Anastasia Atabo Lokor, a students from Turkana whose plight was highlighted by media houses late last year after she failed to Join the university over lack of school fee has finally been admitted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.(JOOUST)
Atabo will finally be able to pursue her Bachelor of Education Science degree from the university after she received support from the Legion Maria church.
Having scored a B- in 2023 KCSE exams, Anastasia was called to join JOOUST in September,2024 but failed after her family was not able to raise fee to pursue her education.
The student who was elated but emotionally overwhelmed, after stepping the compound of JOOUST main campus in Bondo disclosed that she resorted to selling water at her home in Turkana East in order to raise money to pursue her dreams.
“I was a bit disappointed when my classmates were joining campus last year and I remained home because I did not have money, I decided to sell water to raise funds.” Atabo said.
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She thanked the Legion Maria church that came to her aid after her situation was aired in the media, acknowledging that they have made it possible for her to revive her dream that seemed a mirage a few months ago.
Atabo who is the first born in the family of nine children said that she is looking forward to become a teacher after completing her studies so that she can help her siblings and transform the situation of their family which is struggling in poverty.
The Legion Maria Bondo diocese, Bishop Martin Nyahoa,confirmed that the church will give Anastasia a full financial support during her four year study, adding that the church learnt about the plight of Anastasia on the media and decided to intervene because she is from a poor background and a member of Legio Maria church in Turkana.
He disclosed that the Legion Maria church has been supporting education of many students across all the public universities in the country and called upon the beneficiaries of any kind of sponsorship to remember giving back to the society so that other students can also be supported.
JOOUST registrar of academic and student affairs Dr Walter Akuno confirmed that Anastasia has been officially admitted to the university.
Dr. Akuno however explained that students who get admission to JOOUST should not fail to report due to lack of school fees .
He said the University has an arrangement to help students who do not have fees get admission before they are assisted to apply for HELB loans and bursary while on campus.
“I know Anastasia coming from a humble background in Turkana may not have had the information and she has lost a whole year of study but all is not lost. We have officially admitted her but the same should not happen to any student admitted to study in JOOUST .They should just report and be guided accordingly. “Akuno stated.
The Association of students from Turkana and Samburu at JOOUST led by their chair Lobwinde Dikar gathered at the campus to welcome one of their own promising her of their full support to ensure she is comfortable during studies at the campus.
By Erick Nyayiera
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