A young man, who has pulled out of poverty through the donation of a seedling bed by a kind neighbour and managed to pay his school fees from the sales, has acknowledged that it was possible for one to pull out of poverty by commitment to what they are doing.
Speaking to KNA, Kelvin Cheruiyot said his mother abandoned them with his three siblings due to their father’s heavy drinking and irresponsibility. However, a kind neighbour donated a seedling farm with a number of trees.
He said: “When Dr. Henry Rotich donated the seedling bed and told me to utilize it for our daily upkeep I took up the challenge seriously, and will be forever grateful. And it was good that he decided to give me a continuous earning source, instead of handouts.’’
Cheruiyot who is a form four leaver said he has managed to pay school fees for his siblings and bought a cow, and the profits from the seedlings and sale of milk has enabled him to purchase a motorcycle to augment his earnings.
He appealed to leaders and philanthropists who want to assist to extend a fishing hook and net to the younger generation, instead of giving handouts, which cannot change poor people’s lives.
Dr. Rotich who assisted the young man said when their mother deserted them he knew their survival depended on his actions since they are his. Neighbours.
“The challenge I had was either to ignore them and continue with my life or step in and be their Good Samaritan, and I chose the latter,” he stated.
He said the President’s speech during Madaraka day, asking Wananchi to dream, touched him and he is glad that he has contributed to the survival and rejuvenation of four young men, who required assistance.
However, he said what sets young Cheruiyot apart from majority of the younger generation was obedience and a hard-working spirit, which has convinced him that even without his assistance, the young man’s characteristics were likely to attract providence.
Rotich appealed to the younger generation to dream big but ensure that their characteristics were not built on a shaky foundation, such as drinking, stealing and recklessness.
By Veronica Bosibori
