Dream cut short-Baringo Form One student cry for help

A student in Uasin Gishu who scored 384 marks in the recently completed Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) might not be able to join high school to pursue his academic dreams since his single mother cannot afford his school fees.

Ian Komosiong Maraka, 16,who was a candidate at Gracious Jewels School in Eldoret has been admitted to Baringo High School but risks losing the position due to lack of school fees.

Maraka was scheduled to join school on August 2, but has not yet managed to do so for lack of money.

His mother, Esther Akiru, a single mother, has appealed to well-wishers to come to her aid.

Akiru said that she is depending on her cousin, a fruit vendor, after moving in with her at her rented iron sheeted single room in Hawaii as she cannot afford rent.

Akiru said that she was renting a house in Munyaka estate before moving into her cousin’s house six months ago.

At Munyaka, she would do casual jobs like laundry which would help her sustain her family.

It was at Munyaka that the head teacher of Gracious Jewels School saw Maraka’s potential and offered to enroll him at his school where he would help raise his school fee until he completed his primary school education.

But the P1 teacher now says that he cannot be able to raise high school fees while calling out to well-wishers to help the bright boy get admission and continue with his studies.

Akiru said that her younger child is suffering from spinal cord tuberculosis and lung problems that necessitate the two-year old to depend on oxygen support.

Her daughter was recently discharged after spending more than two months in hospital.

Akiru had to request her church members to help her offset the medical bill which had accrued to over Sh184,000.

Her daughter’s condition, which is critical, cannot allow her to juggle between taking care of the sick child and doing casual jobs to support her family.

“I cannot leave the house now to hustle as I have to keep an eye on the sick child since no one else can take care of her. I have no money at all. I cannot even pay rent or food for my family. My ailing daughter has been skipping clinic checkups because I cannot afford bus fare to the hospital,” said Akiru.

Akiru now fears that her son might lose his position at the school if he continues staying at home.

“I am afraid I have let my son down and I have no other option. If he is not helped he will not be able to join school and he might miss his admission to the national school that he has longed to join,” said Akiru.

According to Maraka’s primary teacher Charles Musau, the boy’s family applied for scholarships from various organizations including Equity Bank’s Wings to Fly but were unsuccessful. He has also applied for bursaries but has not been successful.

“He went through all the interviews and passed well. Representatives from various organizations also visited the family but there was no communication afterwards,” said Musau.

Maraka while holding his admission documents said that lack of school is dimming his hopes of excelling in high school to study medicine.

He is however hopeful that he will get a Good Samaritan to help him join school like his peers.

“I’m pleased to inform you that you have been selected to join form one in our school. Congratulations,” the Baringo High School admission letter reads in part.

According to the school’s fees structure, more than Sh37, 000 is required for him to join form one as term one fees including other basic necessities.

Since form one admissions began, I have feared that I might not get a chance to achieve my dreams like my peers who are already in school and their lives are moving on well. I want to study hard and come back to assist my mother and sister,” said Maraka.

He scored: A (Plain) in English, Kiswahili (A-), Mathematics (A-), Science (B) and Social Studies and Religious Education (A-).