On the very least, a B within the Kenya Certificates of Secondary Schooling (KCSE) exams is an efficient grade and above the cut-off level for direct college entry.

However Zawadi Cynthia would have none of it. The scholar’s ambition to turn into a physician couldn’t be reduce quick due to her grades!

Coming from an unstable background, her zeal led her to hunt work as a home helper to finance her return to highschool.

It’s a true story of arduous work paying off, as she ended up with an A minus of 74 factors. She can be grateful to her potential employer for sending her again to highschool.

“I’m so comfortable that lastly, I can research a medical course and turn into a neurologist,” stated Zawadi, who hopes to be admitted on the College of Nairobi.

Zawadi, who sat for her nationwide exams at Chemelil Academy in Kisumu County, says her academic journey has not been a stroll within the park.

In 2018, she scored 366 marks within the Kenya Certificates of Main Schooling (KCPE) exams, which earned her admission to Archbishop Njega Women Excessive Faculty.

Her secondary faculty schooling had began with many difficulties and she or he was all the time on the best way again to her dwelling in Mumias attributable to lack of charges.

Ultimately, after finishing the third time period of Type Two, Zawadi and her dad and mom determined to switch to Bumia Women Day Faculty.

Though she needed to pay a price of Sh8,000 per time period, her dad and mom have been nonetheless not steady sufficient to maintain her at school.

Throughout an interview, she revealed that to make up for missed classes, she would get up very early to review earlier than heading again to highschool.

With a purpose to catch up, she would have interaction her academics and different learners to make up for the teachings she had missed.

In Type 4, Zawadi, together with different candidates within the faculty, missed the prospect to use for a college course. Lecturers had suggested that there was no want to use if college students hardly ever made it to college.

Lastly, in 2022, when the Type 4 outcomes got here out, she had scored a B plain, far beneath her expectations; surprisingly, she had been prime of her faculty, regardless of being out of sophistication more often than not.

“The outcomes weren’t pleasing, the considered lacking out on my dream profession disturbed me, however life needed to transfer on,” she says.

In March 2023, she determined to search for a job. The final born in a household of 4, she was keen to do any job to earn Sh1,500 for her college software. In the meantime, she was uncertain of the course she needed to take.

Throughout her search, Zawadi got here throughout Mercy Atieno, who ran a wholesale store, as a possible employer.

After telling Atieno why she needed a job, Atieno inquired extra about her schooling and grades.

In an entire flip of occasions, Atieno, a complete stranger, determined to take her again to highschool as a substitute of giving her the job.

“I requested her what different course she needed to take other than drugs, however Zawadi stated she had not considered anything. Then I requested if she was keen to return to highschool to realize the nice outcomes she had all the time needed, and she or he agreed,” Atieno stated.

“Though we have been strangers, after listening to her, I noticed the potential she had, that’s the reason I used to be keen to sponsor her,” Atieno stated, including that they left all the pieces to God within the hope that she would make it.

They instantly began on the lookout for a college. Nonetheless, Zawadi’s software was rejected by the primary faculty she approached as a result of she was late and so they weren’t admitting type fours.

At Chemelil Academy, the academics have been initially reluctant to confess her however after listening to her story and why she had utilized late, they accepted her.

Atieno paid for her first time period’s charges and purchasing. However after she was admitted, the varsity, moved by her story, spoke to different dad and mom who agreed to assist her whereas the varsity supplied Zawadi with free uniforms.

Zawadi says she was by no means despatched dwelling for charges and that her academics, beginning with the headmaster Samora Abisai, have been supportive.

They all the time lent a serving to hand and inspired her sometimes. Throughout holidays, she stayed with Atieno, who made certain that every one her wants have been met.

Zawadi admits that she was underneath numerous stress, however with all of the assist she couldn’t think about letting them down.

“I’m happy with my outcomes. Though I had anticipated an A plain, I consider I’ve executed myself and people round me proud,” she says.

“I nonetheless lack phrases to precise my gratitude to Ms Atieno for coming to my support at my time of want. She has been a blessing. All I can do is pray that God continues to make use of her to bless others.”

Atieno stated that other than Zawadi, she can be supporting different vibrant however needy college students.

She is now interesting to the federal government to place in place measures to make sure that vibrant however needy learners don’t miss out on their secondary faculty schooling attributable to lack of charges.