The plea of a Kenyan youth yearning to go to college

I am Joshua Odhiambo Onguta, a Kenyan citizen living in Siaya county Rarieda sub-County. It was in the year 2014 when I resat the KCSE after close to five years of staying at home after my first sitting in which I had scored a B plain at the Eastleigh based Maina Wanjigi secondary school in Nairobi. I scored an A-minus in the KCSE. I was placed by KUCCPS to pursue a BSc in Actuarial science with IT at Maseno University the following year. It appeared to me that I had now got a breakthrough in my aspiration to pursue higher education in my quest to be a highly sought for and distinguished scholar and professional in either law or actuarial field. I didn't know what awaited me in the next five to six years.

My uncle had decided to drop his unconditional support for my education. He had learnt I was too obsessed with success in my academic endeavor that I became too ambitious, so I did not deserve his financial help. In his efforts to break my heart, he told me to go to the university and defer at the very last minute - Four hours to reporting day. I got the text at four in the morning. This made my heart to sulk. I almost fainted while in bed. I had hoped to report to Maseno University for admission, for he had told me to tell him everything I wanted to report to college the previous day. I didn't know what came over him before he sent me the disheartening message.

I tried calling him at sun up, but he didn't answer. So I just organized myself borrowed a bus fare and went to Maseno to defer. That was my first time coming across the term defer studies. I did as he wanted, for he was the only one I had for financial help towards my academic journey. He had money and the heart to help me. He called me six months later and told me he would personally take me to college himself when the deferment period lapses. He did not do this as he had other financial burdens, so I went and deferred again. When this also lapsed, he told me that I am a grown-up and that I should fend for myself and look for money to pay fees, so I lost the opportunity to get admitted to the university that way.

Other things stood on my way too. The Principal of my former school refused to give me the photocopies of my result slip, which I could use to apply for help loan for I had fee arrears amounting to Ksh 41000. I tried persuading him to give me the photocopies to apply for a helb loan then pay the balance whence the loan is due, but he refused. I then resolved to look for job work and use the pay to pay my fees, but this didn't work out, for I did not even get any job in the first place. I then accepted any work to get the money to pay for my bills. I had been enslaved by poverty brought by neglect and a poor background besides jealousy.

My parents are generally poor. My dad is a farmer, and my mother a housewife. My father is sickling while my mother is suffering from arthritis. They have been this way since I was a child. My siblings and I have been living with different maternal relatives when we were Young. I am the breadwinner of our family from the odd jobs I do. The coronavirus pandemic is, however, making things difficult for me. I was planning to have a fundraiser for my school fees, but this can't work anytime soon, for we don't know the end of this pandemic. I am expecting to get an admission at Maseno University when the government lifts the lockdown in the education sector, for I had applied to be allowed back.

I am writing this article about myself to reach out to my portential sponsor. I hope that you see it in your deepest heart of generosity to sponsor my education at Maseno University, where I am battling to be readmitted after absconding studies for lack of fees or any university in Kenya and around the world. I want to pursue a career in Actuarial science or law with your financial help. When given the opportunity, I will use it to ensure that besides excelling in academics, I would also extend a helping hand to others facing the same dilemma in life once I get a job and start making money. I ask God the Almighty to touch your heart that you unconditionally support my studies financially and get gratitude and excellence as a reward. May you be uplifted even before you start taking me through this journey.

My email address is [email protected] phone number is 0746741298 and 0737675277. I accept any help from you, my well-wisher. Thank you in advance.