Nandi Woman Gets University Scholarship from Governor after Making Bricks to Raise College Fees

A student from Nandi had been forced to make bricks in a bid to try to raise college fees and has now secured a university scholarship from the county’s Governor Stephen Sang.

The governor was touched by Celestine Jepkazi’s struggles and decided to come to her aid so she can realize her dream of pursuing her career. Jepkazi demonstrated her willingness to try all means she could to raise money to pay for her education and she serves as an example to all those who resort to quitting school other than following her lead.

Many people from her village of Kebelem in Nandi County had been ridiculing her for the messy job she had resorted to doing of making bricks. Besides, others felt she was doing a job meant for the male gender but this did not discourage her by any means and she bravely soldiered on regardless.

However, her effort did come with challenges as she attributed the heavy rains and a lack of firewood as the main challenges. One thing we can all count on is that this woman will go far in life based on the early indications of her resourcefulness.

On Friday, September 11, the student visited Governor Sang’s office in Kapsabet town in the company of her mother and a teacher from Cheptil Secondary School.

The County boss decided to pay her university fees until completion of her higher education studies.

“I was touched by the story of Celestine Jepkazi who comes from Kabisaga ward, Mosop sub-county. Her determination to join university has seen her resort to making bricks in order to raise University fees. I had the chance to meet Celestine, her mother Hellen Jepkosgei together with Mrs. Ann Birgen who is a teacher at Cheptil Secondary School in my office,” said the Nandi County boss, Governor Stephen Sang

I have offered to pay her university fees as Celestine has now enrolled to undertake a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Meru University,” added the Nandi county boss.

Celestine Jepkazi will now wait for universities to be allowed to reopen by the government. This comes after Education CS Prof George Magoha said that universities are now ready to reopen and his ministry is now waiting for president Uhuru nod to proceed with the reopening. All learning institutions have been closed since March in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic with only medical students having been allowed to return to class recently. The CS is set to hold a meeting with stakeholders Monday, September 14, 2020, to discuss more on plans regarding the reopening of schools

A similar case in Uganda

A Ugandan student who also resorted to making brick in order to pay university fees as also offered a scholarship by Victoria University. Sharon Mbabazi has since joined the institution during the March 2020 intake.

The vice-chancellor offered to support the rest of her school fees with the University of Victoria choosing to offer a partial scholarship.

Mbabazi also graduated with a degree in Journalism from the Muteesa 1 Royal University.