Socialite Risper Faith has opened up about her childhood, revealing how her upbringing shaped many of the decisions she made while growing up. During an interview with Dr Ofweneke, she shared that her older sister, Nelly, sacrificed her own dreams to take care of Risper and their siblings.
Risper described herself as the “black sheep” of the family, often performing poorly in school while her siblings excelled. “I was in the bottom 20 while my other siblings were in the top 20. I feel like I never got the support from my parents. I used to find love from the matron and teachers because I wasn’t getting it at home,” she said. She admitted that she craved fatherly affection and often looked for guidance from adults around her, which distracted her from her studies.
She also recounted the strict environment at home. Her father, a professor, expected her to figure things out independently, while her mother, a manager at NCPB, rarely engaged in personal conversations. Risper said she could not even discuss basic topics like her first period or dating with her parents. Despite this, she acknowledged the advantages they provided, including never having to wear second-hand shoes.
Risper credited her sister Nelly for stepping in as a parental figure, especially during high school. She broke down recalling how Nelly, now 38 and without children or a husband, took on responsibilities that prevented her from pursuing her own life goals. “Our parents handed all the responsibilities to my elder sister after she finished form four. Until today, she is taking care of us. She is our first born. I feel bad for her because her life ended because of those responsibilities. She has never dated. She is like a mother to us,” Risper said. She recalled Nelly supporting her financially while at Masinde Muliro University and always checking in on her during school.
Risper expressed gratitude for her sister’s sacrifices and prayed that Nelly will eventually fulfill her own dreams of marriage and a career.
