Days and Nights on an Empty Stomach
The following as told by Gammaliel Kanenje…
Born September 9, 1998 - started Namundera SS February 6, 2014 - graduated November 17, 2017 through a CES Canada/Kenya Scholarship - now studying in Year 2 Bachelor of Education program with a Major in Science at Murang’a University of Technology.
Good day - I am Gammaliel Kanenje. I am fine and doing well at school, now finishing my first year in the Bachelor of Education Science at Murang'a University of Technology. I am glad and thank you for your support. Your guidance nurtures me to be a compassionate leader in the future. Currently I also serve as class representative of all education science students in first year. I have performed well in my studies and I am looking forward to learning more in Year 2.
It is my pleasure to be among the CES alumni and I promise to be a compassionate individual in my society. I promise that I will never forget your support because it has been sustaining me since high school up to date.
During high school I did my best to attain best grades despite the harsh conditions at home. My parents could not afford to provide my education needs which included shoes and uniform.
I was using a single tormented shirt for two years. This did not hinder me from working hard. I remember several visits from CES at my school and this encouraged me to work hard. Often we visited Kakamega annually for marathons at the Canada Day Run. There I met more friends from other schools. I used to share my ideas and experiences with some of the CES alumni. I do remember Mr Edwin Juma who always stepped up to give me guidance.
We were provided nice shoes from Canada during the events. They symbolized blessings, the love and uniqueness from donors.
If it wasn't CES I couldn't be able to pass my exam. I was nurtured to be a leader and encouraged by the board members. CES Patron Mr Malik Khaemba and Sarah Nabongo visited our school with bags of presents - hygiene kits with bars of soap and other things we could never afford.
I was the index one student in our school and emerged the best student at the KCSE final exam. On top of that I was among three students who qualified for university.
Actually I was born in a humble family of seven children, I being the fourth born. Despite the fact that my parents never completed their education, they went through struggles and hard experiences day and night to care for our education. They only had a small piece of land, approximately a half acre. We could even spend days and nights on empty stomachs and we were frequently sent away from school for fees. I didn't give up but kept on working hard. When I finished my primary education,the financial conditionof my parents wasn't able to cater the education needs for the whole family. Acquiring the basic needs for us all became more difficult.
My father had to take my elder brother into college at that time as well as pay the school fees for both of us. This soon became impossible and it forced my elder to go out and look for job so that he could help us acquire what we needed.
However when it turned to me, things were not on my side.There wasn't money to attend the national school I was called to join. In addition to that, the local school could not afford me anymore. I had nothing to do than just stay home. One month later after all schools had resumed,I took a step forward to seek advice from my friends who had completed their education. One of them advised me to go one by one in all local schools around and plead mercy from individual principals.
When I went to Namundera mixed secondary school, it was there I received mercy but on conditions. I would only be accepted to be enrolled if I could pass the end term exam. I did my best and attained A plain.
This really surprised and amazed the principal. He suggested to the board of school management that I was a of hardworking needy student. It was then that CES sponsored me.
I am a proud CES Alumni. CES - you are the one who nurtured me to be a leader and indeed I have a passion to achieve my dreams. I appreciate you so much for your commitment towards my education. You rarely get enough sleep and you leave your own objectives and work just to ensure I am learning. Thank you so much.
- Gammaliel Kanenje
