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A fourth-year student at Rongo University, is stranded at home due to unpaid school fees amounting to KSh 45,150
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Rhoda Malala’s path has been difficult, as she was left behind by her mother at infancy and brought up by her financially strained grandmother.
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In spite of the challenges, she thrived academically, graduating from high school with a C+ average and gaining admission to Rongo University; however, she now requires assistance to complete her education.
A young woman hailing from Mumias in Kakamega County is seeking assistance to gather KSh 45,150 for her tuition costs.
A university student named Rhoda Malala from Rongo University in Migori County finds herself unable to take her exams alongside her peers because of outstanding tuition fees, leaving her stuck at home.
She is currently in her fourth year studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Arts.
In a video shared by The Makanda Foundation, the young lady explained that she had completed all her CATs, and the only thing remaining was the main exams.
“I participated in classes for the third year during both the first and second semesters, and even continued with the fourth-year classes despite getting sick. However, the university does not permit anyone to take the main exams unless they have settled their fees. So, if I manage to gather the required funds, I will be able to finish my education,” she stated.
She mentioned that her outstanding fees were KSh 50,150, and she additionally needed KSh 8,000 for special exam registration. Hence, the total sum she required came to KSh 58,150.
Speaking to
Jagoanblog.art.co.ke
, Phelix Joel from The Makanda Foundation stated that Rhoda has no one but her grandmother, who has done her best to ensure she attends school.
“When she was only two months old, her mother left her in the care of her grandmother, who likewise finds it hard to cover expenses. Her father reappeared after she completed grade 8 but has never provided assistance,” Joel mentioned.
The foundation paid KSh 13,000 towards Rhoda’s fees and is appealing to well-wishers to assist the young lady.
Therefore, the student from Rongo University needs KSh 45,150 to take her exams and ultimately graduate.
How did Rhoda Malala manage to pursue her education?
Even though she was left as a baby and dismissed by her dad, the young lady revealed that her grandmother has looked after her needs by making and selling alcohol.
I was brought up by my grandmother who also ensured I attended primary school. She would make chang’aa to earn money for my tuition fees. This continued until I completed grade eight with 335 points,” said Rhoda.
“She met her mother and father, who worked as a high school teacher. Her dad apologized for abandoning her and vowed to contribute toward her high school expenses, but he never actually paid anything,” she recounted.
Rhoda mentioned that her grandmother financed her education throughout high school by seeking loans from acquaintances and taking up additional work.
Nevertheless, life grew difficult after her grandmother’s enterprise closed, yet she made sure Rhoda continued attending school without interruption.
Kakamega lady rejected by her dad
Rhoda achieved an average grade of C+ in the KCSE and was thrilled about her acceptance into university via government funding.
The university student, who found herself stranded, recounted with great pain how her father dismissed her request for financial assistance to cover her tuition fees, even though he had previously recognized her as his daughter.
“After my father heard that I was accepted into campus, he invited me to his home and promised again to pay for my campus fees. A week later, I sent him the fee structure and other requirements. When I called him three days later, he told me to ask my mum who my biological father is, saying he would never help me,” she shared.
The young lady had been making ends meet with HELB assistance and the small amount her grandmother managed to gather, to support herself, cover school expenses, and pay rent in Rongo.
She mentioned that she used to work as a domestic helper over the breaks to earn money for her studies, but she couldn’t do this during the last break because she had fallen sick.