Behind a hilly rock, dotted with thorny shrubs, is where Emmanuel Angesa and his three other siblings live with their mother who doubles as father to them. Already before the Covid pandemic they were struggling economically, and Covid added another layer of economic deprivation.

As a result, their mother was not able to financially support the four children. During the Covid season when the government called upon Primary seven to return to school and complete their primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) Emmanuel was unable to return to school because his mother failed to get the required school fees to send him back to school.

WNCB partner Nascent RDO staff (Anyango Christine and Emmanuel Opio) encountered Emmanuel’s family at this point when as a family they had given up on his dream. In collaboration with other stakeholders, we approached the mother of Emmanuael, Alice, and discussed ways of ensuring that Emmanuel can sit for his PLE exams. We held discussions with the school administration and made arrangements for her to pay school fees in manageable instalments.

Emmanuel’s mother was also able to clear the fees and Emmanuel successfully sat for his PLE and obtained 15 Aggregates, and emerged among the best students in the district. While Emmanuel, his mother and siblings are excited about his very excellent performance, they are worried about his continuity to secondary education because secondary education is more expensive.

By: George Bush Ocen, Communication & Advocacy Officer Nascent RDO