The Chandaria Foundation Education Scholarship came in my hour of need

In a world where people often seek a touch of brilliance, JILLO GALGALO WAQO, a charismatic 20-year-old, stands out as a true source of inspiration. His sharp wit and extraordinary intelligence bring vivid colors to our world, brightening every conversation he engages in with his remarkable presence. “I grew up in Moyale Constituency in Marsabit County.

My father worked as a border patrol officer in Moyale, while my mother devoted her time to being a homemaker. Due to insecurity challenges at the border, I started schooling when I was very young, and I attended four primary schools”. I attended my initial school, which was named Junior Academy. At that time, I was very young, and the educational content was somewhat difficult for me to grasp.

Subsequently, I enrolled in Full Gospel Academy, a Catholic mission school situated close to the border. However, due to safety concerns in that area, my father decided to transfer me to Amazing Grace Academy, another Catholic mission school. By the time I reached Class Six, I had realized that the school I was attending didn’t offer much promise for the future. This was primarily because the teachers were not very committed to their teaching duties. Recognizing this, I approached my father and asked him to arrange for my transfer to a different school. My father transferred me to Gateway Academy for Class 7 and Class 8.

I worked diligently and achieved a place among the top three students in my class. Interestingly, my father had great confidence in me and didn’t closely monitor my grades. He observed my commitment as I consistently woke up early to study and revise even before he started his morning prayers. When I sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2017, I scored 420 marks and was the fourth candidate in the entire county. With guidance from my elder brother, I chose Starehe Boys Centre as one of my secondary school options. He provided me with application forms, and I, along with seven of my friends, completed them.

In the end, four of us were successful, and we all started our education at Starehe Boys Centre in 2018, sharing the same class. During my third term in Form One, the school administration sponsorship office assigned me the responsibility of writing a letter to my sponsor. When I inquired about the identity of my sponsor, I learned that it was the Chandaria Foundation, facilitated through KCDF. This annual letter-writing undertaking became a consistent practice, holding me accountable and contributing to my development as a responsible and dependable young individual. This commitment to accountability has driven me to excel academically, as I prioritize my studies. It has also fueled my passion for knowledge, leading me to pursue a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nairobi. I consider myself fortunate that the Chandaria Foundation Education Scholarship, in partnership with KCDF, arrived just when I needed it most during my time at Starehe Boys Centre (SBC).

This scholarship supported my education for all four years, from Form One to Form Four. During the first term of my Form Four year, I received a letter from KCDF, inviting me to participate in a life skills training workshop. This workshop provided me with the opportunity to connect and interact with fellow KCDF scholars, some of whom came from as far as Mombasa and Kisumu. I’ve faced significant challenges during my education journey that could have prematurely halted it, but I persevered.

For example, while studying at Full Gospel Academy, there were sporadic conflicts at the Ethiopian border involving government forces and rebel groups. To reach school safely, I had to exit through the Kenyan gate, walk through a precarious no man’s land, and then reach the school located in a remote corner, making my daily journey quite perilous due to the volatile border situation.

During that time, many of my friends were involved in drug use, making it challenging for me to socialize with them. Fortunately, I matured quickly at a young age, and I sought guidance from my religion, which helped me stay on a different path. In my high school years, I held leadership positions for three years, with my final role being a school prefect. While I had the potential for higher leadership positions, I chose to prioritize my academics due to the time commitment involved in higher offices. Instead of pursuing a school captain role, I opted to become a library prefect, where I had an office in the library, allowing me to focus on my studies.

Additionally, I served as the treasurer for the Starehe Boys Muslim Students Organization, and in Form Three, I held the distinction of being the Best Boy in the Organization. The teachers at Starehe Boys played a pivotal role in our transformation from boys to young men, and I learned numerous valuable lessons during my time there. At Starehe Boys Centre (SBC), where academic excellence was common, I considered myself an average student. However, it was in Form Three that I began to realize that my time in high school was nearing its end, prompting me to prioritize my studies.

Alongside academics, I actively participated in extracurricular activities, including the Presidential Award Scheme, where I earned two Bronze Certificates, a Silver medal, and a Gold medal. Additionally, I was a member of the school’s football team, enjoying both the academic and extracurricular aspects of my high school journey. After sitting for my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in 2021, I returned home and engaged with the local football team while awaiting my results.

Ultimately, I achieved an A- grade with a total of 74 points in the KCSE examinations. In October 2022, I embarked on my journey at the University of Nairobi, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine. During my first semester, I received a call from Elly Onyango, KCDF’s Education Programme Officer, informing me about a scholarship opportunity. The annual school fees for government-sponsored students like me amounted to Sh.59,000.

By the end of the semester, I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Chandaria Foundation Education Scholarship by KCDF, which not only covered my school fees but also provided me with a grant upkeep of Sh.25,000 per semester. Additionally, I applied for a bursary from the county government, which I’m still waiting to receive. My passion for veterinary medicine has grown as I’ve delved into subjects like biology and biochemistry. I’ve always loved pets and even had a cat as a child, though I never imagined I’d be studying veterinary medicine.

Currently, I’m on attachment at the Moyale sub-county veterinary office, working closely with friendly doctors and assisting with livestock farmer follow-ups. I’m an avid reader, constantly seeking knowledge and exploration. I delve into educational books like “The 48 Laws of Power,” “The Laws of Human Nature,” “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” and more. In my spare time from studying medicine, I focus on religious books, reading the Quran in Arabic and its English translation. I’m even learning Arabic to expand my language skills, with plans to study French in the future, understanding that language plays a crucial role in communication as a future vet doctor.

The scholarship that has supported me throughout my four years of high school and now in university is invaluable. It not only brightens my career prospects but also enriches my spiritual journey. I’m eternally grateful for this opportunity and aspire to give back to the scholarship in the future. In contrast to my parents’ educational paths—my mother Halima Galgalo Waqo, who completed Class Eight, and my father, Galgalo Waqo, who reached A Level—academic scholarships have paved the way for my siblings’ education.

My second-born brother pursued a Bachelor of Economics degree at Mt. Kenya University, while my elder sister pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the same university. My third-born brother is now a fourth-year civil engineering student at the University of Nairobi, my younger sister is a Class Eight student preparing for KCPE, and my youngest brother is in Class Four. Furthermore, my eldest brother has secured employment with the Marsabit County government, marking a promising future for our family”.