Teddy Kahindi, an 18-year-old aspiring artist, has enrolled at Shimo La Tewa Secondary School thanks to donations from Kenyans. His blind mother, Stella Kadzo, who begged on the streets of Malindi to support her family, accompanied him on his first day. Their story went viral online, sparking widespread support.
Last week, the story of Stella Kadzo, a blind mother begging on the streets of Malindi to feed and educate her children, was published by Taifa Dijitali. The account spread rapidly online, prompting Kenyans from various backgrounds to donate for her 18-year-old son, Teddy Kahindi, a talented artist.
By Friday, the required Sh53,544 for registration, uniform, accommodation, and art supplies had been raised. Mombasa Cement Limited covered his full annual fees. Teddy arrived at school in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado driven by Jacob Fikirini, Principal Secretary for Youth and Sports.
He was warmly welcomed by headmaster Mathew Mutiso, who hugged him enthusiastically. Dressed in his new uniform—a white shirt and grey trousers—Teddy said: “I feel like I'm dreaming. I can't believe I'm in school—and not just any school, but a national one. When we went to buy the uniform yesterday, I thought I was seeing a dream.” He vowed to be disciplined in his studies and make his parents proud, thanking all donors.
Kadzo sat quietly in the headmaster's office, touching her son's uniform with tears in her eyes. Mutiso noted that Teddy deserved the spot due to his 53 marks and talents in the Arts and Sports stream. Fikirini urged coastal parents to send children to school despite economic challenges, emphasizing that boarding schools provide ample study time.
