At 40 Years, IVTG Revived My Dream
My name is Abel Omamo, I am 43 years old and an electrical engineering student at Nairobi Industrial Institute. My father died in 1989 when I was just getting into class 4. He was our family’s breadwinner and with his death it meant that we had to find an alternative to survive. And one way to do so was to move from Nairobi to our rural home in western Kenya where life was affordable. Our relocation affected my studies and I was forced me to drop out of school as I had no one to cater for my school fees while in Western Kenya. My mother wasn’t working.
Without going to school, I had to start doing some casual work where I could get some little payment to cater my family and also save for my studies. After a few years, I managed to go back to school and completed my primary school education. Sadly, I couldn’t join secondary school immediately. This forced me back into casual work. I worked for several years before joining high school. Finally, I managed to sit for my Kenya Secondary Education Certificate in 2007.
After completing my secondary school education, I couldn’t proceed to college due to financial constraints. Again I went back to doing casual work in the neighborhood and local industries. Even as I was doing all these, I hadn’t lost hope of pursuing further studies. I had the will and desire to do it. I had conquered all my fears through primary to secondary school. In 2019 I decided to give it a try. I sought admission in several colleges but after careful consideration I decided on joining the Nairobi industrial Institute, Komarock Campus. I chose this college because it is opposite my neighborhood, Kayole, thus I would save on commuting and other expenses. The other reason was also because of its affordable school fees.
After admission, I couldn’t raises the required school fees. Actually, it took me six months to clear the admission fee. After noticing my commitment and zeal for education the college administrator allowed me to attend class but had to commit that I will ensure that all the fess are paid before the first term came to an end. Miraculously, before the term came to an end, the administrator called me to his office and told me that there is a local organization that was offering scholarship for needy students.
This was the best news I had heard for a very time. Several weeks later, I was introduced to the organization when they came again to meet the potential and needy students. That organization is Inua Village to Global Foundation (IVTGF). The organization committed to pay for my fee balance and thereafter started paying my fees on a monthly basis. Each month I receive Kshs. 3,500 from the foundation which is paid directly to the college.
I would have finished my studies by now but the school calendar got disrupted after the COVID_19 pandemic. Last year I completed my first module without any challenges because of the support given by the foundation. I am now in my third module and almost done with my certificate level.
Through this knowledge and skills, I want to become a solution to the society as well as start my own venture in line with what I studies.
IVTGF made my dream come true. It gave me another reason to dream and not just dream but dream big! I want to appreciate the foundation, its partners and everyone involved.
