I am a boy of age nineteen years, currently
studying at Kaliwa secondary school in Teso district city Western Province Kenya. I am a second born in a family of four, two
sisters and a brother. My parents succumbed to death a couple of years back, my
father died in 1995 and my mother in 2002. Being total orphans ours is a
children’s only family. My elder brother who had written his final primary
education examinations in 1998 has been the head of our family. Due to lack of
resources my ailing mother could not afford to take him to secondary school
despite his above average performance. The little money mother got form
running petty trade was channeled to purchasing her drugs and buying us food.
Upon mother’s death, my brother made it his responsibility to ensure that my
sisters and I got something to eat. Neighbours too knew of our plight and
sometimes brought us food donations. Back at school I was performing well and
teachers were determined to help me at least go through primary education and
did not ask for any payments from me.
Despite my good performance at school I was
very sure that I would not continue with education for there was no one to pay
my fees. Sometimes this discouraged me but I continued to work hard.
Luckily, when I was in my final year of the
primary education course in 2002 at Kamunuoit primary school, Teso district Western Keny, a well wisher – a visitor to my school
organized an essay writing competition among all grade 8 pupils of the division’s
public schools. The essay was to be on either HIV/AIDS or Environment. Although
I knew that I was a bright student I could not underestimate my colleagues
capabilities and this helped me work hard as we were given sometime to prepare
for the competition. As fate would dictate, when the results came out, I was
overjoyed to see that I had made it, I became the best boy overall and that
earned me a four year scholarship of Ksh 10000/= annually. For the four years
one is expected to be in secondary school. This gave me a piece of mind as I no
longer had to worry where my school fees would come from, but to work hard
and pass examinations. As expected I led the pupils in my school when the final
examination results were out and was offered a place for secondary education in
the best performing secondary boarding school in my home district. Given that I
had no parents, my primary school teacher who also comes from my village made
it her responsibility to give me motherly advice. She was of the opinion that
I should not join my preferred school but join the day school near my home
as the promised scholarship amount was far below the fee requirements of the
boarding school. I consented to this good advice. On my first day at school a
friend to the well wisher was there with me to help me go through the lengthy
admission process. From that time always the visitor turned saviour faithfully
ensured that my school fees are paid at the beginning of every school
year. This reliable well wisher and my former primary school teacher Mrs
Florence Nabwire remained my foster parents and mentors. I sat for my final examination for secondary education at the end of year 2006. This God-send well wisher has helped me
cross the line of the illiterates to join that of the literates. This is no
mean feat and I am very grateful for without him I would never have gone beyond
primary education, since in Kenya
today secondary school education is quickly becoming a preserve of the rich. I
appreciate what he has done for me and take it upon my self to work hard so as
to secure a place in the University and later on get a good job to cheat
poverty that has faithfully followed me throughout my childhood. Consequently,
I dream to pursue a course in medicine and become a neurosurgeon.
KICHWANGI WYCLIFFE; assisted to write story by Evelyn Mukanda.
