Zena Athman begins 250km walk to raise funds for children’s home
By Valerian Khakayi, August 31, 2026A 25-year-old child rights defender from Tana River County has embarked on a 250-kilometre walk from Hola to Malindi to raise funds for the construction of a children’s home.
On Monday, August 31, 2026, Zena Athman began the journey in Hola, Tana River, and plans to walk all the way to Malindi in Kilifi County, using the challenge to raise money for a home that will provide shelter and basic needs for vulnerable children.
The proposed children’s home will offer children a safe place to stay, with Zena hoping it will give them a sense of security and belonging.
“Watakuwa na mahali watakuwa protected na kupewa basic needs na watakuwa na mahali wataita nyumbani,” Zena said.
Why Zena started the initiative
Zena said her decision was inspired by the challenges faced by young girls who are married off early and may find themselves in unsafe situations.
She said some girls who enter early marriages may not have a safe place to return to, making them vulnerable to further challenges.
“Kama mtu ameozeshwa mapema (early marriage)hawawezi kuka kwa manyumba zao itakuwa risk kwao kwa sababu wanaweza vitu vibaya sasa nikaona afadhali nitafute mahali nitaleta hao wasichana na watoto,” Zena added.
According to Zena, the planned home will provide a safe environment where vulnerable girls and children can access basic needs while being protected from situations that could put them at risk.
Her 250-kilometre journey is therefore aimed at more than raising money; she hopes it will draw attention to the challenges faced by vulnerable children and girls in the region.
Zena’s 250km journey from Hola to Malindi
The journey will take Zena from Hola in Tana River County to Malindi in Kilifi County.
Walking the distance is also expected to help create awareness about her initiative and encourage well-wishers to support the construction of the children’s home.
Zena is appealing to members of the public, organisations and other well-wishers to support the initiative and help turn her vision into a safe home for vulnerable children.
If successful, the project will provide a place where children can access basic necessities and have a safe environment they can call home. For Zena, the long walk is a personal commitment to helping children who may otherwise have nowhere safe to turn.