Name: Toningen Lekising
School: Meru Boys High School
Community: Depatas
I am Toningen Lekising, born in 2005, from Laikipia County in a family of four siblings, my parents, and I reside in the small village of Segera Gate. In our community, diverse economic activities are practiced, including farming various crops and raising cattle and sheep. Unity, peace, and wholehearted support are values deeply embraced by my community, fostering a strong sense of teamwork.
At the age of four, I was enrolled in a nearby school, which I welcomed as a stepping stone for my future. Joining The Jane Goodall African Academy, I learned the basics of reading, writing, and numbers. With this foundation, I excelled in both English and Kiswahili. In 2013, I commenced my primary education, striving hard despite occasional setbacks, always reminding myself of the importance of hard work. Ultimately, I performed well in my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and earned a full scholarship from PA-MOJA scholars.
Currently, I am attending Meru School and am set to complete my high school studies, aiming for high grades in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and seeking opportunities for higher education at the university level.
My journey, both academically and socially, has been marked by challenges, but I’ve remained resilient. I faced transportation difficulties, traversing long distances to school on foot, and encountered wildlife threats like elephants and buffaloes. However, I confronted these challenges bravely for my betterment and that of society.
In my achievements, I emerged as the top student at my primary school, actively engaged in charitable and environmental groups, providing aid to the needy and contributing to environmental conservation by planting trees and safeguarding water sources.
My passion lies in sciences and technology, preparing me for the future and society’s benefit. Science stimulates innovation, revolutionizes living, facilitates medical advancements, problem-solving, and enhances transport and communication systems.
In the future, I aspire to foster a society where love, peace, hope, and integrity prevail, rejecting discrimination in all aspects of life. I aim to be an agent of change, encouraging goal-oriented lives and cultivating leadership among fellow citizens.
Beyond academics, I engage in hobbies that gear me towards a positive life. I am fond of inspirational quotes and enjoy adventurous trips across Kenya, which help me understand my country’s heritage and landscapes.
My career aspiration is to become an electrical engineer, a field I love due to its reliance on sciences and mathematics, offering solutions to societal problems and providing a conducive environment for others.
In school, I thrive in science subjects, envisioning a better future for society, equipped with the knowledge to tackle issues like global warming, droughts, and famines. Sciences prepare individuals to confront life’s myriad challenges.
Story from 2021
Toningen in Form 2 (Grade 10) in 2021
Toningen lives with his parents and five siblings in Depatas village Segera location. He is the second born in his family. His father is a casual worker at a nearby horticulture farm making him the sole breadwinner. His mother is a housewife. They live in a small semi-permanent house. In Toningen’s community pastoralism is the main economic activity however his family is not able to gain income through the activity because their animals died after a prolonged dry spell. This did not deter his parent’s goal to educate their children though it has come with a cost of Toningen having to repeat several classes in order to allow his elder brother who is now in post-secondary education to complete his secondary school.
Toningen has always dreamt of becoming an engineer after completing his studies .“I would like to become an electrical engineer and earn a big salary that will help me relieve my dad from the hard labour” Says Toningen.
He is very thankful to his donors and says that this is a chance to prove to the world that no matter what his past has been like, there is always a better tomorrow.
