Mr. Chweya

Earlier this week, my teaching partner and good friend Mercy told me the fascinating story of how her father overcame huge financial challenges to create opportunities for his family. Mr. Chweya had a very humble upbringing in the Kisii region of rural Kenya. As a young man, his family couldn't afford his school fees and he was unable to attend primary school. Undaunted, Mr. Chweya studied by himself at home and attended only the final exams. He continued his self-home-schooling for eight years and did not simply pass; his grades were so good that he got accepted to a prestigious provincial secondary school. Unfortunately he still couldn't afford the school fees for secondary school and had no choice but to study autonomously for the next four years at sit in solely to write the end of year exams. Mr. Chweya scored so well on his exams that he was accepted to University to take a degree in education. He worked as a private teacher to pay his University tuition and finally graduated but his hardship and sacrifice did not end there. Since he was the only university-educated member of his family, the responsibility of paying the school fees of his two younger brothers and sister rested solely on his shoulders. In the end, Mr. Chweya successfully supported his three siblings through secondary school and helped his sister obtain her university degree. He is now a deputy principal at the Njoro Boys Secondary School.

Mercy told me that Mr. Chweya always says: "You are the only one who can define your destiny, and only you can make the future the way you want it to be".

Cheers, Bryan