By Jeff Mwangi
If you think dropping out of school is the end of your life success, think again.
Adams Kaume, 33-year-old and a teacher at Akaiga Boys in Tigania central, dropped out of school due to lack of school fees in 2002, but that did not kill his life goals.
An average student, Kaume sat for his KCPE exam at Ruuju Primary School in 2002 scoring 279 marks. He lost his mother just after the results were announced.
His father, a farmer, could hardly afford to take him to Form One.
“My older brother was in Egerton University and another was pursuing a welding course at Mikinduri market centre, this made it hard for my father to pay for my fees,” he recalled.
A neighbour helped him find a casual job in Kajiado County back in 2003.
“I was working at Misheck Ngare’s farm from 2003 to 2006 in Ongata Rongai, where he realized that I was talented in playing piano and other music instruments. He was very impressed with the way I played the instrument and offered to pay for my training at Maxwell SDA Academy to perfect my skills,” said Kaume.
His boss even offered him his piano to perfect his skills.
Later, Nkoroi SDA church choir selected him to be playing piano for them.
“Between 2003 and 2006 many opportunities would arise but I would lose them due to lack of Form Four certificate,” he said.
In 2007, Kaume decided to go back to school with financial support from Ngare and joined St Massimo Day school.
“Despite being out for five years I was among in top 5 best students throughout my studies.”
When he sat for the Kenya Certificate of secondary education, he got a mean grade C+ and was admitted at Mt Kenya University in 2011 to pursue Bachelor’s degree in Education course. In 2014, he graduated with a second class upper division honours.
Kaume’s thirst for education motivated him to enroll for master’s degree in education at Kenyatta University in 2015, the same year he married his sweetheart Rita Kaume.
But disaster struck again when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in an accident along Meru-Mikinduri highway.
“I lost my sister and my dear wife three months after we had tied the knot. I survived with severe injuries where I was admitted at Nkubu Consolata Mission Hospital. During the time I was recovering I was forced to refer my studies,” said Kaume.
His first teaching job was at Akaiga Boys Secondary school.
“When am feeling down I play my instruments and sing a lot. I have already purchased more instruments as I intend to open up a studio to encourage others in the community,” he said.
He hopes to return to the university to complete his master’s degree.
“It does not matter one’s background, all it takes to succeed is determination in life,” Kaume averred.
