Mary Jecinta Akoth, a mother of five, had been diligently paying her children's school fees until December when she began working as a fish and samosa seller in Naivasha.

In the same month, Akoth started experiencing eye problems that gradually led to a complete loss of her eyesight.

“I used to work to provide for my children’s needs, especially their school fees. But after losing my eyesight, I can no longer run my business as I used to,” she shares.

Her eldest daughter was forced to defer her education to take care of her mother and siblings, with plans to resume school in May.

Akoth feared her second daughter might also have to drop out of school. “As a fish seller, my savings were not enough, especially with my treatment expenses. When I stopped earning, I couldn’t pay my daughter’s fees,” she explains.

However, her second daughter avoided the same fate as her elder sister, thanks to a bursary from the Nakuru County Government.

“My daughter Ivy, who is in Form Two, studies at Milimani High School. I was worried she’d be sent home because I couldn’t pay her fees. But now, with the bursary, I know she can continue her education without interruption and achieve her dream of becoming a nurse,” says Akoth.

Ivy received Sh. 7,000, which will help ease the financial burden as Akoth seeks alternative ways to support her family.

She remains hopeful that well-wishers will come forward to assist her.

Akoth was one of many beneficiaries who shared their emotional stories during the bursary disbursement event in Naivasha Sub-county.

The event, presided over by Education Executive Zipporah Ngugi, saw the launch of a Sh. 23 million bursary fund for Naivasha Sub-county on Monday, with subsequent disbursements for Gilgil sub county of Sh. 14 million and Nakuru West sub county of 17 million.

Bursary comes to the aid of needy family in Naivasha

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Muthoni Wanjiku