- Mramba, the first born in a family of three, expressed his joy and gratitude to the advocate.
- He hopes to pursue Medicine once he’s done with his secondary school education and become a doctor.
Image: CHETI PRAXIDES
Image: CHETI PRAXIDES
A Kilifi boy whose plight the Star highlighted after he failed to join Form 1 for lack of fees has now received a scholarship for both his secondary and university education.
John Mramba, 17, scored 348 marks in last year's KCPE exam and got an admission to Ribe Boys national school.
But the Kadzandani villager in Magarini constituency had been unable to join secondary school for lack of fees.
His luck however changed when the Star highlighted his plight attracting the attention of Kilifi-based advocate and philanthropist Caroline Chilango, who promised to cater to the boy’s education up to university.
Mramba, the first born in a family of three, expressed his joy and gratitude to the advocate whom he described as an angel who was sent just in the nick of time to help him join school.
He hopes to pursue Medicine once he’s done with his secondary school education and become a doctor.
“I am so happy and grateful to madam Caroline Chilango. I had given up on ever joining high school and she came through for me. She obtained admission for me in a school I never dreamt of, did my shopping and took me to school herself. All I can say is asante and may she never lack,” Mramba said.
His father, Mramba Jefwa, 42, is a former wine tapper who was forced out of the trade nine years ago after he fell from a 20 meter high palm-tree and broke his spine. He has been wheelchair-bound ever since.
“I didn't know that someone who doesn’t know you can do so much beyond your wildest expectations. My son is in school and I am happy and grateful to this woman. I pray that her pockets never run dry,” Jefwa said.
Chilango is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public and a Certified Secretary.
On why she chose to help Mramba pursue his education, Chilango said Mramba’s case is similar to that of six out of every 10 children in Kilifi county where poverty has limited the right to education. She said majority of the population are unable to afford a meal, let alone take their children to school all the way to completion.
“That limits 100 per cent transition. This is my own way of making impact to change the narrative here in Kilifi because I believe when you educate a child, you put an end to generational poverty,” Chilango said.
The advocate who also practices broiler and pig farming on the side, promised to ensure Mramba lives to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.
“It is a full scholarship which means, I will cater for all his fees for the four years and up to university and all other needs to make his educational journey as comfortable as can be. I will see to it that he realises his dream of becoming a doctor,” she said.
Chilango who is equally sponsoring scores of other students at Kombeni Girls, Ribe Boys, Katana Ngala Secondary school, Roka Secondary school, St.Thomas Girls High school and Shimo Boys says she uses her own money and partly fundraises through friends to help needy cases.
“I am in the process of registering a foundation—The Caroline Chilango Foundation—and once registered, we will be able to solicit for donor support to enable us cater for a larger group of needy students.”
Image: CHETI PRAXIDES