Lillian: An Impossible Neurosurgeon

Lillian  •  Kenya

It didn’t matter how gifted she was- when her mother got sick, Lillian went from outperforming her peers in the classroom to dropping out of school. Lillian struggled just to survive: she and her siblings lived in a mud hut with no running water or electricity. There was barely money for food. School fees, books, and lunch were unimaginable.

It wasn’t the first time tragedy had hit her family. Lillian’s passion for school was driven by the death of her older sister. She lost her life because she couldn’t access medical care. There were no doctors, so Lillian resolved to do whatever it took to become one. Now, despite being one of the brightest students in the county, Lillian’s dreams of medical school were dimmed as she fought the odds she was born into.

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ON THE RISE

Then Lillian joined our education program in Kenya. She was able to return to class and passed elementary school with flying colors. She was later accepted to the top girls’ school in Kenya and received the education and resources- room, board, books, and a place to focus- that she needed to keep going.

Now Lillian is a junior and on track to graduate high school in another year. She plans to attend university and pursue her dream career as a neurosurgeon. Oh, and she’s the number one student in her county. That’s no surprise.

Lillian has the potential to be a medical professional providing healthcare access to places where there is none. That potential was almost lost. Because of you, it was found and nurtured.