Francis has shared his incredible story with us. Determination and education saved him from a life on the streets:
"I am Joseph Francis Ochieng. I am a second-year student at Kenyatta University, pursuing a degree in gender and development studies. I was born and raised in Siaya County in Nyanza. I lost both my parents at a young age. I was rejected by my father's family and the only person who came to my rescue was my grandmother. She was however very poor and providing basic needs was not easy for her. At some point, I left home to live on the street.
Having spent a very tough year in the street, I reflected on what to do next and the only idea that came to my mind was to go and herd someone’s cattle for money.
I indeed found such a herding job. I was given a place to sleep in an old house with a leaking roof. If it rained, water would fall on me while I slept at night. What was however more painful than that, was that from where I lay, I could see the vehicle of one the sons of my boss, parked in a well-built house.
My mind was never at peace whenever I reflected upon this inequality, while I was looking after the cattle grazing in the field. One day, upon receiving my salary, I just left the job and went to seek admission at the nearest primary school. But they did not take my request seriously.
What however made me determined were the stories of the daughters and sons of my boss on how education had transformed them into what they were. They all had well-paying jobs. One of them was a banker. I also usually listened keenly when they gave their own children advice on education, while I was around. This is how I realized that only a school could help me.
After leaving my job, I stayed alone in our original home, far away from my grandmother because it was nearer to school. I went and bought a uniform and books and just sneaked into the school the morning that followed without passing through the headteacher for admission. He only came to realize that he had not given me an admission number, when I had already worked my way up and had become the top performer in our class. This is when he recalled about me going to seek a chance, but not being admitted.
Life was not easy because I had to look for my own money while going to school. Most of the time, I got support from my class teacher and other well-wishers: I did my primary school final exam, finishing as the best performing student of all 2017 candidates in our school.
After this result, I received an invitation letter from one of the best secondary schools in Kenya. Obviously, no one offered to raise my school fees for me to join my dream secondary school, until an organization called Teach a Child – Africa came to my rescue. Based on my grades and dedication to education, they offered to pay all my high school fees and provide regular pocket money.
The love and care by TaC made my four-year stay at Ugenya High School easy and smooth. I sat for my final high school exam in the year 2021, obtained a university entry grade and I was placed to join one of the public universities.
My education became uncertain once again, when I failed to raise enough money for university admission, but TaC helped me out again by offering me a loan. This enabled me to enroll at Kenyatta University. I'm currently in my second year taking my undergraduate course in gender and development studies.
On Nov 8th, 2023, I landed a scholarship for my remaining years of study, courtesy of the Kenyatta University alumnae class of 1999. Two winners were selected out of 500 applicants. The scholarship was handed over by the vice-chancellor of Kenyatta University in the presence of said alumnae class.
I'm humbled by the support I have been receiving from different people during all these years. This makes me positive about life and I hope for more opportunities in the future, for the future is bright!"
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