As the sun sets every evening, so does Elijah Baraka’s dream of becoming a doctor.
He goes to bed in his mud-walled and grass-thatched house wishing a Good Samaritan would come forward to pay his university fees.
Born and raised in the poverty-stricken Kaembeni village in Ganze, Kilifi county, Baraka scored an A- at the Mekatilili Memorial Secondary School in last year’s KCSE exam.
His dream came true when he was admitted to Egerton University to study medicine.
This achievement came after a dedicated effort. Baraka initially scored a B+ in the 2022 KCSE but chose to repeat in order to secure a higher grade for a medical degree.
“I joined Mekatilili in 2019 and did my first KCSE in 2022 when I scored a B+. This grade did not allow me to pursue my course of choice, hence I made up my mind to go back to school and aim for a higher grade. I had my mind set on medicine because I believe I will be able to get my family out of poverty once I graduate,” he said.
But he is now stuck. In his quest for financial support Baraka has knocked on the doors of several organisations and offices of leaders but all in vain.
His application to the Higher Education Loans Board was unsuccessful because he didn't have a national identity card, even though he applied for one earlier in March.
Baraka's education was largely supported by his teachers, who recognised his potential and paid his fees. The school principal even gave him a bicycle to facilitate his long commute to school.
The first year of his course will cost Sh490,000, with additional expenses for transport and accommodation bringing the total to over Sh500,000. His family, which survives on menial jobs, cannot raise this amount.
With the reporting date of August 19 fast approaching, Baraka is urgently appealing to well-wishers for financial assistance to help him achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.
His father, Justin Hare, said they had exhausted their search for assistance. He wanted to sell a portion of his three-acre land, but potential buyers offered prices far below market value.
“Baraka has a dream. I have tried to make sure he realises his dream but I've now hit a dead end. I have tried to sell my land but because they know I am selling it to settle a problem they are giving me prices that cannot sustain even a semester,” he said
Baraka remains hopeful that well-wishers will come forward to support his educational journey. He can be reached on 0790591193.