[two_third]NAME: Samwel Kinyua
Age: 18 years
Graduated in Nov, 2018
School: Tigithi Secondary School– Boarder
PA-MOJA Scholarship started: Form 1 (Grade 9)
Tribe: Kikuyu
Supported by: Private Donor
Samwel lives with his grandmother in a small village called Mitero in Laikipia East. He is the first born in a family of five. His 13 year old sister, Eunice Wanjiku is starting Form 9 (Grade 9) this year. His 8 year old brother, Stephen Wamai is in Standard 2 (Grade 2). Six year old Simon Ihiga is in Nursary school, and the last born, Peter Kariuki, is two years old.
Samwel has always lived a challenging life. His 35 year old mother, Jane Wangeci , left him with his grandmother, Sarah Wambui, for five years when he was 7 years old. He was never told where she had gone. Samwel’s grandmother struggled to support her grandson. She worked as a laborer on local farms and often had to leave Samwel alone for days while she searched for work. Samwel had to learn at a very early age to cook, clean and get himself ready for school.
When Samwel started Grade three, his mother returned for a short time; however, she couldn’t find work so soon left again. Over the years she continued to have children and would leave them with the grandmother. None of the children have met their fathers. Samwel’s grandmother continued to struggle to earn enough to feed and pay school fees for the children. Samwel’s younger sister, Eunice, was taken in by an uncle who agreed to pay for her education.
When Samwel sat for his Kenya Certificate Primary Education (K.C.P.E) in 2014 at Weruini Primary School, he attained high enough grades to be accepted into a good high school. However, his dream of attending high school was impossible as the family had no means to come up with school fees. His mother was working as a housekeeper in another County and again it was his grandmother who had to bear the burden.
After approaching various donors with no luck, his grandmother, with the help of the area Chief, organized a fundraiser for Samwel’s school fees. The money raised was only enough for a school uniform.
It was at this point of despair that Samwel approached a former beneficiary of a PA-MOJA Scholarship, Patrick Kiiru, who is currently pursuing his degree at Maseno University. Patrick was kind enough to link him up with a PA-MOJA representative who visited the family and awarded him a scholarship. Samwel and his grandmother were overjoyed when they received the news.
Samwel is an ambitious student and is hoping to study Law in university. His favourite subjects are History, English, Agriculture and Swahili. His favourite teachers are his English teacher, Mr. Ngari, his Swahili teacher, Mr. Gacheru, and his History teacher, Mr.Chege. He loves these teachers because they teach with passion, are always approachable, and go the extra mile in assisting students with their studies. If given a chance to change something about his school, he would ensure the school library is stocked with revision books because they are never enough. (Revision books help students practice for exams). He would also plant grass on the school compound because it is always dusty or muddy during rainy seasons.
Samwel’s cultural background is Kikuyu. He loves the communal weddings and rites of passage ceremonies for boys. This is a time of feasting and bringing people together for celebrations. “What I love most about Kenya,” says Samwel, “is that we are a home of athletes and this is always witnessed during world championships. I also love the army. I always find myself reading a lot of articles about them. The way they carry out their activities with a lot of enthusiasm amazes me.”
During school holidays, Samwel assists his grandmother with house chores and looks for work doing casual jobs in his neighbour’s farms. The little he earns is used for buying personal effects, school supplies and food for the family. When he has a few minutes of spare time, he likes spending time with his siblings, fishing in the nearby rivers, and playing soccer.
Samuel continues to face challenges. Kenyan High schools start each new semester with exams in all subjects. Students are expected to study for these exams over the holidays using revision books. Samwel struggles to study for the exams because the tiny shack has no electricity and no space to study. As the oldest child, he feels the weight of responsibility for his younger siblings. “The children often go to bed without food,” he says, “and during the rainy season the roof leaks.” The lack of food and clothing and the poor condition of the home affects him even when he’s away at school; however, he knows that high marks will eventually help his family so he continues to do his best.
Samwel has a message for his PA-MOJA donors: “I would like to thank all the PA-MOJA donors for this scholarship. Without this support, I would have faced life as a casual laborer on other people’s farms. There aren’t enough jobs in our community so many young men who can’t afford school join criminal groups in the village and start using drugs and mugging people. I would humbly request that PA-MOJA continue reaching out to many more children from poor families in our communities who are willing to learn but lack school fees. I feel so thankful and blessed for this opportunity to improve my life and support my family. I also want to thank my grandmother who has taken care of me since I was young. She has always taught me the virtues of love, respect, and obedience. Thank you, to all of you. Asante Sana.”
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[one_third_last]August 2018 Update, Samwel’s message [/one_third_last]
