Name: Monicah Wangari Wanjohi
Age: 18 years
Form: 4 (Grade 12) (January, 2020)
School: St. Judes Ntrukuma
Scholarship Started: 2017
Supported by: Private Donor
Written in 2018 – Monicah is the fourth born in a family of four. Her first born sister is in her final year at Moi University pursuing Bachelor of Education, the second born is pursuing Accounts at Dedan Kimathi University while the third born is in grade 12 at Sweetwaters Secondary school. They live in a small village called Njoguini which is in Laikipia East.
Monicah Parents’ Simon Wanjohi and Lydia Wothaya are farm labourers. They depend on casual work for the upkeep of their children. When Monicah finished her grade 8 in 2016, she knew her chances of joining secondary school was slim. Reason being, two of her older siblings are in university while another one is in secondary school. The little money her parents earned was used to pay school fees for them and for basic needs.
At some point, her father had told her she join them in casual work. That was not the best option for Monicah but she had no otherwise. By sheer luck, she met with one of the community leader, Mr.James Kamiri through a church mate who informed her of the available scholarships offered at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. He suggested she apply for the scholarship and she was picked as one of the successful applicants.
Monicah’s favourite subjects in school are Christian Religious Education, Computer and Biology. She would like to be a University lecturer. She looks forward to being a role model to other girls in her community. She wants to challenge them to remain focused and push for their goals and encourage them not to let their family backgrounds to deter them from achieving their goals.
Monicah’s favourite teachers are Madam Faith the school Principal, Computer teacher, Mr.Ngatia and Madam Claire, English teacher. Monicah loves how they teach with a lot of passion understand their subject matter.
Monicah considers her older brother Stephen who is pursuing his Accounts degree as the most important person in her life. He challenges her to remain focused on her studies and be the best. He also assists her a lot in some subjects especially Mathematics.
Some of the greatest challenges Monicah faces is sometimes having to go to school without shopping and sometimes lack food at home.
During school breaks, she assists with house chores and sometimes joins her parents for casual work.
Monicah loves the tranquillity that exists in Kenya. However, she detests the high rate of corruption in the country and feels strict measures should be put by law enforcers to curb this.
Water and electricity are major challenges in her community and hopes when she pursues her career she will be in a position to lobby for projects on these two areas.
Monicah would like to thank her donors and wishes them well in their endeavours. “Were it for the scholarship, she would have either joined her parents in casual work or else start working as a house girl.”Utters Monicah with a smile on her face.
