By Zipporah Umile
Martin Rodgers, a dedicated class 8 student, has been making waves at Manna Academy in Kisumu. Despite being just 13 years old, he has been part of this educational institution since he was a mere 9-year-old. Throughout his academic journey, Rodgers has consistently demonstrated his brilliance by achieving A grades repeatedly. His passion lies in the subject of Mathematics, a field in which he excels. The school takes immense pride in nurturing this young prodigy, who undoubtedly has a promising future ahead of him.
Mrs. Caroline, Rodgers’ class teacher, lauds his academic prowess, saying, “Martin is an exceptional student. He is self-driven and diligent, consistently performing impressively in all his exams, consistently scoring above 350 marks. He consistently ranks first in multiple subjects, including Mathematics, Science, Kiswahili, and English. In his recent exams, he scored an impressive A- grade.” Mrs. Caroline’s words underscore the extraordinary talent that Martin possesses.
However, behind Martin’s academic success lies a significant challenge in his personal life. Rodgers hails from the rural village of Kanywadera in Kombewa Sublocation, Seme Sub County, Kisumu. He is the middle child among six siblings. Four years ago, Martin’s father abandoned the family, leaving them to fend for themselves. His mother, Karen Otieno, has shouldered the immense responsibility of raising six children on her own.
Karen, who earns a modest income as a small repair tailor in their village, shared, “I struggle to make ends meet with the meager income from my tailoring job. Balancing expenses is extremely challenging, given the limited resources.” She further explained.
“Martin has three other siblings who urgently require sponsorship for their school fees. The eldest had to defer university for a year due to a lack of funds, another is in college, and one has completed secondary education, awaiting enrollment in a tertiary institution. Martin is set to take his final primary school examination this year and will require support to attend secondary school next year. His younger sibling is currently in Grade 6. The burden of paying for all their education expenses alone is overwhelming for me.”
Currently, Martin’s school fees are being covered by the school itself, showing empathy for his situation.
Joseph Okun, the Headteacher at Manna Academy, revealed that Manna Academy was established to help such children coming from poor families get access to education. Various interventions have been put in place to ensure that there is access for all.
“Majority of our students hail from very poor backgrounds , most of them being orphans and from struggling single parent families. At Manna Academy we are able to accommodate such children due to the support we receive from various partners. We receive learning materials, our teachers wages are supported and we also have a feeding program to help all children access regular meals in school.” Headteacher Okun stated.
As Martin approaches the completion of his primary school education in just a few months, there is a collective anticipation regarding his future. With his exceptional academic talent, it would be a tragedy if he were unable to continue his education due to financial constraints.
The school community firmly believes in Martin’s academic potential and hopes that he can secure sponsorship to smoothly transition to secondary school. “Our heartfelt prayer is that Martin Rodgers receives the support he needs to pursue higher education. He is an incredibly bright young boy whom we cannot afford to see go to waste. His mother is overburdened and unable to meet the financial demands of school fees,” stated Headteacher Okun.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Karen Otieno prays for a miracle. She dreams of a brighter future for her son and her other three children, hoping they can find support to continue their educational pursuits.
It’s essential to note that Martin Rodgers represents nearly 90% of the 420 students at Manna Academy, who come from vulnerable backgrounds, including struggling single-parent families and orphans.
Manna Ministries International has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at alleviating the financial burden on families like Martin’s, offering support such as providing uniforms and student sponsorships.
Another initiative is the school feeding program, supported by Manna Ministries and its partners. This program ensures that every student receives a nutritious breakfast and lunch. Recognizing that education is the key to a brighter future, these efforts are crucial in providing a lifeline to vulnerable children like Martin, enabling them to pursue their dreams and escape the cycle of poverty.
Education being the key to a brighter future, is the best way for rescue of vulnerable children.
If you wish to support Martin Rodgers continue with education kindly get in touch with us.
Comments
Richard Tiberius
Peter Mumbe