After scoring three hundred and eighty-six marks in my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, I earned admission to one of the most prestigious national schools—S.A. Kolanya Girls High School. Overwhelmed with excitement, I felt my dream of becoming a medical doctor inching closer to reality. However, amidst the joy, a harsh reality soon confronted me: school fees.
Let me take you back for a moment.
In primary school, my parents toiled tirelessly to ensure I studied in one of the most affordable schools. Although it strained them financially, they made every sacrifice possible to keep my brothers—one of them my twin—and me in school.
So, having not just one but two daughters joining a good national high school was a huge milestone for our family. When I looked at the statistics of the cost of joining high school, I felt overwhelmed. If supporting one student was challenging, what about two? Not just joining—but sustaining us throughout our education? I weighed my chances of reporting to school against staying behind, and sadly, the latter seemed more likely.
Yet, trusting in the Lord, I clung to hope, waiting for His divine intervention. And truly, the Lord came through. Through one of my relatives, I was introduced to the Red Rubber Ball Foundation, where I applied—and by God’s grace, I was adopted into their program.
The Foundation did not only support me financially but also emotionally and mentally. Through Jean, my school fees were fully paid in advance. Every year, the Foundation organized workshops where we were equipped with life-changing knowledge—from mental and physical health to social skills and personal development.
Let me paint a picture of one of those workshops.
We would arrive at a beautifully arranged venue and wait for the rest of the students. Each of us received cute name tags with our favorite names on them. We began by introducing ourselves, then divided into groups where we played games, competed, and bonded along the way. Then came the best part—food. As a foodie, this was always my highlight! The meals were simply scrumptious.
Later, we had a prize-giving session where certificates were awarded to outstanding students. I always looked forward to this moment because I consistently ranked among them. We also received thoughtful gifts, and cards from our sponsors and were given a chance to write back to them. This was always deeply emotional for me—imagining someone, somewhere, sacrificing their resources to uplift a Kenyan child.
After interacting with the leaders, we would leave the venue at our own time, hearts full and spirits lifted.
It was after such gatherings that I would sit down and plan my academic year. I understood that despite all the support, I alone had to sit in class, listen attentively, and give my very best in exams. I knew I had a responsibility—to make God proud, to honor my parents, and to do justice to the faith my sponsors had placed in me. During these moments, I drew my timetables, set goals for every term, and mapped out my entire year.
Today, as I write this seated in my campus residence, having scored an A grade of eighty-two points and secured a chance to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at Pwani University, I look back with deep gratitude. My journey has taught me this powerful truth:
With faith in God, discipline, and determination, nothing is impossible. If you set your mind to it, you can rise beyond every limitation.
Evelyne Adongo
All RRBF sponsored students who achieve an A or A- grade in their end of term school exams receive a certificate of achievement to recognize and reward their efforts.
Under the new education system these are now awarded to students who are rated as ‘Exceeding Expectations’.