My educational journey has had both good and challenging experiences. I started off at St. Moses Primary. With money being tight at home, the expectation of proving myself and bettering the lives of my family someday always stayed with me.

Being the firstborn, I had to set an example for my brothers by getting good grades in appreciation for our parents’ efforts to support our education. Once they saw their sister could do it, they would also put in their best efforts and make me proud.

School fees had always been an issue, especially when I was preparing to join high school. My dad sold off his only livestock for the joining fees, but it barely made a dent. The excitement of joining a national school, a rare occurrence in our home village, was clouded by the concerns of not being able to afford the opportunity.

I began to believe that I would probably end up learning at a school close by. However, by God’s grace, I managed to secure a scholarship with the Co-op Bank Foundation through the great efforts of my head-teacher to help his best student.

The support allowed me to go through all 4 years of high school worry-free and to concentrate on my studies. It also reduced the burden on my parents so they could better support my younger siblings.

Thanks to the Foundation, I went through an enriching high school experience that broadened my view of the world, something I would have lacked if I had remained at home. It led to me pursuing aeronautical engineering at Technical University under the Foundation’s University Scholarship Program awarded to the best 28 students (now 56) from the Regional Selection.

The course was very involving and quite a change from high school life, but I slowly adjusted. My most difficult period in university was when I fell ill. It was difficult managing classes, hospital visits, and tests, all while being away from home. There were also challenges such as strikes, both student-led and those initiated by the lecturers, the COVID outbreak, and school management issues.

The five-year program took almost eight years! I was perturbed by how long it was taking to finish my degree. However, I decided to be proactive and take part in the activities I could participate in without my certificate, such as applying for various internship opportunities. I finally graduated in March 2022 and joined an aviation engineering trainee program shortly after.

I believe that education is a lifelong endeavour, and the skills and ideas acquired via higher education are essential to an individual. I aim to pursue a Masters, possibly a Ph.D. eventually. I will also continue to take occasional short-term courses.

No one’s life is easy. We all must face our own set of challenges and setbacks. Even when we find ourselves in highly chaotic situations, we can remain determined in uncovering and pursuing any available opportunity. To top it all, let God be your guide; He will never lead you astray.