A 30-year-old woman,Janeth Jepleting from Kilibwoni village in Emgwen constituency in Nandi County narrates her ordeal, a journey of pain and anguish but this would not deter her quest for education
Janeth was born out of wedlock and raised by an alcoholic and violent father who most of the time mistreated her and made her life miserable, the lady has exposed to gender-based violence at an early age including domestic violence she faced by her mother undergoing.
She was later raised by her grandmother at nine years old but unfortunately, the grandmother passed away after two years and left Jepleting at a young age of eleven years forcing her to move from one relative’s home to another.
However, after she sat for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E) at thirteen years old, she became pregnant which worsened her situation forcing her to break for her studies.
The young lady ended up working as a house girl for two years, but was passionate to continue with her studies despite the prevailing situation, she was saving some cash for her studies and she was eager to join her colleagues in school.
Janet was lucky to join Mosop Stephen Kositany Girls High School in Nandi County with the help of Constituency Development Funds (NGCDF) Emgwen Constituency, she had financial instability but was determined to work as a cleaner at Moi Teaching And Referral Hospital (MTRH) just to help her raise her school fees.
Determined to pursue her Education Janet approached her boss with but one request a loan of Ksh 15,000 to cater for her school fees at Mosop Stephen Kositany Girls,but this could not be enough because of the huge fee arrears she had incurred.
“Stephen Kositany, the principal of Mosop Kositany Girls High School was worried about how I was going to raise the fees but I explained that I would get funds from Hon. Elijah Lagat, the then member of Parliament of Emgwen constituency would later provide her with a bursary to clear her fee arrears. “Said Janet
When the results were announced, Janet applied for a diploma course in Law at The Nairobi Institute of Business Studies in Nairobi County but later transferred to the Catholic University of Eastern Africa to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, unfortunately, she deferred her studies for one year because of financial constraints.
After a student fellowship at All Saints Cathedral on Tuesday evening, Janet met a well-wisher Valentine Gitoho, whom she narrated her life and likely , Gitoho was an angel among men, “
To my disbelief, Gotoho wrote me a Ksh 200,000 cheque to cater for my education I was also privileged to get a sponsorship from All Saints Cathedral, At least for once in my life I had experienced God’s Favors in a great way ”Narrated Janet
After graduating in 2018, Janet made several applications to the Universities in the United Kingdom (UK) and she was fortunate to get admitted to the University of Sussex, for further studies but it was self-sponsored making it expensive for her to join.
In 2021, she again made applications to a number of Universities in the U.S.A and this time she got admitted to Pepperdine University in California to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policing and got a scholarship of 13,000 dollars per year but later wrote a scholarship enhancement letter narrating her financial situation.
Her plea was considered and she received an increment of scholarship from 18,000 US dollars to 27,000 dollars per year and her educational journal had received an immense boost.
Jepleting was adamant that her past life could determine her educational Journey,A journey that has been an educational pitfall for many young girls who in many Kenyan communities in the rural set up are forced into early marriages, domestic violence, and in some communities female genital mutilation that completely shatters the dreams of many young girls.
And though the future looks bright Jepleting has secured her Visa to Pepperdine University, however, she looks up to well-wishers to support her and raise over Ksh600,000 to cater for her travel allowances and other educational costs.
“The scholarship is not covering full tuition fees and my friends and I are trying to do fundraising. Currently, we have only raised Ksh500, 000 and still we are in need of Kenya shilling One million.” Noted Janet
The Journey has not been easy, I thank God I have had well-wishers coming through, I hope and pray for some support to finish this final leg of my educational quest, it’s a journey close to my heart as it inspires young girls in my Kilibwoni village Nandi county and beyond who may have shared a bitter past with me, and in the words of Lupita Nyong’o every little dream is valid” She Said.
As Janet prepares for her journey overseas she is happy her son Allan Kipkoech who is now fifteen years old has recently joined Meteitei High School in Tinderet Constituency in Nandi County, she says Allan has been a pillar of strength in all her struggles.
Jepleting is encouraging those who feel like giving up to keep pushing for their dreams and should use criticism they face in life as a source of strength because in life nothing comes easy, eventually, there will be victory.
“I have political ambitions and after completing my Master’s degree in Pepperdine University, I am passionate about joining the Kenya National Intelligence Service (NIS) for my career and also start a foundation to help young women and girls in my society in a bid to empower more girls to live up to their dreams. “Said Janet
By Fenny Oyare
Post Author
She is a woman of determination, reminds me of what Winfrey Oprah said . May God help her .