Kisumu girl who nearly died by suicide joins Form One after CS Jumwa pays her fees

A 15-year-old girl from Ombeyi village in Kisumu county, who lacked school fees to join Form One, can now face her future with hope after Gender and Culture Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa came to her rescue.

Esther Atieno Oduor who scored 284 marks in last year's KCPE exam, has been staying at home in the Muhoroni subcounty with minimal hope of fulfilling her education dream.

She nearly died by suicide according to her father Dancun Oduor, a boda boda rider, after they could not raise school fees.

Atieno's courage paid off after she boldly approached the CS to help her join Form One.

Jumwa, who was touched by Atieno's story and impressed by her courage, gave her Sh30,000 to buy the required school items to join Koru Girls High School.

She also directed the National Government Affirmative Action Fund Chief Executive Officer Roy Telewa to pay a Sh56,000, fee for the whole year.

Jumwa pledged that she will henceforth pay school fees for Atieno through the Aisha Jumwa Foundation for the next four years.

"From today, I'm going to take care of your education. My foundation is not only supporting children in Kilifi county but the country at large," she said.

Jumwa said education was the best investment that parents and well-wishers can give to the children, especially the bright and needy.

The CS noted that she will closely and personally monitor the performance of the girl.

Jumwa asked the area chief to ensure the girl reported to school. She urged Atieno to work hard and focus on her studies to transform her future.

Atieno, who was required to report to school on January 15, expressed joy and thanked Jumwa for the kind gesture.

"I never saw this kind of support coming my way. I'm very happy now that I can go to school to fulfil my dream," she said.

The girl has been having sleepless nights after the parents could not raise fees while other students were already learning. She promised to work hard on her studies.

Oduor praised Jumwa for supporting her daughter's fees.

"I'm a boda boda operator to feed my family. My daughter almost died by suicide as we could not raise the money to take her to school."