Prudence Soiyan’s dream of becoming a civil engineer was almost dwindling after she completed her class eight at Nakuru West’s Heshima Primary two years ago.

Though she performed well in her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) by getting 359 marks out of the total 500, the 13-year-old had no hopes of joining secondary school owing to her family's poor background.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu in Shabaab Ward, Soiyan narrated how her parents tried in futility to put together the little they had, hoping it would be enough to take her to high school.

“My father does casual jobs in juakali and construction sites while mum cleans clothes for people at a small fee,” she says.

With this situation, her desire of joining secondary school meant adding another burden to the already overwhelmed parents.

It was then that her mother decided to go looking for bursary funding at the Nakuru west constituency office.

"Luckily, mum was able to secure bursary and I joined Kipkelion Girls’ High school,” Soiyan says smiling broadly.

According to her, success in her academics is the only way out of poverty for her family in Kapkures Ward.

“I now have only one mission: to work hard and make my family proud. I hope to get an A in KCSE and becoming a Civil Engineer,” the first born of five adds.

Soiyan’s mother Emmah Memusi, is a happy woman, seeing her daughter able to go on with her studies.

According to Ms Memusi, the journey to educate her daughter has been strenuous for the entire family.

“Even getting her through primary school was not easy but we tried until she completed the eight years. For now, the burden has been lifted and I thank God,” Ms Memusi says.

pmambili@gmail.com

Bursary to the rescue of student who scored 359 marks

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Pristone Mambili