Name: Maama Lenganan
Age: 16 years
School: St.Michael Kabaa Secondary School
Grade: 10 (will enter grade 11 in July 2021)
Throughout his life, Maama has been the brightest student in any classroom he walks into. This is still evident in his secondary school performance. In the past, he skipped a grade since his teachers realized he was punching way below his weight and when he graduated primary school, he was the best student in the school to nobody’s surprise.
Maama was brought up by a single mum after his dad lost his life in tribal clashes. That is clearly a harder start to life than most of us have had. However, Maama has made the best of it. He was born at his grandmother’s place as the second born, he remembers how difficult life was often even the basics were hard to come by. His mother was suffering from depression due to his father’s untimely death while his grandmother was not working due to his old age. At seven years old Maama had not yet joined school due to lack of fees, but one day luck knocked on their door. A group of donors was starting a primary school in their area. They were going around the villages looking for students to enroll in the new school. That’s how Lenganan got a chance to join the school.
Throughout his life, Maama has been the brightest student in any classroom he walks into. This is still evident in his secondary school performance. In the past, he skipped a class since his teachers realized he was punching way below his weight and when he graduated primary school, he was the best student in the school to nobody’s surprise. However, owing to his family’s limited financial power, joining secondary school was like a dream far-fetched. His mother approached well-wishers but all proved futile not until their church pastor informed them of Ol Pejeta-PA-MOJA scholarships. They applied through the community representative and he was one of the few who qualified.
In the future, he would like to be a doctor and it is his wish to start a hospital in his community. Accessing medical care in his community often difficult. Hospitals are far away and the majority of community members rely on traditional methods which are way less effective.
He also hopes to improve road networks in his community and he is outspoken against FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) which is a common practice in his community. He believes it lowers the dignity of women.
Lenganan loves reading storybooks, playing volleyball and socializing during his free time.
Thank you message to the donors,” I think I was born under a lucky star. I never imagined I will ever join a secondary school but you have enabled me to. I wish to express my gratitude for giving me the opportunity and believing in my abilities. I promise to work hard and never let you down.”
