts how Terry’s health has always posed significant challenges.
“When she was young, we discovered she couldn’t walk. Doctors advised us to enroll her in a special school, and she’s persevered all the way to Form Four,” Njiru shared.
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However, her condition worsened last December, forcing the family to acquire an oxygen cylinder to help her breathe—an expensive and essential lifeline.
But the cost of Terry’s survival has left the family financially drained, relying solely on well-wishers for support.
The oxygen cylinder must be refilled regularly, and its power demands have driven the family’s expenses even higher.
“We are struggling to keep up,” Njiru admitted, appealing for more aid as the financial toll mounts.
Touched by the family’s plight, Kiambu Huduma Centre Coordinator Susan Wanjiru has taken steps to rally community support.
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Having met the family through a recent Huduma Mashinani campaign, she has called on compassionate Kenyans to extend their assistance.
“Terry is a bright and passionate student with dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon,” Wanjiru said.
“Her determination and love for learning have inspired us all, and we hope more well-wishers will come forward to relieve her family of this financial burden.”
