Tiny Miracles, Big Dreams: The Moment That Changed Venmarion’s Life Forever
Born in Nyamira County and raised between Kisii and Migori, Venmarion Moraa Gwaro always felt the pull of purpose. What began as a childhood dream shaped by family, healthcare, and hope has now grown into an international opportunity that will soon take her beyond Kenya’s borders to Austria, thanks to the support of TYE Pathways.
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“I had originally wanted to be a doctor, maybe even a surgeon,” Venmarion says with a gentle smile. But her path changed years ago when her twin siblings were born prematurely and spent a month in the neonatal unit. She still remembers the hum of machines, the careful movements of the nurses, and the strength of her mother, who had been advised to terminate the pregnancy but chose courage instead.
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“They were so tiny,” she recalls softly. “And the nurses were the ones who touched their lives. That’s what I wanted to do.”
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As a little girl, she once imagined herself a lawyer — “because when you’re in class one or two, that’s all you see,” she laughs — but by the time she was in upper primary, medicine had already captured her heart. When her dream of studying medicine didn’t work out, she turned to nursing.
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“I decided, why not? Nursing is also a career that touches the lives of people.” It didn’t take long for her to realize that this was not a compromise but a calling. During her four years at Uzima University, she discovered the heart of her profession — the daily connection with patients, the comfort, the conversations, and the quiet victories.
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“Nurses spend the most time with patients,” she says. “I feel like nursing really aligns with what I wanted.”
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Everything changed in her final year when TYE Pathways visited her university and introduced the possibility of working in Austria. “They told us about Austria and what they were offering. I was touched. I went home that day and searched YouTube for German classes to see if I could do it.”
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And so began a new balancing act, completing her nursing studies while starting to learn German. It was an intense season filled with research work, exams, clinical rotations, and late-night language lessons. “It was a lot,” she admits. “But I was willing to do it. As a firstborn, I didn’t have room to fail.”
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Her parents’ faith in her dream kept her grounded. When school fees doubled and the workload increased, they reminded her why she started. With their support, she began her German course in July, and from then on, every day became a step closer to a bigger dream.
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The journey wasn’t smooth. Booking exams was a challenge, and document verification meant countless long trips between Migori, Kajiado, and Nairobi. “Sometimes I’d get communication on Friday and had to be in Nairobi by Monday,” she recalls. “But I kept going. There was no way around it. I just had to do it.”
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Still, she never walked alone. “Some people promise to help you but leave you halfway,” she says. “TYE stood by us. They added us to a group with other candidates already in Austria. I feel like we’re not alone.”
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Now, at 24, Venmarion is preparing for her flight to Austria, her first time abroad. The moment feels both exciting and surreal. “When I was told I was leaving soon, I couldn’t even eat,” she laughs. “Food tasted like rocks. I’ve dreamed of this moment for years, and now it’s coming into reality.”
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“Don’t rely only on motivation. Motivation fades. What keeps you going is discipline.”
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She’s already imagining her new life abroad, learning the culture, mastering German, and specializing in paediatrics. She dreams of traveling through Europe during her free time and one day returning home to share what she’s learned. “I feel like if we get out there, we have a lot to give back,” she says.
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Her advice to others walking the same path is simple but powerful. “Be self-driven. The German language journey is more self-driven. If you’re not disciplined, you can give up easily. Patience is everything. Some people said it was taking too long, but as pioneers, we had to believe even when there was no one ahead of us.”
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As Venmarion stands on the edge of her new beginning, she carries with her more than a dream. She carries the hopes of her family, her community, and the many young nurses who will one day follow in her footsteps.
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“TYE Pathways didn’t just open a door,” she says with quiet pride. “They walked with us and made sure we were ready to step through.”
