From Street-Boy to Duke University: This is how Josphat-Loukot made it

When Josphat Loukot was nine-years-old, his parents separated. Unable to cope with the harsh situation he found himself in, coupled with the harsh Baringo County terrain, the young boy fled to the streets for refuge. Unfortunately, his move ended with him subsisting on leftovers, lunch offers and petty theft. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Loukot retained his interest in acquiring an education.

To actualise his dream, Josphat left the streets under the patronage of Full Gospel Churches of Kenya in Noiwet. Soon after, he joined Noiwet Primary School in 2004 under guidance of one community elder. Even with a benefactor, Loukot’s educational journey was packed with hurdles. Fitting in school was a challenge. While on the streets, Josphat had contracted chest problems and body scars. The scars especially caused him grief as his classmate’s continuously poked fun at him. Despite this, Josphat worked hard and scored 393 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams. Meanwhile, his mother had won the trust of a section villagers who built a house for her family and ensured she had a steady supply of menial jobs such as cleaning the local slaughterhouse, tilling people’s farms and burning charcoal.