IEFT / Orkeeswa School

Day in and day out, Namnyak is always smiling. The oldest in a large family, Namnyak has many responsibilities beyond her studies: taking care of her younger siblings, collecting firewood, fetching water, working on the farm, cooking for her family and washing clothes are just a few. Her parents are subsistence farmers; they grow maize and beans and keep a few animals to support their family. She has to walk several hours to and from school each day as she lives in one of the farthest villages. However, Namnyak never complains about all these responsibilities! She is a engaged student, kind friend to all, and a hard worker. She loves to study biology and dreams of becoming a nurse: "I love biology because it will help me become a nurse one day. If I study cells and viruses I will know what is making someone sick, and what causes diseases. I want to become a nurse so I can help my community to be healthy." With her work ethic and caring nature, we know Namnyak will be a natural for the job.

Since Ngirunga’s father died many years ago, his mother has supported her four children by herself. Ngirunga now lives with his mother who is a subsistence farmer, his younger sister who is in primary school, and his two older brothers. His older brothers did not have the opportunity to go to secondary school and now work at home on the family farm. Ngirunga hopes to be able to receive a quality education so that he can give back to his family and ensure that his sister also goes to secondary school.

Melubo resides in Lashaine Village with his large family. His father works as a security guard and his family has a small farm that grows maize and beans. His father is also a the chair of Orkeeswa School's parents' committee. After school he hopes to teach history and English, two of his favorite subjects, to secondary school students. When he's not studying, Melubo enjoys playing basketball.

Veronica’s father has mental health problems and is mostly absent in the lives of his two wives and eleven children. Since her mother moved far away for work, Veronica and her other siblings live with their father’s second wife who supports the children by collecting and selling firewood in Monduli. However, she struggles to pay for expenses such as school fees. Veronica hopes to be able to finish secondary school and set a good example for her younger brother, who has just started at Orkeeswa in Pre-Form One.

Quiet and curious, Paulina enjoys exploring her interests in geography and english class with a steadfast determination. As the oldest in her family, Paulina serves as a stellar example to her younger siblings. She can often be found studying with her friends, and she hopes to become a member of parliament and help build more durable homes in her community after graduation.

Baraka, along with his 3 other siblings, is supported by his mother who works as a subsistence farmer. His father is a retired teacher, however he left the family and is no longer in Baraka’s life. In addition to single-handedly supporting her own children, she also took in her brother’s children when he died. Neither of Baraka’s two older siblings had the opportunity to go to secondary school. Baraka hopes to be the first in his family to graduate secondary school and set a good example for his younger brother who will soon finish primary school.