Saving students' dreams

Keziah Munyao awarded the Best Student award at The Management University of Africa award with Bidco CEO Vimal Shah last year

Nairobi; Kenya: It is hard to correctly guess Keziah Munyao’s age. She could pass for a teenager, but her poise, dressing and eloquence as we talk at the Management University of Africa (MUA) offices are those of someone older.

She tells me she is 20. She is a fourth year Business Management and Leadership student, and is on a work-study programme at the university’s Development Fund office. She is also part of an initiative to help needy students fund their studies.

It all started with one John Kiptarus.

Keziah met John at the beginning of the year when he went to fill his university admission forms.

The young man scored an A-minus in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations two years ago, but could not afford university fees. He was advised to speak to the Development Fund office, which helps bright but needy students get scholarships.

John explained to Keziah and the office’s director, Judy Ngayu, his struggles and dreams.

“I admired his zeal; he believed in himself and believed we could help him achieve his goals. Not just anyone walks in with that kind of confidence,” Keziah begins.

John, who comes from Cherangany, lost his parents six years ago, when he was 14 years old. His eldest sibling got married at 17. She died last year, leaving three children.

GUARDIAN

Their father wanted nothing to do with the children afterwards, and relocated to Kitale, where he remarried. Thus, John is the guardian of the children and his three younger siblings.

The bright young man has not left his difficult circumstances hold him back. He managed to pay his secondary school fees through the assistance of this head teacher and other well-wishers.

His inspiring story led Keziah and the Development Fund team to start a student-led initiative called Save John’s Dream.

The initiative is meant to raise funds to pay John’s school fees, help his family and also assist other young people who cannot afford to go to university.

Keziah and her fellow students plan to sell T-shirts, mugs, stickers and other items as well as offer services such as car washing to reach their target of Sh10 million.

Most of these activities are scheduled for November 8 at MUA.

It might seem a lofty goal to some, but the students are confident it can be done.

“Our efforts will not go to waste; he is very intelligent and wants to study management to help him run a community-based organisation for those going through what he has,” Keziah says enthusiastically.

The students hope to hold the event annually.