Dogged determination and desire to succeed pays! Your status won’t change unless you pay the ultimate sacrifice of hard work, just like Grace Owino.
We celebrate 15 year old Grace Owino, a student of Masira primary school in Nambale, Kenya for showing great dedication towards attaining success by walking over 50 kilometres just to go to school.
From a poor background, her dream of furthering her education was almost tarnished following her mother’s inability to pay her secondary school fees and also transport fare to travel the far distance.

When the 15 year old came out of the house clad in her old primary school uniform and worn out sandals, then declared her intention of walking to school which was over 50km away, everyone expressed different degrees of disbelief.
She began her journey from Nasira village to the school over 45km away, deep in Busia county with nothing more than the best wishes of her mother and Sh200 from her former teacher.
After spending the available money on other necessities, the young girl was left with an empty stomach and no means of provision. She braced the morning chill, making slow but sure steps towards her destination.
Hours later, Grace arrived at the Butere Girls High school with a huge smile on her face, not minding the swollen feet and cracked lips, a sure sign of dehydration.
With dusty feet, a tattered uniform and no money to pay her fees, this young girl braved her shame and pleaded her case before the administrative management of the school, explaining her desire to attend the school and the constraints of the fees.
The deputy head of administration of the school James Wetindi instantly offered her free tuition, uniforms and other provisions needed to make her time in the school comfortable, including a place to sleep, all the while amazed at her strong will to succeed.
News of her determination spread like wildfire across the county until it got to our source who sought an interview with the permission of the school’s administration over her case.
Still amazed by her zeal, Mr Wetindi said “Akinyi scored 392 marks in the last year’s KCPE exams which was why she received a call up letter from the school. She is simply brilliant”.
When asked about why she chose to embark on such a journey, her reply rocked everyone to the core.
“I am not ready to take the same direction my elder sisters and other colleagues have taken. They dropped out of primary school to be married when life became unbearable” she said.
Residents across the county are begging the governor to give the amazing teenager a scholarship in order to fulfill her dreams.
We Celebrate You Grace Owino For Your Determined Mind
Source: standardmedia.co.ke