On this World Teachers Day, we take a moment to celebrate the amazing work that teachers do around the world. They play a vital role in shaping the future generation, instilling values, and guiding children and young adults.
One of the students that Moja Tu sponsors is Patricia Naivest. She is a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education with a focus on English and Literature at Moi University. She is a shining example of the difference an education scholarship can make in someone’s life.
Patricia’s journey has been challenging, to say the least. “I grew up in a household with six siblings, and my mother was the sole breadwinner. Due to financial constraints, I was unable to join high school immediately after completing elementary school. It was not until Moja Tu visited my village in 2017 that I learned about the scholarship program that would change my life forever. After getting the scholarship, the organization instantly enrolled me in high school,” she narrates.
Since then, Patricia’s life has taken a positive turn. This scholarship has given her the opportunity to pursue her dreams, which is something that she will always be grateful for. She has been able to focus on her studies without the burden of worrying about where the school fees will come from. Throughout her high school years, Patricia maintained satisfactory grades. It thus did not come as a surprise when she performed well in the high school exit examination and secured herself a slot at one of the universities in Kenya.
Patricia’s university education has taught her many valuable academic and personal lessons. She has learned to be responsible and has gained valuable teamwork skills, which will help her in her future career as a teacher.
“I am determined to use the knowledge I have gained to teach my students and inspire them to be their best selves.”
When asked about her role models, Patricia is quick to mention Kathy (Moja Tu founder), who was instrumental in opening the doors to her education, and her former sponsor, Margaret Jansen, who always believed in her and encouraged her to pursue her goals. She is also grateful to James and Audrey for their support and guidance throughout her academic journey.
Patricia’s story is a testament to the power of education and how it can change someone’s life for the better. It is never too late to make your dreams a reality, and with determination and hard work, anything is achievable.