Martha Okoth is 21 years old, the second youngest of 6 children in her family. She grew up in Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum. Both her parents work to provide money for the family. Her father works as a security guard while her mother runs a small business roasting maize.
In 2014, Martha was among our second cohort of students from Little Rock to receive an EPN scholarship to secondary school. And thanks to our commitment to provide entrance fees for advanced education, Martha entered Multimedia University of Kenya in 2018. Looking back, Martha is grateful for all the help she’s received.
“Being a student here in university did not just happen. It’s because of the support I received from caring people. The support from Little Rock made me have hope in life that I could be anything I ever dreamed of.”
Martha did very well on her entrance exams to secondary school, qualifying for a 4-year EPN scholarship to one of Kenya’s best boarding high schools. Martha remembers what it was like leaving home for the first time.
“My first experience in ninth grade was not very good. I was scared and felt out of place since I knew no one in a school of 1200 students. I wanted to follow my mother back home, but it wasn’t possible. Thankfully after a few weeks I started getting used to my new environment. By the end of my first year I was chosen to be a dormitory prefect. Both the teachers and students voted for me because I was disciplined and very hardworking in my studies.”
“At the end of 10th grade I was again voted to be a dormitory prefect, this time for one of the largest dormitories in the school. I really didn’t like being a leader because I felt it was interfering with my studies. But I was determined to work hard in both. In my junior year I became the deputy president of the whole school and at the end of that year I became the school president. With the support of my teachers and with wisdom from God I led well in my senior year.”
Martha did well on her high school finals which qualified her to enter university. Most students can obtain low interest government loans to pay for their advanced education but are still required to pay a $500 “entrance fee.” Once again, EPN stepped up to provide funding so Martha could enroll in the Multimedia University of Kenya where she is now a sophomore.
“I chose to study Sociology, Psychology and Political Science because I am passionate about people and I want to help them wherever I can. University life has not been an easy adjustment. You need to be self-disciplined and responsible for yourself unlike in Primary and High School where the teachers guided us. In campus we have lots of freedom.”
“During the holidays, I find it fulfilling to give back to the community. This year I volunteered at Little Rock as an assistant teacher and through that I have learned patience and love.”
“I am grateful to Little Rock and to Eliminate Poverty NOW for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”