Homa Bay Orphan Who Pleaded For Help To Join High School Relieved As She Gets Full Scholarship

• Olivet Achieng's family expressed gratitude to Homa Bay county governor Gladys Wanga for sponsoring their daughter
• Harrison Omondi, her uncle, said that a well-wisher insisted on offering assistance despite the county government's intervention
• Achieng's family started receiving messages of goodwill immediately after her story was published by TUKO.co.ke

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

The family of an orphaned girl, unable to attend high school due to lack of fees, has been relieved as Homa Bay county has come to her support.

How did Gladys Wanga know Olivet Achieng'?

Within a day of the article's publication, well-wishers inundated Harrison Omondi's inbox, expressing a desire to assist the 15-year-old in her education journey.

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Omondi mentioned that Governor Gladys Wanga was moved by the orphan's request and quickly arranged a meeting for him and the girl at the county education offices.

"Hours after the story spread widely, the county education office contacted me, asking that I bring Achieng to their office for a discussion regarding her education," he said.

To their astonishment, the governor had already arranged for Achieng's school fees, leaving them only to coordinate with the school regarding her uniform.

"Her education is now fully secured as God granted her wishes. The county government has offered her a full scholarship. Her main role is to study smart and ensure she rewards her supporters with good results. As a family, we are keeping her in our prayers," Omondi remarked.

Wanga responded to the plea after several people tagged her in the comments section, requesting her to intervene and ensure Achieng's education wasn't hindered.

Harrison Omondi thanks Wanga, wellwishers

As the second term commenced, Achieng happily enrolled in Form One at Atela Mixed Secondary School, relieved of the burden of school fees

Omondi expressed gratitude to the county government of Homa Bay for alleviating the family's financial strain and to all the well-wishers who extended their support, both emotionally and materially, making Achieng's educational dreams a reality.

"I was surprised by the love and well wishes we received. A well-wisher insisted on offering her assistance despite the county government's involvement. She bought her school uniform, bag, shoes, and some books. We are so grateful. May God bless everyone who heeded our call," he added.

Why did Achieng' plead for help?

At the tender age of four, Achieng' found herself orphaned, leading to her separation from her siblings, who were taken in by different relatives.

Raised by her uncle, Harrison Omondi, a peasant farmer, her education became a financial challenge as he struggled to cover her school fees single-handedly.

Despite Achieng's impressive score of 266 marks in the KCPE exams, the family had lost hope of her continuing her education. They couldn't even download her placement letter.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.