Determination has no barrier
by George Omiro
Meet Sharon Oduor, a 12th-grade boarding student at Royal Kids School in Mombasa, Kenya, who dreams about becoming a teacher. She has maintained an academic edge by studying diligently and serving as a volunteer student library assistant at her school library, founded by e3kids international.
Sharon studying
However, with the current closure of Kenyan schools due to COVID-19, boarding students have had to go home. Sharon’s family lives too far away, so she had to find a local place to stay to wait out the quarantine. Luckily, a teacher took her in.
Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has paralyzed education systems, and 12th graders in Kenya have a particularly difficult challenge. They must pass the K.C.S.E. national exam in order to attend college or university. Normally Sharon and other Kenyan seniors would be spending every waking minute preparing for that rigorous exam. With the on-going lockdown and school closures, 12th-grade students countrywide may have to repeat this school year. Without academic instruction or access to educational resources, students have to figure out how to stay on track and prepare on their own.
Even without access to technology or sufficient study materials, Sharon stays on top of her academic work. She studies independently until very late each night, and she even teaches herself new academic subjects. She has a thirst to achieve despite her extremely challenging circumstances. Sharon continues to serve others during this time as well. She is assisting a 9th-grade schoolmate, Mercy Belinda, to stay on track with her subjects, and she is mentoring and encouraging Mercy to pursue excellence in her studies.
Mercy Belinda, Sharon’s mentee.
Are you inspired by Sharon’s determination and heart of service? Make a difference in the lives of students like Sharon and Mercy. Consider making a commitment to equip, empower and educate kids in Kenya.