- Kiambu well-wisher Derrick Mbugua launched an online fundraiser after photos of Betty Yego's family home in Mt Elgon exposed the desperate conditions they were living in
- Kenyans surpassed the KSh 300,000 target by raising KSh 318,000 within a single day, with the local community adding another KSh 16,000
- Before Mbugua and his team departed for Nairobi, area leadership treated them to a remarkable feast inside Chepkoya Police Station
The story of Betty Yego, a young woman who was found in a distressed state near Kenyatta University gate, has taken a deeply hopeful turn after Kenyans rallied together to transform the fortunes of her struggling family.
Source: Facebook
After Kiambu well-wisher Derrick Mbugua and his team followed up on Betty's situation, they uncovered just how desperate her circumstances truly were.
Images from Kaptegandet village in Mt Elgon showed the family's shelter held together with torn sacks, scattered iron sheet scraps and mud, barely enough to protect Betty's parents and nine siblings from the elements.
How Kenyans Responded to the Fundraiser
Moved by what he saw, Mbugua launched an online fundraiser with a target of KSh 300,000, setting aside KSh 200,000 to purchase a small piece of land and KSh 100,000 to fund construction of a semi-permanent three-bedroom house.
The response was swift and overwhelming. Kenyans contributed KSh 318,000 in less than 24 hours, surpassing the goal. The local community, galvanised by assistant chief Christine Tekei, added a further KSh 16,000 to the pot.
Mbugua confirmed that both a local pastor and the area chief would remain closely involved to oversee the land purchase and supervise construction from start to finish.
A Feast at Chepkoya Police Station
Before Mbugua and his team made their way back to Nairobi, village leadership in Kaptegandet gave them a send-off to remember.
A video captured a wooden table inside Chepkoya Police Station laden with generous portions of ugali, chicken, potatoes and rice, as the team celebrated alongside the family, the chief and other local officials.
Mbugua was visibly moved by the warmth extended to them throughout the visit.
"Thank you, Mt Elgon.Thank you, Chepkoya Police Station and Area Chief Christine for the help. We were invited inside the police station. These people are just amazing," he said.
With funds secured and trusted community leaders in place to see the project through, Betty Yego's family stands on the threshold of a life that looks very different from the one those heartbreaking photographs revealed.
Source: TUKO.co.ke