Like many who got admitted to prestigious schools but finances locked them out, Hesbon Wabwire was not an exception.
The 16-year-old made an odd decision of walking a distance of 78 kilometres from Busia to Maseno, carrying nothing else but an admission letter. He was dressed in his primary school uniform.
Asked why, he explained that his mother was bedridden and could not afford to educate him, after securing 386 marks in 2019 KCPE.
Upon arrival at Maseno, the administration offered him a uniform, and together with other well wishers, they contributed towards his personal effects' purchase.
SOS National Director Walter Odhiambo on Friday gave a Sh54,000 cheque to Maseno as fee for wabwire.
His mother will also be taken into an empowerment programme to help her cater for Wabwire and his three siblings.
"We decided to make this programme holistic so that Wabwire does not only get the best while in school, but also back home during the holidays," said Odhiambo.
Wabwire, in a thankful tone, pledged to work hard to realise his dream of becoming a doctor.
"I am humbled, when I decided to walk from home to school I did not know that my case would touch so many souls. I did not want to imagine losing on this chance and God is good my dream of joining Maseno School has come to pass. I promise to do the best so that I can also do the same to people in a situation like mine in future."
Maseno School deputy headteacher Peter Nyawach said they were touched by the boy's plight.
"We did the little we could to retain him in school and are glad that SOS "has taken up his case," he stated.