A man walks past Maranda High School. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Gabriel Ochieng, 21, joined Maranda High school as a form one on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, after serving as a security guard at the institution for three months. In 2016, his aunt helped him secure employment at Pride Kings Security Firm as a security guard at the school, where he earned Sh5, 500 per month.Ochieng opted to work as a security guard after he dropped out of school due to lack of school fees. However, the standard seven dropout met a female parent visiting the school who informed him about a programme sponsored by Unicef called Women Educational Researchers of Kenya (Werk) that helps needy children go back to school. He resigned and promised the then principle Mr Boaz Owino that he will come back as a student.He was admitted to Ofafa Jericho Primary School and was housed for a year by the school head teacher Elizabeth Kokwach.“I packed my belongings and traveled from Siaya to the unknown in Nairobi. I promised God and my sponsor that I would never let them down,” said Ochieng, as quoted by the Standard.Kokwach, who accompanied Ochieng to Maranda on Tuesday, said teachers at Ofafa Jericho Primary School contributed to his other needs as she catered for accommodation and food.“He had nothing save for a wooden box, a frayed blanket, and some omena. I gave him my husband’s shoes because the ones he had were in bad shape. Teachers contributed towards his other needs while I took care of his accommodation and food. He was obedient and hardworking,” she said.Ochieng, who comes from Ugenya, said he does not regret his past because it has been a learning experience."I don't regret my past because the journey, though tough, has been full of learning. I have emerged more mature and determined to walk the journey of life without ever looking back,” said Ochieng.His school fees for the four-year period that he will be in high school has been paid by a well-wisher who did not wish to be named.