Our next student spotlight article features 16-year-old Rose, a resilient young woman from Isiolo County. Approximately four years ago, Rose's mother fell severely ill. However, due to financial constraints, seeking medical attention was out of reach for her family. For two agonizing years, they held onto hope, but sadly, her mother's health continued to decline without any diagnosis or treatment. Eventually, Rose’s mother succumbed to the unknown illness in 2022, leaving the family emotionally and financially strained. Now in eighth grade at the time, Rose’s family could no longer pay the school fees for her to advance to secondary school. With mounting financial pressure and limited options for her family to gain extra income other than the dowry from marrying her, Rose found herself facing the harrowing possibility of child marriage. Thankfully, VYF moran James Ekuwam was able to bring Rose’s situation to the attention of the Village Youth Fund, allowing us to give her a scholarship to start ninth grade this year at St. Mary’s Secondary School. After a successful completion of quarter 1, Rose had a month of vacation to visit her family before she will go back to start quarter 2 with the rest of her classmates on April 30th. James recently stopped by Rose’s home to interview her for this student spotlight article:
James: Hello, Rose! I am thrilled to meet with you today for this special interview. Being selected as the Student of the Month and having a dedicated article about you is a fantastic achievement, and we're eager to learn more about you.
Before we jump into the questions, I want to assure you that this interview is all about having fun and getting to know you better. There are no right or wrong answers—just your unique perspective and experiences. If there are any questions that you do not want to answer, you can just say “pass” and we can skip to a different question. This interview should take around 20 minutes. Do you have any questions for me before we get started? Are you ready?
James: Who is your hero or someone you look up to and why?
Rose: My hero is doctors because I want to be a doctor in my future for tomorrows life (a better future)
James: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Rose: America because it seems like an interesting place
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James: What is your happiest memory?
Rose: My happiest memory is to be in school and get a scholarship from the Village Youth Fund
James: If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what advice would you give the younger version of yourself?
Rose: To be in school with all my mind and to listen (to) what is being taught there. Not to listen to those who have more correction about myself (ignore those that are always criticizing her)
James: If you were president of Kenya one day, which laws would you pass/ what changes would you make?
Rose: To help the needy and my community
James: Of all the things you are learning, which do you think will be the most useful when you are an adult?
Rose: The importance of learning and respecting each other
James: What’s one thing you are really good at that you think others might struggle with?
Rose: I am good at dancing and singing
James: Can you share a story about a time that you felt really proud of yourself?
Rose: The time that I found this scholarship and I was the one who (had) been selected in my village to be a form one student
James: what do you think you will be doing 10 years from now?
Rose: I will be visiting the sick people, helping my community, and helping the needy
Stay connected with us by subscribing to our newsletter for regular updates on Rose's journey, along with stories of other remarkable children benefiting from VYF sponsorships! Please also continue to share the VYF with your networks, as we currently have 4 new girls on our waitlist hoping to receive a scholarship to go back to school as well.
