HOW SHUJAA ROSE TURNED PAIN INTO PURPOSE

 In the quiet hours of July 29, 2005, the life of Rose Wanjiru was shattered in an instant. A loving wife, mother and dedicated teacher, Rose never imagined that a violent home invasion would leave her a widow and alter her life’s path forever. Her husband was fatally shot by gangsters in their home, a horrific act that not only robbed her of her life partner but also marked the beginning of a long journey through grief, trauma and ultimately transformation.

That single night of terror plunged Rose into emotional darkness, a space filled with unanswered questions, sleepless nights and overwhelming despair. But instead of succumbing to the pain, she began to ask herself one powerful question: “What now?” With the support of faith, community and an inner strength she hadn’t fully known she possessed, Rose slowly began to rebuild her life, not just for herself and her children but for others suffering in silence.

It was in the aftermath of personal tragedy that Rose discovered a new calling: to become a counselor and support system for others navigating grief, trauma and mental health challenges. Her experience became her testimony. She went on to train professionally in counseling, dedicating her life to providing free mental health support and standing up for widows, orphans and victims of violence like those who, like her had once been left in the shadows.

Shujaa Rose counseling a certain school in Kirinyaga

Rose didn’t stop there. With a vision to create systemic change, she ventured into public service. Her initiatives now span across free counseling services, youth mentorship programs, substance abuse prevention, talent development and welfare support for widows, PWDs and single parents. Through her advocacy, she’s built a platform not only to amplify the voices of the unheard but to push for equal opportunities and mental health awareness at every level.

Fondly known as Shujaa Rose, a name that reflects her warrior spirit, She has become a symbol of resilience in Kirinyaga and beyond. Her life reminds us that strength is not the absence of suffering but the courage to rise through it. In a country where mental health is still a rising conversation, Shujaa Rose is leading by example, turning her deepest wounds into a powerful tool for healing others.