There's nothing as bad as being orphans. And the saddest part is when both your parents die when you're still young.

Death deprives you of the love of your parents and it takes strength to overcome the loss.

For those who are lucky to have both parents alive, always thank God and pray that they live longer.

A Kenyan woman by the name Alinda Ndenga has left Kenyans sobbing bitterly after she shared her story as an orphan.

In a recent interview with the Nairobian, Alinda revealed how she lost her parents in a span of two years and things changed afterwards. They were still in school and her baby sister was barely eight years old. Alinda was forced to take up the role of a parent to her siblings.

"We were suddenly thrown into the wilderness. I had to take up the role of a first born at 19. Many are the times we slept hungry. We would eat raw mangoes, drink water and sleep. My kid bro, now a Chemical Engineer, took up a job as an untrained teacher and we would do small scale farming to put food on the table."

The strong woman who is now a nurse also narrated how life was tough for them and at times, her siblings would sneak into her hostel room to spend nights there. But trouble doubled whenever schools were closed. She would work as a house girl in exchange for accommodation.

Alinda who was a bright student did not give up on her dreams of becoming a nurse and she managed to complete her course thanks to ACCESS, an organization that supports needy bright girls based in Kakamega who paid her fees.

"My college fees was paid by a body called ACCESS that supports needy bright girls based in Kakamega. Later, I did pay for my degree and masters in public health. As for my brother, he got 100 per cent HELB loan (thanks to his former high school principal Christopher Khaemba) and also ran small businesses at Moi University to survive. I was, however, able to pay fees for my younger siblings."

Alinda's parents died from HIV/AIDs and she has a message to children out here orphaned by HIV/AIDs.

"That being orphaned is not the end of life. Knock on doors, ask for help you will be amazed at how many people out there are willing to support orphaned and vulnerable children. And yes no one cooks better than your own mom so learn to appreciate “nasty” meals from acquired mothers!"

Credits: The Nairobian