From school dropout to street child, orphan and university graduate; this is my story

I was born in February 2000 as the fourth child in a family of six. We were raised by a single mother. Poverty was a constant companion during my formative years, and our life resembled the nomads' as we moved from place to place. My educational journey began at Kaharati Primary School, then took me to Wamahiga Primary School, followed by Maragua Primary School, and eventually Swani Primary School.

During my early schooling years, I stood out as a bright student, consistently occupying the top spot in my class. However, in December 2011 when I was in Class 6, our family faced a significant crisis that forced us to relocate to Juja, Kiambu County. This upheaval marked a new chapter in our struggle. We moved with no furniture or utensils, and my mother found herself without employment. As a result, my sister, Margaret Muthoni (second born), had to drop out of school in Form Two. I also abandoned school and found myself living in the streets of Juja. My brother, who was in Class Three, also quit school. In 2012, we struggled every day to survive; to stay alive. These circumstances were deeply frustrating for me as I had always dreamed of academic success and a meaningful role in society.

In 2013, our family relocated once again, this time to Kihiu Mwiri in Gatanga, Murang'a County. Life took a slight turn for the better as we secured a rented house for Sh300 per month. My mother also managed to put food on the table with the meagre income she earned from doing casual jobs on nearby farms, which paid her about Sh200 per day. At this juncture, my mother encouraged me to return to school and finish Class Eight.

She told me: "Go back to school, get the leaving certificate, perhaps you may find work as a watchman with the KCPE certificate." This was a ray of hope, considering my struggles on the streets. I enrolled at Swani Primary School, with the single-minded goal of completing Class Eight and securing a job as a watchman. Nevertheless, life was still challenging. I sometimes went without food or had to take plain boiled maize for lunch, an embarrassing contrast to my classmates' rice and vegetables.

In 2014, I wrote KCPE examination and to my surprise, I scored 297 marks. That was higher than I expected. My mother had already informed me she lacked the means to send me to secondary school. I did not dwell on the matter.

I went to a nearby quarry and began crushing ballast with a hammer. I earned Sh7 for every bucket of ballast. If I managed to crush ten buckets, I would make Sh70, which I would give to my mother to contribute to our dinner. The situation was challenging, and secondary education seemed like an unattainable dream.

In February 2015, I observed other students joining secondary school, clad in their new uniform; trousers, shirts and ties bearing school logos. I admired them from a distance but lacked the means to follow suit. Around that time, a rule was imposed in the quarries, prohibiting individuals under the age of 18 from working there due to concerns about students dropping out of school to engage in child labour. I was 15-years-old and was therefore a victim of this rule. Nevertheless, I found ways of sneak back to the quarries as there were no alternative means of survival.

My former classmates continued with their education, and I heard stories of them studying subjects like Chemistry, Geography, Biology, and Physics. The subjects sounded foreign, yet intriguing to me. One day, a friend named Mathew, who had also joined secondary school, invited me to accompany him to our primary school so that he could return some books and also take his leaving certificate. During our journey back, we came a across a familiar vehicle owned by Mr Ken Stephen Muchoki. We requested him to give us a ride. While in the cat, I mustered the courage to share my desire to attend high school with Mr Muchoki, even though he did not know me well. I told him that I scored 297 marks and aspired to join high school, but my mother lacked the means.

He asked me to seek admission form from the school I wished to attend, and he expressed his willingness to assist. However, I faced a significant hurdle, I couldn't afford the Sh1,000 required to get the admission letter. This obstacle prevented me from returning to him. A week later, Mr Muchoki, concerned about my situation, approached Ms Millan, his church mate, who knew me. She was sent to inform me that he wanted to meet me. With fear but determined, I met with him and explained my predicament. To my astonishment, he had already obtained a Swani Secondary School admission form for me. I was overjoyed. The following day, Mr Muchoki bought me brand new full school uniform and all the other necessities. He accompanied me to school, and with that, my education dream was reignited.

I joined Swani Secondary School just before the end-of-term exams. In a surprising turn of events, I topped those exams, scoring an A-. I developed a deep love for learning, and it marked a turning point in my life.

In 2016, my mother informed me of her intention to seek better opportunities for our family. She gave me a mobile phone to maintain communication so that she could send us rent and upkeep money. However, she left without disclosing where she was headed. Initially, she was supportive, but in 2017, her phone went silent, and we lost contact for nearly a year. I became resilient and resourceful to support myself and my younger brother after school. Fortunately, in October 2017, I learned that my mother was residing in Kiandutu slums in Thika. I took the initiative to visit her, and to my surprise, she had another baby.

She explained that giving birth had temporarily halted her work, but she assured me that she would resume her hustle in January 2018 and continue supporting us. True to her word, in January 2018, during my Form Four year, she began providing for us and clearing our debts. However, on April 23, we received devastating news; that she had passed away. We were now orphans. This marked the beginning of another challenging phase in my life. I reached out to our extended family members for help, but to my shock, some of them denied any association with my mother. They refused to provide a place for her burial. Thankfully, the Kihiu Mwiri community, led by Mr Muchoki, showed us immense kindness by allowing us to bury my mother in the community cemetery.

Life grew increasingly difficult as I took on the responsibility of caring for my younger siblings. Through divine provision, the goodwill of the community, and support of my brother and sister, we survived. However, the weight of responsibilities threatened to overwhelm me. I owe a debt of gratitude to my teachers, especially my favourite one, Mr Francis Ndungu, who consistently encouraged me to strive for excellence. To my surprise, when the results were announced, I obtained a C+ grade, guaranteeing me direct entry to university. I received an admission letter to join the University of Embu to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Education Arts, focusing on Business Studies and Christian Religious Education. The prospect of joining university and becoming a teacher was incredibly exciting. The Kihiu Mwiri community again came together and raised funds, enabling me join university. My time in university was not without its challenges, but through unwavering determination, commitment, and resilience, I soldiered on.

During my university years, I developed a lasting passion for teaching and learning. I volunteered in neighbouring schools to support myself and developed pedagogical skills and other valuable skills in public speaking and mentorship. Throughout my academic journey, I maintained discipline and focus.

I finally graduated on September 15, 2023 with a Second Class Honours Upper Division degree.

I am eager to embark on my teaching career and become an inspirational figure for secondary school students. I am committed to dedicated teaching and a pursuit of excellence. I hope to help students unleash their potential and embrace their greatness while instilling hope in those who may have lost it. Teaching is a joy for me, and I aspire to leave a lasting legacy by making a positive impact on my students. I will strive to be the teacher of their dreams.

To parents, I urge you to prioritise spending time with your children. The greatest legacy you can leave for them is the quality of your relationship. Material wealth may diminish, but the memories of how you made them feel will endure. Be present for them emotionally, socially, spiritually, and help them develop their character. Your presence in their lives is invaluable, and it's essential to cherish the time you have together.

To fellow teachers, I encourage you to empathise with your students. Some of them may face hardships at home, and school should be a place where they find support and understanding. Your influence can have a profound impact on their lives, so always choose kind words and speak hope into their hearts. Remember that you are a hero in the eyes of your students, and your actions can shape their futures.

To university students, do not forget your roots. Pursue your dreams with determination, never rest on your laurels, and remember the promises you made to yourself when you embarked on this journey. Learn all you can, and before leaving university, equip yourself with valuable soft skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, problem-solving, and decision-making. Strive to excel in your chosen field, pursue your passions, and always seek to expand your knowledge beyond the classroom. Make the most of every opportunity for self-development.

My journey has had a sweet ending, despite the struggles and obstacles. Looking back, I smile, grateful for not giving up on my dreams and for the support of a caring community and dedicated teachers.