Meru Woman Rep sponsors needy Grade 10 girl who missed school for months

A Grade 10 needy learner who had failed to join senior secondary school to advance her education due to poverty has a reason to smile after Meru County Woman Representative Elizabeth Kailemia agreed to sponsor her education.

Bessy Gakii, who hails from Antubanthea village in Igembe North Constituency, was virtually staring at a bleak future because her widowed mother was struggling unsuccessfully to raise part of the school fees.

Owing to her humble background, she was forced to stay at home as she hoped and prayed that a miracle would happen in her academic journey.

To make matters worse, her classmates and age mates had already joined senior secondary school after being enrolled in Grade 10.

For months, the needy learner stayed at home without knowing what the future had in store for her.

Gakii had almost lost hope that she would get an opportunity to advance her education after sitting her Grade 9 examinations.

After the results were released, her friends proceeded to various schools for Grade 10 education while she remained at home due to the financial challenges facing her family.

However, hope dawned on Gakii after the Meru County Woman Representative stepped in to sponsor her education despite her being out of school for a couple of months due to poverty.

Gakii had remained at home while the rest of her classmates joined Grade 10 in January as her widowed mother struggled unsuccessfully to raise part of the required school fees.

Full scholarship

Thanks to MP Kailemia, she will now continue with her studies at Bishop Njiru Girls Kangeta under a full scholarship sponsored through the Mama Safi Foundation.

Kailemia visited the family and provided school uniform together with other learning materials before facilitating the girl’s admission to the school.

Speaking during the visit, Kailemia said supporting vulnerable children to access education was a duty aimed at transforming lives and not a political strategy.

“I am not looking for votes when I sponsor children to school. I will be glad if Bessy Gakii lives a good life courtesy of me,” she said.

Vulnerable members

The lawmaker lauded businessman Henry Emma for linking her office to the family and urged communities to support vulnerable members of society.

“Each one of us has been blessed in a different way. Let us play our role accordingly,” she said.

Gakii’s mother, Christine Mamii, narrated the struggles she has faced raising her children after the death of her husband.

She said her husband’s relatives later chased them away from their matrimonial home, forcing her to seek refuge at her parents’ home.

The widowed mother of three said she has since been struggling to educate and provide for her children.

“We were chased away by my husband’s relatives. Thank you for coming through for us,” she said.

Residents who accompanied the family during the visit praised Kailemia for supporting needy learners and vulnerable families in the area.

Pamela Mbiti said residents had for years heard leaders make promises without action, adding that the assistance offered to the family had restored hope within the village.

“We have been hearing about leadership, but now we are experiencing it. We will support you as a village because we recognise actions,” she said.

Youth representatives Enock Mutharimi and Samson Kalawa from the Office of the Woman Representative also thanked Kailemia for standing with residents during difficult moments.

Women groups

Kailemia further pledged support for women groups and backed proposals seeking free education from primary to secondary school level.

“No child should fail to attend school because of lack of fees,” she said.

Gakii thanked the leaders for supporting her education and promised to work hard in school to help improve her family’s future.

“I promise to work hard to change my family’s situation,” she said.

In a similar gesture, MP Kailemia sponsored another Grade 10 student to join senior secondary school.

The student, Blessings Gatwiri, could not proceed with her education due to lack of school fees, as she is the child of a disabled single mother.

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“Following an appeal from the area Sub-Chief and the Timau Township community, I stepped in and sponsored her education. Today, she has officially joined St. Padre Pio High School.

“Just like your name says, Blessings, I wish you abundant blessings in your studies and future endeavours. Keep working hard, stay focused, and continue believing in yourself,” said the Woman Representative.

Kailemia called on all education stakeholders to work harmoniously in a bid to ensure all children have access to education.