A 17-year-old learner, who financed his own Junior Secondary School education at St James Koteko Comprehensive School in Malaba South Ward,in Busia County is appealing to well-wishers for support to continue his studies after securing Grade 10 placement at Musingu Boys High School in Kakamega County.
Thomas Eng’odol Otando, the last-born child of Constantine Otando, who has partial visual impairment, and Mary Ideete Otando, told journalists at their home in Kocholya village, Teso North Sub County, that he excelled in Grade 9 last year, achieving a “Meeting Expectations” mean mark of 53 out of a possible 72. This performance earned him placement at Sigalame High School in Busia County.
However, the family could not afford the fees required for admission, prompting his parents to seek an alternative school. Thomas’s father later secured him a place at Musingu Boys High School, offering renewed hope for the teenager’s dream of becoming a chemical engineer.
Despite this opportunity, Thomas is worried about meeting the school fees and has appealed to his MCA Boniface Ekada Mamai, MP Oku Kaunya, Governor Paul Otuoma, and other well-wishers to assist him.
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His father, Constantine Otando, said he had applied for a scholarship at the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation but has yet to receive any response. He noted that he registered as a person with a disability in 2011 but has not received any government support to date.
Mary Ideete Otando, Thomas’s mother, appealed to the government for assistance, explaining that the family has no income apart from subsistence farming, which barely sustains them. She added that her husband is limited in work due to his disability. The mother of six revealed that she has previously struggled to educate two other daughters up to Form Four, where they achieved grade C, but could not afford college education.
The family hopes that support from well-wishers and government officials will help Thomas continue his education and achieve his dream.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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