Being born and raised in a humble family comes with a lot of challenges. Children grow up without getting some privileges like good shelter, proper sanitation, sufficient food, and money to cater to their basic needs.
Sometimes kids born from such backgrounds often lose hope of excelling in life especially when there are no finances to support their education, a major contributor to being successful in life.
Maximillar , a 20 years old bright young woman is a rare case of children who manage to do well in education despite the family backgrounds they come from.
She has had her better share of tribulations especially with settling her primary school education fees. Her dad Solomon and her stepmother Sharon were both unemployed and found it a challenge providing all the needs of their three children; Peter, Maximillar, and Ruth.
School life for Maximillar became unfriendly, she was often sent home for not paying school fees and other school requirements. This made her bitter since she couldn’t concentrate in class. Most of the time she could cry helplessly and wondered how she could overcome the challenges she was facing.
“I was so bitter. Every time being sent home for school fees to an extent of other pupils making fun of me made me sad and angry. I could cry and pray to God for a breakthrough. My parents were not financially stable; they depended on doing manual jobs like breaking rocks to buy us food”, Stated Maximillar.
The struggle continued from class one up to class eight until when Maximillar was enrolled in UKR high school scholarship program. This brought a sigh of relief to her and her parents.
“When I joined UKR, I saw light at the end of the tunnel. I had bigger dreams of becoming a professor, dreams that I saw being shut by lack of school fees. I am grateful to my sponsors because everything I needed in school was catered for. This improved my performance and confidence to study well,” said Maximillar.
Maximillar performed outstandingly in her high school entry exams KCPE. She was among the top three in a class of 61 pupils. This earned her a chance to join St Clare Maragoli girls high school in Vihiga county. She was excited that she was going to study in a new environment, socialize and make new friends.
“My dream of becoming the first professor from my family was now taking shape. I promised myself to work way harder and make myself, my parents, and sponsors proud by performing well at the end of the four years,” narrated Maximillar.
At school, Maximillar performed well in her studies. Despite being sick much of the time, she utilized her time well, and always spent time revising during evening and morning preps. She was also disciplined in school, something that earned her a leadership role.
She was elected as Head of the student council in school (Head girl), a role that saw her explore leadership skills among her peers. Her high academic performance, discipline, and leadership skill was well articulated, and became an example other students were encouraged to emulate.
In March 2022, Maximillar sat for high school exit exams and produced an outstanding performance. She was among the best five students in her class. She was happy that she had performed well despite having health issues while at school. Her father couldn’t hold his joy.
“God has seen us through; I am grateful to UKR for the support they’ve given to my daughter throughout her secondary school education. I also want to thank my daughter for performing well, she has lifted my name higher,” narrated Solomon.
The family appreciates the support that UKR has accorded them. UKR also enrolled Maximillar’s brother Peter under its Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) program. Peter is pursuing a Certificate in plumbing at Mago Polytechnic.
Maximillar’s excellent performance has earned her university admission with partial government sponsorship at Rongo university in Migori to pursue Bachelor’s Degree in Education Arts, English literature option.
UKR will support Maximillar’s university education and help her realize her dreams. She has been supported with university fees, levies, a laptop, and upkeep money to aid her to go about with ease in her academics. With this, Maximillar is a step further toward achieving her ambitions and desires.
“I am so elated to be at Rongo university. It’s a new environment, I am meeting and making new friends. We have begun classes and it’s wonderful. I am enjoying every bit of experience here. It is a great university. Much appreciation to UKR for the support they have given me,” shared a joyful Maximillar who has commenced her studies at Rongo University.
Maximillar anticipates getting a distinction in her final university exams and hopes to eventually proceed with her education to become a professor. She is determined to work harder and achieve this. She also hopes to get a job after completing her university education and supporting her family. She plans to build her parents a modern house and also support less privileged children in her village by paying their school fees.
After completing high school education, Maximillar trained in computer skills in a local cyber café. She volunteered at the cyber cafe as an office assistant and in return, the owner offered her free basic computer skills classes, something that she stated would give her an upper hand on the campus since most of the assignments are done on the computer. She has also been helping her parents on the farm with planting, weeding, and harvesting maize.
She has become an admiration not only among her peers but also by everyone who knows her. A well-disciplined, ever-smiling, hardworking and jovial girl. She will definitely make a great member of society in her adulthood.
