•Mercy is the oldest, in a family with 3 children. They live with their mother in the slums of Kibera. Her mother is their sole provider. Mercy lives at Karanja in Kibera slums. Earlier, she was living with her mother and two siblings in a one-roomed mud house. The family had a big challenge of paying house rent but through the Heart to Heart Home-Based Care program they are able to get monthly rent support. Before this, they had lived on the streets then they were helped by a relative.

•Mercy’s father had been supporting them and was taking care of the rent, but after he abandoned the family, all responsibility was left to the mother. She sells fruits along the streets of Kibera but it’s not enough to support all of the family needs. It has been 3 years since the girls’ father left. Day after day life becomes harder for them and their mother cannot not hide the pain and embarrassment she has in her heart because she is unable to afford to provide shelter for her children.

•The situation is saddening. Mercy’s mother hopes that one day her business will grow and she will be able to support her children and also be able to move to her own house. Mercy’s situation at home is so bad that it’s possible she will fall through the cracks and never be able to complete high school unless she receives outside support.