I take this humble opportunity to thank the Almighty God for this far He has brought me. In addition I thank Ces-Kenya/Canada for their continued support. I am so grateful and I wish to share my story with you so that at one point or another it may motivate or create in someone else a different perception towards life.
To begin, I am Viewtone Achaga student at the University of Nairobi pursuing a bachelors degree in Science (B.Sc). I am a CES scholar, a recipient of a CES leadership scholarship. Here is my story.
I come from a humble family in Kakamega, to be sincere, a large financially unstable family. Not one including my parents ever accessed education. I attended primary school immediately after the free primary education was introduced in 2003. Without that it would have been a different story.
Born in a humble family, I have encountered all the hardships of life, including going to school without food and attending class dressed in rags. I was determined and never gave up. I maintained a brilliant record in school and was never involved in a discipline case. From the time I was admitted until the completion of Standard 8 I maintained the highest marks. I was the first student to score above 350 marks in the KCPE. I managed to score 365/500 marks.
As I said earlier, I came from a humble background where providing basic needs such as food and clothing was a hard task; but what about school fees? Living in poverty without fees to pay for high school was catastrophic. I stayed at home the entire first term when my group had already joined their respective high schools. Totally desperate, I lost all my self esteem and all my childhood dreams of going to the university. There was no light, yes that was the end of the road to my schooling.
Yet, right now I am at the university as I share with you my story. Something must have have happened.
On 15th May 2011, my headteacher Mr. Jeremiah Amulundu of Ebuchira Primary School came to my home. He told me to call my parents as there was something he wanted to discuss with them. He informed them that he heard a rumour that his best student had not attended school and yet it was already second term. My parents were frank enough and boldly told him that they could not raise Ksh.70,000 to pay school fees at Kakamega High School, where I had been offered a chance. He was so touched that he took an initiative that changed my life. He took me to St. Patrick's Ikonyero Secondary School, a two and half kilometre distance from my home.
The story continues. He paid with his own money Ksh.5000 as part of the school fees. He also informed the school principal Mrs. Mukula by then that I should remain in school at all costs as I was a promising, determined, hardworking and disciplined student. Our family sold everything that could be sold and that was just enough to purchase basic necessities, a pair of shoes and one shirt. I attended class with borrowed trousers. Life is what you make it!
Please do not sympathize with me; I had nothing that was also required for admission such as a mathematical set, an English dictionary, a Bible, a Kiswahili kamusi and all those necessary academic tools. By now half the second term was gone and I had lost a half year of learning.
I settled down to serious study at the middle of second term. I was in a desperate situation as the academic system remains unchanged. I failed terribly my first examination in high school, managing to score a C-. I was position 93/150 students. This was the first time to feel the pain of failing an examination. I felt like giving up. but something funny happened. My principal was impressed with my results! Achieving such a grade in one half of a term was worth her recommendation. I was encouraged despite the irony of being a champion in academics all my life.
I declined the August holiday, remaining in school throughout. I had to cover all I had missed. School fees were in arrears and that was all I thought about as I covered the five kilometres each day to attend school. Most of the time I was without food to eat.
I resumed my third term in Form one after the principle allowed me to improve academically. I used to wake up at three o'clock in the morning to avoid being late. Danger lurks in the darkness? I had never thought of that in my life. Remember my home was located deep interior in the village and the school is in the vicinity of Kakamega town. Enduring the morning cold with no cardigan or a pullover I adapted to survive the long distance. God protected me without my knowledge from the dogs and other dangers on the road.
By the end of the school year I was the second best student. Then it happened. I was awarded a Ces-Kenya/Canada scholarship. That is the greatest achievement in my life. Ces-Kenya/Canada has made me who I am today. I am very grateful and I owe Ces my life. I maintained a brilliant record in school despite the small challenges like lack of food, long distance, danger at night and many more I can’t even remember or are not worth sharing.
To be lucky you must be honest and faithful. I won my teachers’ affection and the principal used to give me some cash to use for things like soap and pens. With such special care and attention, I had no other option but excellence. I maintained discipline and determination which today I believe are the pillars of success. I have come to believe that all great stories have a humble beginning. I am determined in my life to have a great story to share and to motivate and inspire others.
I completed Form 4, achieving the second highest grade in the school. I secured a chance to study at the most prestigious university in Kenya, the University of Nairobi. As I reflect on my story, I once again thank Ces Kenya/Canada for creating a Leadership scholarship for me. I am determined to produce exemplary results in my academic life and make a contribution in society.
At the University of Nairobi I have learned one thing. Management is the key to succeed in life. The environment is challenging and one must manage time, money, friendship and all that is worth being managed. I have a lot more to share about my varsity experience but that will be next time.
You mean so much to me. Thanks for your extended support. Be blessed abundantly. I thank the Almighty for its global initiative of supporting education, long live Ces-Kenya/Canada.
Best regards from me,
Viewtone Achaga
University of Nairobi
