- The 53-year-old woman did her KCPE exam in 1979 but unfortunately she did not proceed to secondary
- Besides being a student, she a professional tailor and counsellor
The oldest Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidate in Busia County Pasiliza Anyango has set a target of scoring Mean Grade of A (Plain) or least B+.
The St Mary’s Burumba Secondary student reveals she is adequately prepared for the forthcoming national examinations.
Her desire is to pass secondary examination and undertake Conflict Management course in a reputable Universality. She has good command of the queen’s language.
The 53-year-old woman did her Certificate of Primary Education in 1979 but unfortunately she did not proceed to secondary.
“Those days girls were not allowed to go to secondary but to get married immediately but I was a bright child,” she said.
Ms Anyango has, however, shocked people how she balances her learning and other daily activities.
Besides being a student, she a professional tailor, counsellor, takes care of street urchins, women leader in church at the same time.
“It is extremely difficult to balance all these things and ensure that nothing stops because you are not around. I sleep late and wake up very early,” she said.
Ms Anyango wakes up as early as 6am to report to her tailor shop and organize work plan for her employees before leaving for classes at 8am.
“Before I go to school I must check on the children I am taking care of to ensure that they are fine and have food since they consider me their mother,” she observed.
The school’s Head Teacher Isaac Wandera disclosed that Pasiliza Anyango is a disciplined student and always pays attention.
“She helps us in offering advice to other students to work hard. Majority of our students feel challenged and she tells them to work hard in class,” he said.
Her favourite subjects are Christian Religious Education (CRE) and History. At school she offers advice to fellow students to work hard. Ms Anyango did not join Form One but went straight to Form Two.
She disclosed that life was tough. She could not understand anything in her first year of education but put on a brave face.
“I could not grasp anything the year I joined secondary in Form Two in 2014 but the following year now in Forth Three I started understanding what teachers were teaching. Right now I am okay and ready for the exams,” Anyango added.
She did her tailoring course at the Butula Polytechnic in 1988. It is through tailoring job that she managed to get money to educate her nine children who have all gone to upper learning institutions.
For instance Velma Okaron holds Masters in Genetics from University of Eldoret, Shallom Paulene holds Masters in Skills and Communication from the University of Nairobi.
Others Helen Okaron is a Civil Engineer and Faith Okaron did her degree at the Maseno University specialized in pure mathematics.
Pauline is currently in-charge of the content at the mobile based platform Eneza Education that educates students.
Velma described her mother,” Industrious, friend, mentor, God loving and the best mother.” “I am wishing my mother best of luck in her forthcoming national examination and I am sure she is going to pass with flying clours,” adds Velma.
She avers that decision to go back to school was after one of her friends urged her to get KCSE certificate owing to her affinity in reading.
She has brought up her children in a Christian way. The first response to her children whenever they call her is “praise the name of the living God” before they proceed with conversation.
“Learning has no age limit and that is why one of my friends told me I can do better if I get KCSE certificate that is why I went back to school. She does not regret failing to pursue secondary education after doing her CPE. She was born in Swololo in Butula constituency in 1964.
