From abuse to near miscarriage to the turning point that saved her life .... (Part 2)

By the time I sought help from YAWI, my situation was dire—I had become an addict. Upon arriving at the center, I met Florence, who asked me to return with my mother so she could arrange for my three older children to stay at the center while I was taken to a rehabilitation facility.

“Florence even gave me some money to buy diapers, but instead, I spent it on alcohol. I was tipsy but somehow made my way home and returned to YAWI with my mom. They agreed to take care of the older children while my mom would periodically visit the center to receive money for their upkeep,” Vivian recalls.

Soon after, I was taken to Jimia Rescue Centre. By then, I had lost all hope and was extremely stubborn, battling severe withdrawal symptoms from the various substances I had been abusing.

“There were times I hallucinated and hid my baby under the bed, convinced that someone was trying to abduct them. At my lowest, I met Mama Jimia, and through countless counseling sessions, I began to rebuild my life—one step at a time,” she says.

It took a year before I was able to see my three older children again during a visit in 2021. By then, I had gained weight, looked radiant, and felt like I had been given a second chance at life.

I was finally in a place where I could take charge of my life and my children’s future.

“A while later, I left the rescue center. Fidelis Karanja and Florence were against me returning to Free Area, fearing I would relapse. I insisted, though, knowing that relocating to another place wouldn’t solve the problem since illicit alcohol is available everywhere. I wanted to prove to myself and my community that change was possible, even in the same environment where I had struggled,” she says.

Fidelis supported me during this transition, helping with rent and groceries for my young children. I knew this couldn’t last forever, so I started looking for ways to earn a living. Once I decided on selling boiled maize, Fidelis provided me with the starting capital.

“It’s been three years since I chose to leave alcohol behind,” says the mother of four. “Today, I’m at peace with myself, stronger, and more determined than ever. My small business selling boiled maize in the city center allows me to provide for my children, who are thriving in school.”

Now 32 years old, Vivian says she has a fresh perspective on life and feels ready to tackle any challenge.

“Whenever someone faces a challenge, I urge them to speak up. I often wonder—what if I had shared my desire to continue with my education with my stepdad? How different could my life have been?”

Vivian admits she occasionally encounters people from her past who still associate her with her old habits.

“Some still call me ‘Wambui Kalewa’ and claim it’s only a matter of time before I return to my old ways. I use their words as motivation, striving every day to prove them wrong—and so far, I’ve succeeded,” she says.