A mother is seeking help from well-wishers to enable her daughter join university after stellar performance in the 2024 KCSE exam.
Ruth Auma, a single mother of three and living in Oyugis town, said she is worried that if help doesn’t come, her first-born daughter will not join university.
Velma Adhiambo attained a mean grade of A- (minus).
Auma said her daughter was only able to go through secondary school because the institution's principal helped.
Adhiambo said she received an admission letter to join the University of Nairobi to study Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry.
“I am due to report for studies in two weeks but I don’t see myself going,” she said when journalists caught up with her at her former school, where she had gone to seek help.
Adhiambo said her mother does not have any property to sell and they live in Oyugis Kawahindi slums.
“I'm appealing for help so I can pursue my academic dream,” she said.
Her mother does menial jobs like washing clothes for people to cater to her children needs.
“Sometimes I work at the neighbours’ farms,” she said, adding that her two other daughters are in Grade 9.
“Life is really tough for me.”
Auma said she differed with the children’s father 12 years ago when Adhiambo was in Standard 2.
“We could not stay together because my husband was not happy with me after I only gave birth to girls,” she said.
After parting ways, she has been staying in Oyugis.
She said Adhiambo went to Oyugis Primary School where she sat her KCPE exam, scoring 359 marks.
“She was called to join Migingo Girls, but I could not raise enough money to take her there. She instead joined Agoro Sare Mixed Day School here in Oyugis,” Auma said.
Agoro Sare Mixed’s principal Joseph Ayieko said Adhiambo has been doing well in her studies since she joined Form 1 in 2021.
“She was always at the top of her class,” he said.
Ayieko said Auma could not afford to pay school fees for her daughter and the school has been helping her since.
The principal said given her determination, as a principal he could not send her away. He said together with the school management they had to find a way of accommodating her.
Ayieko said he is happy at the end of it all, Adhiambo did not disappoint.
“In the 2024 KCSE exams, Adhiambo achieved exemplary result. She is the first girl to score an overall mean grade of A- minus of 76 points in the school,” the principal said.
He said he wishes he could continue supporting her but said there are other students in the school who have similar challenges and need help.
“I call upon any willing well-wisher to come in and support the girl to join university. She is disciplined and focused,” the principal said.
Anybody who would wish to help can reach the family through Ruth Otieno, on phone no. 0791867021
