A Refugee’s Academic Victory: Anjelo’s Path from South Sudan to Kabianga National School
Dozens of lives were lost and many more were injured as conflict intensified in South Sudan, leaving women and children as the predominant victims of displacement.
Seeking safety, Anjelo Odura Patrick’s family relocated to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County, Kenya in 2016, constructing a new life with the hope that normalcy would one day return to South Sudan.
Forging a new path in the camp proved challenging for Anjelo, who recalls, “Life in the camp was not a walk in the park.” Despite the adversity, he defied the odds and achieved an impressive score of 410 marks in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams at the age of 16.
ALSO READ: Teacher Shortages, Textbook Woes: The Struggle of Public Schools in JSS Implementation
Anjelo studied in Kakuma Refugee Camp but registered for the exams at Kamusinga AC, located approximately 500 kilometers away in Bungoma County.
As the fourth of seven children, Anjelo balanced assisting his mother with caring for his siblings and studying with revision materials borrowed from the school camp.
The family relied on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for daily sustenance in Kakuma. Raised by a single mother in the aftermath of war, Anjelo’s journey took a positive turn in 2023 when a teacher from the camp assisted him in securing a scholarship to Kamusinga AC in Bungoma.
During holidays, Anjelo stayed at the school, receiving support for food, clothing, and shelter. Despite occasional homesickness, he persevered, driven by the aspiration for a brighter future. Anjelo’s determination paid off when he successfully completed the KCPE exams, reuniting with his family.
ALSO READ: Grade Nine Learners to Move to High Schools: Struggles and Realities of JSS
Receiving the good news from the same teacher who facilitated his departure from the refugee camp, Anjelo learned about his admission to Kabianga Boys High School in Kericho.
Teachers at Kamusinga AC contributed approximately Sh3500 for his journey from Kakuma to Kericho, with a sympathetic shuttle conductor covering the remaining shortfall.
Anjelo’s arrival at Kabianga on Thursday afternoon was met with exhaustion. Armed with a letter of admission, documentation, and a letter of recommendation from Kamusinga AC’s deputy head teacher, Ms Emma Masafu, Anjelo sought the assistance of Mr. Ezekiel Kurgat, the school’s principal.
Acknowledging Anjelo’s challenging circumstances, Mr. Ezekiel pledged support and mentioned that helping students like Anjelo was not uncommon at Kabianga.
ALSO READ: Kenyan Teacher Rose Tata Wekesa Aims for Guinness World Record with Longest Science Class
The Nation obtained an admission letter from Ms. Emma Masafu, emphasizing Anjelo’s humble background, hardworking nature, discipline, and promise for the future.
Accompanied by a Kakuma Refugee Camp movement pass, duly signed by Kakuma Camp Manager Edwin Chabari and his deputy Gideon Cise, Anjelo’s journey to Kabianga serves as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.
The document, expiring on December 12, 2024, outlines the necessary procedures to be followed upon return from travel, reinforcing the challenges refugees like Anjelo navigate on their journey to success.
A Refugee’s Academic Victory: Anjelo’s Path from South Sudan to Kabianga National School
