GUARDIAN’S BUSINESS LOOTED IN POST ELECTION VIOLENCE
AGNES CHEPKEMOI
Student Number: 04-0228
Major: B.A. Communication
My life long dream was
shuttered last December. When violence erupted over the
disputed presidential elections, my guardian’s cereal shop
(from where he earned a living) and his home were burnt
down in Kuresoi, Nakuru district, leaving
him with nothing.
As
though that was not enough, while he was on his way to Nairobi to at least pay
an installment of my school fees, which he had borrowed,
the vehicle they were traveling in was attacked by gangs.
They were robbed and beaten to near death.
My guardian is the relative
who took pity on me and decided to help me with my school
fees in August 2005. I had joined Daystar University
in 2004, six years after I had completed my high school
education. This was due to lack of school fees. I come from
a poor family of peasant farmers who couldn’t raise enough
money to take me through university, despite the fact that
I had done well in my high school final exam.
To join Daystar I had to take
up casual jobs to raise the school fees. The money I raised
was only enough for one semester taking only twelve hours.
That was in the January 2004 semester. The money ran out
and I could not attend school for the following two semesters.
This is when my guardian came in. He wasn’t wealthy and
only paid for as many credit hours as he could afford. This
was boosted by the work-study program awarded to me by Daystar University.
Although I could only afford
a few hours in a semester, I didn’t mind because I knew
even if it takes me eight years, I would eventually complete
my degree program and get a job to help lift my family’s
living conditions.
Now I am left stranded. The
only person I wholly depended on is now struggling to put
his own life back together. This is my fifth year in Daystar
and yet I have only covered up to second year courses. Unless
I get help, I am afraid that my patience of so many years
will go to waste, shattering my dreams. Kindly help me.
To donate to assist these
students, follow this link: http://daystarus.org/donate/donation.htm
(under gift description list the 'Hero Fund')