Ruth Njau Tverbakka, a Kenyan woman, has shared her story of overcoming a harsh life as a house girl in Nanyuki. After completing primary school, Ruth's mother could not afford to pay for her secondary education, forcing her to drop out. The two then hunted for casual work, joining groups of labourers hired to harvest potatoes, weed farms, and tend other people's gardens. This difficult beginning led Ruth to imagine a different kind of life.
An opportunity for a house girl position in Nanyuki eventually came through, and Ruth assumed it would involve light childcare, cooking, and cleaning. However, her experience was far from what she expected. The household had seven members, including teenagers in boarding school, two primary-school-aged children, and a toddler of about two years. Her shift started at roughly 4 am, and she was responsible for washing clothes, caring for the youngest child, preparing meals, and tending the garden.
Ruth's daily routine was grueling, and she was given minimal food and privileges. She was allowed only two slices of bread and tea for breakfast and was not permitted to use the household's bathroom. On top of all this, Ruth says she was sometimes beaten for forgetting tasks or misunderstanding instructions. She cannot even recall with certainty whether she received any pay. This harsh treatment took a toll on Ruth, and she began to lose her confidence and sense of self.
Before her experience as a house girl, Ruth described herself as a talkative, laughing, expressive young woman. However, that changed when she was punished for chatting with a neighbour's house girl. After that incident, she became afraid to speak to anyone, and her only conversations were with the children in the home. Over months, her voice grew quieter, and her sense of self eroded. Ruth's life seemed hopeless until one morning when she decided she had had enough.
Ruth woke up and decided to leave her difficult situation. She left with a handful of coins, no phone, and no clear plan. She boarded a matatu to the next stop, then went door to door telling her story to strangers and asking for help with bus fare. People listened and contributed, and she eventually raised enough to travel to her grandmother's home, where she stayed until her mother came for her. For years, Ruth looked back at that moment and felt shame.
With time, Ruth's perspective changed, and she now sees a young woman who, with almost nothing, found the courage to leave a situation that was destroying her. Ruth reflected that she was simply hurt and silenced, and she shared her story as a message to anyone in a similar place. Ruth is now based in Norway, a stark contrast to her humble beginnings that pointed her towards a different future.
Ruth's story is not an isolated case, as many Kenyan women face similar challenges. Meanwhile, new details have emerged about Kanini Kamau, the Kenyan woman who was recently found living rough in Hamburg, Germany. The 23-year-old previously worked for a Swiss company in Nairobi before marrying a white man and moving abroad. A former colleague revealed that Kanini had spoken about problems in her marriage before she left the family home.
Key points
- Ruth Njau Tverbakka's experience as a house girl in Nanyuki left her beaten, isolated, and afraid to speak.
- Ruth found the courage to leave her difficult situation and start a new life in Norway.
- Ruth's story serves as a message to anyone facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of finding the courage to seek help and change one's circumstances.
