Save them from falling through the cracks

So I am watching this young lady being interviewed on TV on how grateful she was that her story was highlighted in the press and Mama Lucy Kibaki (in person) gave her mother a call and voila, she got full sponsorship. She didnt dissapoint and bagged a straight A in KCSE and is now a first year pursuing Engineering!! Well done for her !!

I felt happy for her - her name is Stella Wanjiku, but my heart really went out to all the other children, the other Wanjikus  & Ahmeds who are listening to her narrate her story of sheer luck and wishing that they too had their story highlighted and got a solid sponsor.

Should Kenyan children of high IQ wish for this?

Is it their fault that they come from humble homes??

Shouldnt each and every child who at the very least, scored an impressive grade be assured of Secondary and University education by the Kenyan government??

Shouldnt children who secured a seat in national school never get denied entry because of lack of funds??

I know thousands are identified and supported by private initiatives like the impressive Wings to Fly (Equity Foundation), Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, Hilde Buck Foundation, Palm House and many others.

I dare say that for any child called to a national school in this country of ours automatically deserves full sponsorship


We can afford it!

We MUST afford it!

Falling through the cracks

The Class 8 results are out and many students have been lifted sholder high for having performed very well. They are those of whom this was expected so were treated with various interviews in various media on these young ones giving out wisdom on how the managed to 'conquer' the exams. Things like obey your parents, obey your teachers, study hard is what they said looking all wise. Nice

So my main concern is for that group that after all the hype, are called to these prestigious national schools and boom...it dawns on them the sheer amount of funds they have to cough up for their child to realise their dream of joining said national school. for some their parents and family will ensure that they get there...for some these foundations that have thankfully sprouted up will take on the burden of fees....but there are still those that will indeed fall through the cracks....those that they may not get picked by the foundations...or county/ constituency bursaries....and just like that their dreams are no longer valid...

But should this be the case?? I dare say that for any child who has been called to a national school, the headteacher should ensure that they join the school else have proof that the child has opted for another school before giving out the slot. These children in my view should qualify automatically for government support! It can be done....it should be done!

Because I am a girl

Because I am a girl

There is an advert that was doing rounds on the ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign by Plan International. Ironically, this resonates with me so much yet I have never personally faced discrimination as regards education because I am a girl. When the reality of what other girls face hits me in the face, I feel for them straight from my inner core – since it feels so unfair!

When did this begin? I was minding my own business sometime in early 2005 when a young cousin came to stay in my mothers’ house and in the process look after my nephew who was a toddler then. The girl had finished class 8 and was hoping to get into secondary school but this was not part of her parents (my Aunty and her husband) plan at that moment because of financial constrains. She stayed on for a couple of months and then it dawned on me, do they really want to take her to school? And how much is school anyways?? I searched around for suitable schools and discovered the price ranges to be a wide as from here to China. I settled for a modest secondary new school near Machakos town and got her admission to start in January 2006. Her parents may have been under the impression that they were to pay for the same and so they said that her older sister has to finish Form 4 first before she can enter form 1! And that time her sister was going into 3^rd form!! I clarified that I was to make the payments and they need not worry. I didn’t think that 4 years was a too a long a time for me to commit and probably break a young girls heart if I can’t go through with it. By Gods grace, the funds became available and before we could blink several times she had cleared her form 4 exams in November 2009. How fast the 4 years passed!!! Needless to say she is now clearing her Diploma in Early Childhood Development and am glad to have contributed to her dream since she is a gem with young ones.

This experience made me realize that it’s possible to change things one girl at a time. If I had the resources I would sponsor many at a time but for now, one at a time is still good enough!!