It has been a journey of resilience because, despite all odds, Lerkynes Mmoji, a nineteen-year-old graduate of Moi Girls Vokoli has managed to score an exemplary grade and secure direct university admission with a partial government scholarship.
Lerkynes has been called to pursue International Tourism Management at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, several hours from her home.
Lerkynes hails from Kobujoi village, Nandi county where she lives with her family which is headed by her mother, Rose Kenda who is a widow. Lerkynes’ father passed on back in 2005. The family also comprises her sister Jacinta who is twenty-three years, her younger brother Lenin who is sixteen years and Jacinta’s baby who is seven months.
Lerkynes has been a beneficiary of the United Kenya Rising high school sponsorship program since 2018 when she performed exemplary in her Primary Education final exams and got direct admission to a prestigious public high school called Moi Girl Vokoli.
United Kenya Rising has since been facilitating Lerkynes’ high school education and her sister Jacinta’s education from elementary school through to tertiary education. Jacinta is pursuing Education with a CRE and Home Science major at the University of Eldoret. Jacinta is in her final year of study and awaiting an internship before she can finally graduate.
UKR provided Lerkynes with all the school requirements including school fees, school levies, pocket money, stationery, and revision books among other requirements throughout her 4 years in high school.
She admits that the facilitation enabled her to study more at peace, knowing that she wouldn’t be sent home for school fees. This also gave her the advantage and chance to produce good academic results.
With the burden of educating her two children having been eased from Rose, she was able to purchase a one-and-a-half-points plot (1/8 acres) where she was able to build a five-roomed semi-permanent house with the profits she got from her tailoring business. The plot also provided a minimal space where the family planted a variety of crops and practice poultry, therefore getting at least three meals a day.
Lerkynes’ school performance is considered impressive as she has had it rough in her upbringing environment. The energy at the original home of the Mmoji’s turned toxic after the father’s death in 2005. Lerkynes’ uncles felt that it was a burden to them for the Lerkynes family to continue residing at the homestead in their father’s absence.
The uncles pushed Lerkynes’ family out of their homestead forcing them to flee and settle in Nandi County where Rose first rented a house and gradually started saving and eventually bought a small piece of land in which she constructed a house. The family currently leaves peacefully on that land.
Rose’s strength to fend for and protect her children is what Lerkynes admires most and does everything to mimic her footsteps. She says she owes her success to her mum. Rose taught Lerkynes to sew and the skill gave her an upper hand in home science subject in school which she scored an A plain.
Lerkynes is also grateful to her home science teacher who guided her morally to always remain disciplined and focused on her studies.
Lerkynes appreciates UKR for the vital role they played in making her realize her goals and the support they have accorded her. It has meant a lot to her.
Lerkynes’ family lacks enough funds to facilitate her university studies. Her mother depends on the tailoring business which has not been able to register enough profits that could enable her to cater to her daughter’s university education.
UKR has taken the uphill task of supporting Lerkynes’ university education. UKR has provided her with university fees, levies, a laptop, and upkeep money for her first year of university which will be helpful as she embarks on the next chapter of her education journey.
“I’m so amazed. I’m happy with the institution (JOOUST). I’m grateful for UKR’s support. I’m looking forward to achieving a lot in the tourism and hospitality sector and by God’s grace in the long run, also give back to society,” said Lerkynes upon admission into the university.
Lerkynes will join the list of other students who have benefited from UKR’s university and college scholarship program which has aided a lot of students to achieve their goals and realize their lifelong dreams.
Other than being academically bright, she is talented in public speaking and has a skill in sewing which she started practicing at the early age of seven years. Her mother has given her a sewing machine from her three sets where she does repairs on torn clothes for villagers at a small fee.
Lerkynes’ ambition to change the situation at home is what has been her driving force to work harder and secure a brighter future. She also aspires to found a caregiving home for the less fortunate and give back to the community.
Lerkynes has also been planting indigenous vegetables which she sells at the local market for profit. She saves the profit and hopes it will help her cater to her daily expenses while in the university.
Lerkynes is a bright and ambitious student with great potential. She is the epitome of the saying, “hard work pays.”
