Class: 8th Grade Graduates of 2019 (Rodi)

Agnes’ grandmother brought her to Achungo in 2019 for her 8th grade because she wanted something better for Agnes – a place for Agnes to go to school where she would feel loved.  She had been attending God-Kado Primary but she had no desk, had to sit on the floor and was not given any … Continued

Agnes Lillian lives with her cousin about 20 minutes’ walk from school and was brought to Achungo in 2014, entering 3rd grade.  She has a brother in high school and a younger brother (3) and sister (7).  Her parents died in a traffic accident on their way to Nairobi when she was little.  She says … Continued

Ariel’s parents enrolled her in 7th grade at Achungo in 2018.  She had been going to Sango Academy in Homa Bay but her parents could no longer afford to pay the school fees.  She immediately felt welcomed here.  “At Achungo the teachers are more loving and caring and they really teach you.”  She likes all … Continued

Aziza never knew her father, and her mother, Jackline Hassan, died from illness when Aziza was a few years’ old.   She lives with her step-mother, Trizer Hassan, and her brother (Shaban, 15) and sister (Zorah, 19) in Ndhiwa, about 15 miles away.   Her step-mother brought her to Achungo in 2014, into 3rd grade. Before that … Continued

Beyonce was brought to Achungo in 2013 by her grandfather (age 75), entering 3rd grade.  The two of them live in Busia (a few miles away).  She also has an older sister and brother who work in health science.  She told us that her parents abandoned her and that “they were very poor and could … Continued

Billy lives with his mother and uncle in Rangwe (about 8 miles from Achungo) along with his 3 brothers: Jimmy, Lucky, and Teddy.  His older sister, Lonie, is in high school.  Billy’s uncle, Mr. Benson, is a teacher at Achungo and brought him to Achungo in 2017 into 6th grade.  Before that he was at … Continued

Bornface lived with his father and brother until 4th grade.  His Father remarried and moved to Nairobi, leaving Bornface to live with his grandmother and his two siblings in Kanyada, about 4 miles away.  There he was in school at Majiwa Primary.  “We had to sit on the ground and had to go home for … Continued

Brian came to Achungo in 2018 (7th grade) after the Director told his mother about the school.  His father had died from kidney disease in 2012. Brian lives alone with his mother.  His brother and four sisters are in school elsewhere.  He told us that his mother is a very hardworking woman who works hard … Continued

Initially, Buong Rollince attended primary near Imbo (4 miles away) until second grade, in 2012.  That was when his parents moved to Nairobi and he stayed behind with his grandmother.  He lives with her in Rangwe (about 4 miles away).  His siblings, Brighton (3), Mary (5), and Violet (12) live in Nairobi with his father … Continued

Collins’ grandfather brought him to Achungo in 2016, enrolling him in 6th grade.  He told me that Achungo is well known and “has trained teachers and good student performance.”  Before that Collins had attended Kotonje Primary near Imbo (about 3 miles away).  “The teachers did not teach well and students would often leave school without permission. … Continued

Everlyne’s brother heard about Achungo and in 2018, enrolled her in 7th grade.  She was living in Kisumu (2 hours away) with her Aunt and two older brothers, who are both now in college.  She told us, “I don’t know where my parents are, but am still moving on with my life.” She had been … Continued

Originally from Tanzania, Glory Came to Achungo in 2018 entering 7th grade.  Her mother had found out about it on the internet as they searched for a better school.  She had been attending Doris Primary, a public school in Tanzania.  It was a large school with two classes in each grade — “We were not … Continued

Helen was brought to Achungo by her guardian, Aunt Metris, in 2016, joining our 5th grade.   She lives with her Aunt and two younger sisters, Rose (8), Juliet (10), in Ndhiwa (about 11 miles away).   Her older sister, Jael, is in high school.  She told us that she never knew her father or mother and … Continued

Jevia lives with her father (51), mother (39), and siblings (ages 3 months to 21 years): Elvira, Britney, Maxwell, Marion, and Mike.  She originally enrolled in the preschool at Achungo in 2010 but after 3rd grade her family moved to Siaya County  (5 hours away by bus) to look for work and she attended Utoma … Continued

Lucy was brought to Achungo in 2015 and enrolled in 5th grade by her grandmother who had learned about it from one of the teachers.  Lucy’s father died from cancer when she was two years old and her mother died some time later in a car accident along with Lucy’s siblings.  Lucy lives with her … Continued

Mercy’s aunt and sister brought her to Achungo in 2011 and she joined the Kindergarten class.  “I live with them in Ojunge (30-40 minutes by motorcycle) and also have two adult brothers, Mike and Calvince.  I have lived on-campus since 6th grade.  My parents died when I was a baby; my father murdered.  I don’t … Continued

Mevish lives in Kochia (8 miles away) with her 28-year-old sister, Jackline, as well as her aunt  and her brother, Jacob (13) and sister, Melvin (10).  Jackline is working and supports the family.   Mevish’s father died when she was young.  Jackline brought her to Achungo in 2014 to join 4th Grade, referred by the regional … Continued

Natasha joined Achungo in 2006 for her 2nd grade.  Before that she had attended Rodi Primary.  Her brother Nick was already at Achungo and her mother brought Natasha to Achungo to get better teaching.  She told us it was the best day of her life.    At Rodi Primary she says there were too few teachers … Continued

Nicolar lives nearby with her mother, aunt, sister Loreen, and her older brother Warren.   Loreen is 22 and recently finished University with a degree in Agriculture.   In 2008 her sister had heard about Achungo and enrolled Nicolar in the preschool (she was 4).  The family had heard it was a good school with solid academics … Continued

Pauline’s grandmother brought her to Achungo in 2015 into 4th grade.  “I had been going to Rodi Primary school but there the learning was not good and teachers often didn’t come to class.  We were not being cared for like at Achungo.  Here there is good learning, the teachers teach good, and there is a … Continued

Roline’s parents passed away when she was very young.  “My father died in a road accident and my mother was robbed on her way from the market.  That’s how I became an orphan.”   She lives in Ndhiwa (about 10 miles away) with her paternal grandparents (Mr. and Mrs. Nyambura) and her 11-year-old brother, Kenneth Otieno. … Continued

Steve’s parents brought him to Achungo in 2008 into the preschool class.  His home is nearby, about 30 minutes’ walk, where he lives with his parents, little sister and his older and younger brothers.  His father tends to their subsistence farm plot while his mother takes care of the home and children. He says they … Continued

Tony lives in Ndhiwa (12 miles away) with his parents.  “They grow sugar cane to sell.”  His older brother, Wilfred Ochieng, is in University and his younger brother, Henry, is in 3rd grade.  Tony enrolled at Achungo in 2014 into 3rd grade.   Before that he attended Rarage, a public primary.  He told us, “The teaching there … Continued

Trizer lives with her mother, Everlyne Akinyi, in Kisumu (two hours’ drive) and her two brothers, Paul Omondi (20) and Humphrey (8).  Her father died several years ago.  Because they could not pay school fees, Paul had to drop out of school.   Trizer was attending Nyamasaria Primary school in Kisumu but also couldn’t continue because … Continued

Vivian’s guardians brought her to Achungo in 2015 enrolling her in our 4th grade.   She lived in Kisumu (2 hours’ drive) with her aunt.  She has two older brothers and two sisters.  The oldest brother and sister are working, one as a teacher and the other in the police department.  Her parents separated when she … Continued

Yvonne was brought to Achungo in 2016 by her aunt and enrolled in our 5th grade.  They live in Oyugis (about 7 miles away).  She told us that her mother lives in another town, and her father died a long time ago. Her sister, Idah Mercy, is in 6th grade and lives with her mother. … Continued