By Norah Musega
Most learners living along the shores of Lake Victoria in Sindo are forced to join the business of fish mongering to make ends meet.
With most of the learners being of primary school going age, the Catholic diocese of Homa Bay priest in the area has since embarked on a project to ensure all school going age children who might have dropped from school are able to resume learning after being supported
Erick Onyango, a Catholic priest in the area noted that over 80 learners had been affected, but most of them now have the chance to sit the national examination that begins next week.
“It’s a pity they have to drop out of school due to lack of food and other basic needs at home. We have resolved as a church to ensure we trace them and take them back to school,” noted Onyango.
Onyango said the process of providing guidance and counselling has borne more fruit in the aid to ensure the education becomes a key agenda to adults and children in the area.
Some of the learners who talked to the education news narrated their ordeal in the process of fishing to be able to make ends meet in their homes.
Joel Onyango, a partial orphan, says he resolved to join the business after the death of his mother since his fathers’ effort alone was unable to feed them and provide basic needs. He said he decided to join hands with his father to ensure they acquire the meals and other needs such as soap.
Clinton Garang narrates how they spent a whole week in custody after they got arrested and forced to feed on raw fish and labour without rest in farms.
Garang told Education News the experience in custody wasn’t pleasant but they cannot quit the business which, he says, is their only source of income to be able to access basic needs despite having the thirst for education for a brighter future.
The children who are willing and ready to sit for the national exams are now calling on the government to ensure they are assisted to get sponsorship to further their education.
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