10/24/2024 Kenya (International Christian Concern) — In the quiet village of Salama in Lamu county, Kenya, an act of terror in 2023 altered the trajectory of Josphat Mwendwa’s life.

During the attack on his village, which occurred one evening in 2023, Islamic extremists severely injured Mwendwa’s father and destroyed or stole his family’s possessions. The family fled and relocated to a new village. The trauma they had endured left them emotionally and financially devastated.

“I remember that day like it was yesterday,” Mwendwa said of the attack. “It felt like everything we had worked for was shattered instantly. My father was the family breadwinner, and our world crumbled because he is now jobless.”
As his family struggled financially, Mwendwa’s dream of pursuing higher education seemed impossible. He had been a bright student in high school, always passionate about making a difference in his family and community. Yet, the financial burden made his dream seem unattainable.

“When my father got severely injured, and we lost all our family properties, I thought that was the end of my education,” he said. “There was no way we could afford university fees. I watched my mother struggle to make ends meet, and I started losing hope.”

However, hope came in the form of assistance from International Christian Concern (ICC). We identified Mwendwa’s potential and offered him a one-year scholarship to pursue a teaching degree at The University of Embu.

“When I received the news, I couldn’t believe it,” Mwendwa said, his face lighting up with emotion. “It was like a miracle. ICC gave me a second chance at life.”

The scholarship not only covered Mwendwa’s university fees, but it also provided mentorship and psychological support to help him heal from the trauma of the attack. Today, Mwendwa is thriving in his studies, driven by the desire to build a better future for his family and community.

“I wanted to become someone my parents would be proud of,” he said. “Becoming a high school physics and mathematics teacher has always been my passion because I believe in rebuilding communities through education — just like I’m rebuilding my life.”

As he pursues his teaching degree, Mwendwa hopes his story will inspire others to pursue their dreams.
“I want others to know that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope,” he said. “It’s not easy, and the pain never truly goes away, but with the right support, we can all rise above our circumstances.”

As he continues his university journey, Mwendwa is determined to work hard. His dream is to help change the trajectory of his family and his community.

“ICC gave me a future, and now I want to work hard and smart so I can give other people opportunities,” he said. “We all deserve a chance to rise from the ashes of our past.”

To read more news stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email [email protected].