FATHER-DAUGHTER EVERLYN
STORY; THE CASE OF
JONATHAN
AND
My name is Jonathan and I am age 41. My daughter, Everlyn , is a 12-year old sixth grader at Kakenya Center for Excellence (KCE). In addition to Everlyn, I have seven other children who range in age from four to 18-years old. Of the eight children, six are my own and I am the guardian to Everlyn and her 10 year old brother, both of whom have been under the care of my wife, Lillian and I since the death of their mother, my sister, 10 years ago. She died from child birth complications after an epileptic attack that hit her while giving birth to her son at home. The children however, have adjusted to life and they know that they can trust and depend on us for their needs. All eight of them attend school and we do our best to support their studies by encouraging them and supporting them financial through the income we generate as small scale maize farmers. Everlyn has been a student at KCE for three years now. When she passed her enrollment interview and was admitted at the school in 2015, I was so excited. I sold my cow for kshs. 15,000 (US$150) and used the money to buy her shoes, writing materials, mattress, blanket, soap, padlock and a metal box where she could safely put all her belongings. The items amounted to ksh.12,000 (120$) and I was left with kshs.3,000 (30$) that I set aside for her school fees. Upon our arrival at the school for her admission, the administrator informed me that the money I had for her fee was less by ksh. 1,500(15$). I explained to the administrator that was all I had and she directed me to Dr. Kakenya to whom I explained my predicament. Dr. Kakenya acknowledged my situation and told me that henceforth, Everlyn would not be required to pay school fees and that the school would provide her with a scholarship to take care of her personal needs given that she is an orphan. As if that news alone was not enough to make my heart melt with joy, Dr. Kakenya sent me home with the school items I had bought for Everlyn and the money I had allocated for her fees. Oh, I was (and still am) so grateful! To date, the school still continues to provide for her needs to support her education. As a result, she has been able to concentrate on her studies and improve her overall academic performance. As of the end of this school term, she moved from position 20 to number 15 in her class out of 41 students. I am so proud of what she has accomplished
Quote from Everlyn “My name is Everlyn and I attend school at KCE. Mathematics is my favorite subject; I scored 90% in my end of term exam. I enjoy athletics during my free time. I have been told that my mother died shortly after giving birth to my brother while she was breastfeeding him near the fire. The epileptic attack that hit her caused her to drop my brother and part of his leg landed in the fire. It took a while before my relatives realized she was in distress and came to her rescue. As a result, part of my brother„s leg got burnt in the fire. I am happy and grateful that despite my mother‟s ordeal, my brother survived the incident even though it left one of his leg disabled and scared. This is why I want to become a doctor when I grow up. I will be able to treat sick people, especially those that are poor and vulnerable like my community, and help prevent cases of death that can be avoided such as the ones associated with home births. With all the support I receive from Kakenya‟s Dream, I know my dream will be made possible.”
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