From Surviving to Serving: Our Founder's Story

“I grew up in the heart of Kibera- the largest urban slum in Africa, where survival was, and still is, a daily struggle. Safety, food, even dignity were luxuries I couldn’t afford. After school, I often asked classmates if I could join them at home for a meal or a place to rest. Some welcomed me. Many didn’t. Kindness had limits when everyone was barely getting by.

Hunger was constant. Illness was routine, a result of overcrowding and poor sanitation. And at times, drugs felt like the only escape. Many of my friends gave in but somehow, I kept going. Whether it was hope or sheer stubbornness, I believed life could be different.

That belief became real when I met a sponsor through a local organization. An individual who gave me a lifeline and the most enviable chance to stay in school and complete my education. What started in despair turned into a journey of transformation, made possible by opportunity and the belief of strangers who became family. They saw potential in me before I saw it in myself.

Today, as the founder of Root Cause Kwanza, I carry that story with me. But every day, I still see children living the life I once did. Facing the same hunger, the same pain, and asking the same question: Is there any better?

My answer is a resounding: YES.

Root Cause Kwanza exists because we believe things can get better. Every child deserves access to quality education, good health, and the chance to believe in a brighter future. Every child deserves a better shot at the future.”

Jacob H. Murunga
Founder, Root Cause Kwanza

“Root Cause Kwanza exists because we believe things can get better. Every child deserves access to quality education, good health, and the chance to believe in a brighter future. Every child deserves a better shot at the future.”