Mary Wanja, the mother of legendary Kenyan volleyball player Janet Wanja has opened up about her daughter’s relentless passion for the sport, even in the face of initial resistance.
Speaking during her memorial ceremony at the Kasarani Arena, Mary recalled her attempts to keep Wanja from playing volleyball as a young girl.
“I never liked the idea of her playing volleyball. When she went to play, I would go to the field and pull her out,” she admitted.
“I would tell her not to go out of the house, but she would sneak out and go.”
However, Wanja eventually learned to support her daughter’s talent, urging others to nurture young people’s gifts.
“Tuwachilie watoto vile vipawa ambavyo Mungu aliwapea, tujaribu kuwa-encourage.” (Let us allow children to develop the talents God gave them and try to encourage them.)
Mary Wanja Pay Tribute to Janet Wanja
At the same time, the bereaved mother reminisced about Wanja’s golden heart, her love for helping others, and her resilience.
“Wanja was a unique girl with a golden heart. She was always kind and willing to accommodate anyone, even if someone stayed for two years. When she went to the streets, she could fit in with even the street boys,” she said.
“She used to go to children’s homes to see orphans, but she would tell me, ‘Mother, it’s not a must to announce that I am visiting them, and I knew that it was biblical.”
Also Read: Janet Wanja: Notable Contributions and Titles Won in Her Stellar Volleyball Career
In a poignant revelation, Janet Wanja’s mother shared that her daughter had been looking forward to a December wedding, a dream tragically unfulfilled.
“Wanja told me that if it were not for God, she wouldn’t have achieved what she had. She also urged her father to seek salvation and for us to serve God together,” Wanja’s mother said.
“She then mentioned that she would wed in December, but now, this is her wedding – a wedding where she will never return to suffer again in this world.”
Former Malkia Striker Dies of Gall Bladder Cancer
Wanja’s mother also recounted the devastating moment when doctors informed the family that chemotherapy would no longer be an option due to the cancer having spread.
“When the doctor came and told me that we could not do chemotherapy because the cancer had spread, I cried a lot. I cried, I cried, and maybe that is why my tears are dry now,” she added,
Janet Wanja died on Thursday December 26 after a brave battle with gallbladder cancer.
She was undergoing treatment at the MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi. In the final days of her life, she was put in palliative care at her house.
Also Read: Janet Wanja, Former Malkia Strikers Player Dies
Wanja’s Career in Volleyball
Janet Wanja’s volleyball career is a testament to her talent, dedication, and resilience. After leaving Mukumu Girls High School in 2005, she embarked on her professional journey with the KCB Women’s Volleyball Team, albeit for a brief period.
She soon moved to Kenya Pipeline, where her career flourished. At Pipeline, she made a name for herself, taking over the setter position from Judith Serenge and Rhoda Liyali. Wanja went on to lead her team to four consecutive local league titles between 2014 and 2017.
Her international success also speaks volumes, with a standout achievement in 2015 when she was part of the Kenyan team that clinched the FIVB World Grand Prix title in Australia.
Additionally, she represented Kenya on the global stage at the highest level, playing in two editions of the FIVB World Championship (2006 and 2008), three editions of the FIVB World Cup (2007, 2011, and 2015), and even at the 2004 Olympic Games.
She also proudly represented Kenya in five editions of the Africa Women’s Volleyball Championship (2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2015), and participated in two editions of the FIVB World Grand Prix (2013 and 2015), cementing her legacy as one of Kenya’s volleyball greats.
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