By Erick Nyayiera
24 year old Brian Ndede Owino is passionate about continuing his education and becoming a successful career even though life has been nothing but unkind to him.
Whereas most of his agemates are either in campus or employment, Owino is silently nursing hopes that his dream of joining Maranda High School and later pursuing Civil Engineering will come to pass.
Owino, who hails from West Uyoma location in Siaya county, became an orphan when in nursery school.
Together with his siblings, he had to stay with his maternal grandmother in East Asembo. The grandmother struggled to take care of them.
He attended Wera Primary School in East Asembo, sat his first KCPE exams in 2013 and scored 293 marks out of 500 marks.
He got selected to join Raliew Secondary School, a sub- county school in Rarieda but couldn’t do so due to the financial situation at their home.
“A well-wisher offered to pay for my secondary education fees at Wera Secondary School. He was also kind enough to buy me books and uniforms. However, when I got to form 3 in 2016, he passed away and left me helpless and depressed,” he sadly recounts.
He narrates that he decided to learn juakali skills to help his siblings and the grandmother.
“I visited a relative in Nyeri town who was a juakali artisan. He taught me panel beating for two years. When I started making money, I would send some home. However deep within me I was not satisfied because I knew I had a dream for a better life which was only possible through education. I’ve always wanted to be a civil Engineer and help my family out of poverty,” Owino stated.
He reveals that last year, he went back to his late father’s village in West Uyoma location and narrated his ordeal to the local provincial administration who linked him with the headmaster of Ogango Primary School. The headmaster listened to his story and admitted him to school despite the fact that first term was almost over.
“I literally didn’t know where to begin. I didn’t have any books yet I had to start revising work from classes 4-7 and also study class 8 work. Luckily my efforts paid off and though I hoped to score 400 marks and above, I thank God I managed to score 362 marks which will enable me join Maranda School; my dream school,” he recounted.
His biggest puzzle is how he will get support to realize his dream. He made a passionate appeal to Rarieda MP Dr. Otiende Amollo, Siaya Governor James Orengo and other well- wishers to help him.
Raphael Odumo, the village elder who has supported Owino’s education, is confident the boy has the zeal to become a great person if he gets the right support.
