By Betty Luke
Two months after form Ones reported to secondary school, a family from Isiolo whose daughter scored 294 marks in her KCPE examination is in distress due to lack of funds to help her join Form One.
A 14-year-old Valentine Mbenzi who studied at Pepo la Tumaini Primary School in Bulapesa ward has been reduced to a house help for the family as her single mother cannot raise funds for her education.
“I am almost losing hope because my friends are in school studying to better their lives but I am here doing house chores,” Ms Mbenzi told journalists in Isiolo town.
The learner, who has received admission letters to Mikinduri and Kithirune Girls’ schools in Meru County, regretted having put a lot of effort to earn the marks but is now on the verge of never setting her foot in a Secondary School if no help comes her way.
“It pains me a lot because I put a lot of effort into my studies but now my mother cannot raise money to take me to school,” she said.
Her mother and family’s sole breadwinner, Ms Lucy Wedzuya, said providing for the family was quite an uphill task as she relied on menial jobs.
“I wash people’s clothes and houses to put food on the table. What I get is sometimes not enough even for food. I have nothing to sell. She loves studying but I have nothing to do,” said Ms Wedzuya.
The family has appealed to the well-wishers to come in and assist them to raise Sh72, 000 annual fees and shopping money so that the girl joins Form One.
Isiolo County Parents’ Associations chair Ismael Galma said there were several similar cases in the county and appealed to the government and well-wishers to come to their rescue.
He said several children who had managed to report to school had been sent home over school fees and that their parents could not afford anything due to the harsh economic times caused by Coronavirus.
“The government should come in and assist needy students who might not accomplish their dreams due to poverty,” he said.
