Bessy Gakii, from Antubanthea village in Igembe North Constituency had almost lost hope that she would get an opportunity to advance her education after sitting her grade 9 exams.
After the results were released her friends proceeded to various schools for grade 10 level of education while she remained at home due to financial handicap facing her family.
But hope dawned on Bessy Gakii after a good Samaritan, Elizabeth Karambu Kailemia stepped in to sponsor her education despite being out of school for a couple of months due to poverty.
Bessy has remained at home while the rest of her classmates joined Grade 10 in January as her widowed mother struggled to raise part of the required school fees without success.
Thanks to Karambu, she will now continue with her studies at Bishop Njiru Girls Kangeta under a full scholarship sponsored through the Mama Safi Foundation.
Kailemia visited the family and provided school uniform together with other learning materials before facilitating the girl’s admission to the school.
Speaking during the visit, Kailemia said supporting vulnerable children to access education was a duty aimed at transforming lives and not a political strategy.
“I am not looking for votes when I sponsor children for school. I will be glad if Blessy lives a good life courtesy of me,” she said.
The Woman Representative thanked businessman Henry Emma for linking her office to the family and urged communities to support vulnerable members of society.
“Each one of us has been blessed in a different way. Let us play our role accordingly,” she said.
Bessy’s mother, Christine Mamii, narrated the struggles she has faced raising her children after the death of her husband.
She said her husband’s relatives later chased them away from their matrimonial home, forcing her to seek refuge at her parents’ home.
The widowed mother of three said she has since been struggling to educate and provide for her children.
“We were chased away by my husband’s relatives. Thank you for coming through for us,” she said.
Residents who accompanied the family during the visit praised Kailemia for supporting needy learners and vulnerable families in the area.
Pamela Mbiti said residents had for years heard leaders make promises without action, adding that the assistance offered to the family had restored hope within the village.
“We have been hearing leadership, but now we are experiencing it. We will support you as a village because we recognise actions,” she said.
Youth representatives Enock Mutharimi and Samson Kalawa from the Office of the Woman Representative also thanked Kailemia for standing with residents during difficult moments.
Kailemia further pledged support for women groups and backed proposals seeking free education from primary to secondary school level.
“No child should fail to attend school because of lack of fees,” she said. Bessy Gakii thanked the leaders for supporting her education and promised to work hard in school to help improve her family’s future.
“I promise to work hard to change my family’s situation,” she said.
by Kamanja Maeria
