Of all the great things life would offer, UKR’s support towards Consolata’s education stands out as one of the best highlights of her life.
Charismatic as she is, this meant to her that the doors towards greatness in life had opened and she could achieve her long term dream of being a pediatrician.
Having been raised by a single mother, there were days when the mother found it difficult to provide for her basic needs especially providing for her educational needs. Academically, she was bright and all her hopes for a brighter future clung on her academics.
Consolata’s good grades saw her earn a spot in our education program in the year 2011 when she was in grade 6, receiving support in school fees, school levies, stationery, revision books among other school requirement right from elementary school to high school through to tertiary level.
“I am so grateful for the sponsors. They made my high school life so simple by catering for everything I needed. I was comfortable. I never lacked [school requirements] because of them. They were doing a great job,” said Consolata.
This was an opportunity of a lifetime to her because it was the chance for her to change her life and that of her family. A chance to shine, explore her potential ,and all-in-all fulfill that longtime dream of being a pediatrician.
Sadly, while in Form 3 at Friends School Kaimosi Girls, her mother passed on. This was one of the lowest moments in her life. She was left under the care of her grandmother in Hamisi who passed on shortly after the death of her mother. Her aunt took up the role of taking care of her and she has been living with her aunt since then in Kitale.
She braved through the period and gave her best in school. With the support in revision books and upkeep money, it provided her with the perfect grounds and motivation to read and learn. She delved into books and eventually her hard work paid off.
After sitting for her high school exit exams Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Consolata scored a B (plain) earning her direct university entry with partial government scholarship at University of Kabianga, Kaptatet campus in Kericho to pursue Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine.
Consolata’s career choice was fueled by events in her high school life. When she was in Form 4 she was often sick and in and out of hospital. She is grateful that UKR helped her offset the medical bills. Her passion for children too drove her into the profession.
Transitioning into university counts as one of the best moments of her life. It was an eye opener. With that, she was actually a step further into achieving her goals.
UKR supported Consolata throughout her 4 years in university with school fees and upkeep money, a support she says was of great impact in her academics that she will forever be grateful for.
Consolata says that the most rewarding part about working in medicine is not diagnoses or triage, but bringing hope to a patient and their family.
“I love the emotional part of it, then the physical part. The most interesting part is the caring part,” she said.
When not in class, Consolata pursues her other interest in cooking. On some weekends she is called to provide catering services where she earns a small income that helps cater for some of her expenses. There are times when she sells sausages as an income generating activity.
Consolata plans on advancing her education further by pursuing a masters in pediatrics and specializing in treating children.
Consolata is hopeful in the coming days, given the chance, she can give back to the society by treating children in UKR program when they fall sick. She says it will be an opportunity to lend a helping hand to the UKR fraternity that greatly helped her.
“It will give me joy to give back to the society as a medical assistant at United Kenya Rising, to help kids in the program. I want to help them in that when they are sick, I am there to help them for the first aid and basic treatment,” she said.
Consolata successfully graduated on 10th November, 2022. She is due to sit for her Clinical Officer Council exams in September, 2023 as per the laws governing practicing clinical medicine. After the exams she will proceed to do a one-year internship in a hospital and afterwards receive the license from the body to fully and legally practice clinical medicine.
Reflecting on the events of her life, Consolata heaps praises and appreciation for the support United Kenya Rising has accorded her. She is thankful for the support she has received.
“If it were not for UKR, I don’t think I would have been here. I say thank you and may God bless UKR,” she concludes.
