A young girl from Kisii county who had given up on her dreams of pursuing higher education due to poverty has received a lifeline from a kind-hearted police officer and philanthropist.
Brigid Bonareri Manduku, 19, scored a B- in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in 2022 but could not afford to apply for any course or university placement. She resorted to farming on her parents’ small piece of land to help them make ends meet.
Her story came to light when Sammy Ondimu Ngare, a police officer and founder of the Ondimu Foundation, visited her home in Nyamira village, Nyamache sub-county, on September 4, 2023. Ngare was on a mission to distribute sanitary pads and other items to needy girls in the area.
He was touched by Brigid’s plight and decided to share it on his Facebook page, asking for advice on how to help her.
“Brigid scored a B- in KCSE but she did not apply for any course because she had no money. She has been farming since she completed school. She has a passion for nursing but her Maths grade is too low.
She did not have anyone to guide her on what to do after KCSE. Her education in high school was paid for by teachers who saw her potential. She is very bright and humble. How can we help her?” Ngare wrote.
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His post attracted hundreds of comments and reactions from well-wishers who offered to sponsor Brigid’s education, mentor her, or link her with opportunities.
Some suggested that she should enroll in a diploma course in nursing or any other field that she is interested in. Others advised that she should apply for a government scholarship or loan through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
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Ngare thanked everyone who responded to his post and promised to follow up with Brigid and ensure that she gets the best possible assistance. He also urged other Kenyans to reach out to needy students in their communities and help them achieve their dreams.
“Thank you all for your overwhelming response and support. I will keep you updated on Brigid’s progress. Let us all be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. There are many bright students out there who need our help. Let us not let them down,” he said.
