A national girls’ school in Siaya has for the past week been forced to make the hard decision of admitting destitute students who report without any requirement in order to save them from sliding into oblivion.
According to the principal of Ng’iya Girls’ School, Hellen Juma, so far, four girls have been admitted into the institution with nothing but hope that all will be well and well-wishers will come forward to help cater for their educational needs.
“I now have four girls in school who need support. Some came with nothing and I could not send them back home because that could have been the end for their journey in school. I appeal for well-wishers and other organizations to help these students access education,” the Principal said.
Among the latest to be admitted is Frazier Anyango Odhiambo, a former pupil at St. Teresa primary school in Busia town who trooped into the school with only a bag and ten exercise books.
Accompanied by her mother, the young girl pleaded for support to enable her join the school she was selected to join after scoring 378 marks in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination.
“My mother has tried everything but in vain. The little she gets from washing clothes for people can only buy us food that we even miss occasionally,” she said while trying to hold back tears.
Her mother, Wendy Onyango said she was forced to plead with a neighbor to lend her fare to Siaya to take Frazier to Ng’iya following persistent questions from her daughter whether she will join Form One or not.
“I was forced to come with her despite lacking the requirements as she has been persistently pestering me with the question,” she said.
Wendy, a single mother of three says that she does menial jobs like washing clothes for people and many are times that she goes without any job.
She says that she applied for various scholarships without success and the closest they came was when Elimu Scholarship invited Frazier for an interview.
According to Ng’iya girls’ school principal, Frazier reported that without the requirements and the school has to look at how it will assist her.
“The way I look at this parent’s situation, if I allow this girl to go back and come with even a fraction of the requirements, this will be her last time here or even in any educational institution,” said the principal.
The principal said that the school will provide the girl with a uniform while she will buy her shoes as an individual.
Ms. Juma says that Frazier joins the list of other girls, among them Gloria Adhiambo Owino who had earlier been placed at Lenana School after managing 389 marks and was also from a very humble background.
She says that though some well-wishers, among them Alego–Usonga member of parliament Samuel Atandi has so far come to the aid of Gloria, there was need for more support to enable the girls from poor backgrounds to continue with their education.
“There are also three others whom we have managed to assist in one way or the other” said the principal.
By Philip Onyango
