Rose Bitsengwa Tambasi was born in 1968 in Bushiangala, located in the Kenya District of Kakamega. She was the second of nine children--four boys and five girls—to Festo Tambasi and Philomena Khayesi. Her parents lived a hard life, which included a generation of poverty, illiteracy and alcoholism. Through the help of the Catholic Church, she and her brothers and sisters were able to attend school and escape the history of her parents’ childhoods.  It was during this period that Rose began to build her strong appreciation for education.

Rose draws motivation from actively changing the lives of her children—whether by helping a street kid become a responsible person or helping an unhealthy child become healthy. Ultimately, she hopes her work can help to change the lives of the community …and of the nation.

Rose operates the House of Mercy as a private NGO (non-governmental organization) and therefore does not receive official funding from the government. She is mainly supported by the local community through food, clothing, and financial donations to keep the House running. In addition, a modest tuition is paid by families that use her pre-school service.