May Grace Kanini Wambua Rest in Peace

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Grace Kanini Wambua, who worked with us at the Wildlife Works factory for two years. We deeply appreciate the dedication she put into her work with our company and into the community’s commitment to conservation. Although she was young, she lived a full life and provided a good life to her two young daughters. The illness that took her life in just 2 months was not able to be diagnosed. Below is the eulogy that was presented at her funeral by Monica, one of our nursery school teachers. We send our blessings to her family.

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A light has gone out, without so much as a flicker, and all we are left with is the precious memory of how brightly it burned and the warmth it gave us.

Grace’s appreciation of the simple uncomplicated things in life was reflected in her lifestyle. She was very simple and reserved.

Although Grace enjoyed a quiet life, which revolved mainly around her family and her work, it didn’t prevent her from living life to the fullest. She had always worked hard all her life, often more than one job at a time.

Grace was much more than a mother to her children. She was someone you could really trust and rely on, someone you could talk honestly and openly to, knowing you would be neither judged nor criticized, and you could count on her support whatever the problem.

Grace joined Wildlife Works Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Eco Factory on April 16th, 2012 as a machine operator. She specifically worked with the overlock and straight machines. She was very keen in her work making her the ideal person to work with us on our major client orders. Her contribution to Wildlife Works Eco Factory was magnificent and her time was very much appreciated, not only by the people she worked alongside, but the entire Wildlife Works family and her Maungu friends.

Grace became sick on April 7th, 2014. She complained of severe backpains which later affected her spine and soon her legs became paralyzed. She sought for medical care in Mombasa but her illness turned acute and she had to be transferred to Nairobi for special treatment. Grace succumbed to her illness in Bagadhi Hospital while undergoing treatment and passed on June 6th 2014 at 3pm. It surprised us to learn that she died on her birthday. She left behind two beautiful young girls.

We can’t even begin to imagine the grief and devastation that Grace’s family is bravely facing at the moment. It’s at such times when we are at our lowest ebb that we need the bosom of our family. We help and support each other and in time, the veil of mist and numbness gradually disappears. WE see a light at the end of the tunnel, we step out and we look back, thankful that despite their own grief and sorrow, we had someone to lean on when our own strength failed us. I know Grace would be very proud to see how her family are supporting each other at this very difficult time.