Our 8th grade graduates from Achungo all have passed their KCPE exam and entered secondary schools (high schools). (Listed here with the year they will complete high school). This national exam qualifies them for high school. The national passing rate is less than 50% but 100% of our students taking it have passed. Thus we are now considered one of the top schools in the county and administrators and government leaders visit to understand our success. Our purpose now is to find sponsors to mentor them and help with scholarships so they can continue higher education as a major stepping stone toward successful lives. This is key to breaking the age-old cycle of poverty in this extremely poor region of the world.

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Adrian Griffins Ogira

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Adrian (14) told us, “When my parents died, they left behind three children: my sister Gloria, my brother Basil and I.”  His Aunt Faith took them in and tries her best to take care of them but their life is difficult as she has no job nor any garden plot. They live in one of … Continued

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Ashler Awino

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Ashler’s parents died about 12 years ago in a traffic accident. She told us, “My parents suffered a lot and struggled just to have food for the family.  They meant everything to me and when they died, I realized that I was going to be an orphan and I felt very lonely. Ashler, her little sister, … Continued

Ashley Col Otieno

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Ashley (14) told us her story: “I came to Achungo 10 years ago, having heard about it one evening when I was walking down the road to the village center to beg for food. I met Michael Nyangi Ojala, Achungo Director, who brought me to the school and enrolled me. I was 4 years old … Continued

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Beryl Joy Namwiru

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Beryl’s parents died when she was about 3, c. 2011. They were extremely poor but had some income from her mother selling raw sugar and her father as a motorcycle taxi driver (“boda boda”). After their death, a friend of her mother took her in. Beryl told us, “My guardian works as a maid.  We only … Continued

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Brightone Reeves Odhiambo

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

I thank the Almighty God for having me at Achungo.  I came 8 years ago [when he was 7]. From the first I felt much happier because life at home had been very difficult. I had been living with my uncle and he would come home drunk and start all his dramas.  My brother, John, and sister, … Continued

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Britney Joy Okoth

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Britney (15) first came to Achungo 11 years ago into the preschool. When she was very young her father had died in a road accident and her mother soon after. Hearing of her situation, Director Nyangi brought her to Achungo. But after a few years, because she was taken in by a serious of families, … Continued

Cedrick Omondi

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Cedrick’s parents died in a road accident when he was two and thereafter he has lived with his aunt. He told us, “The pain when I think of my parents is very hurtful. My aunt has a small garden with maize and beans for food for the family but the soil is poor and it … Continued

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Collince Ochieng

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Collince’s parents died in a road accident when he was quite small and his uncle, John Otula, took in Collince and his brother (Denis) and Sister (Sarah). They are quite poor and sometimes go without food. One day Collince was walking on the road, looking for some help or for a job to help the … Continued

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Eddy Bordon Ochieng

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

“Before Achungo I lived in a small slum.  Life there was not a walk in the park because it was very difficult to earn a living. My father burned found wood to make charcoal to sell for food for our family and provide for our education. My mother tended our maize but the harvest was … Continued

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Emaqulate Odhiambo Aoko

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Emaqulate’s parents died several years ago in a road accident. While they were alive, they would try to find work in order to pay for food and clothes, but a day’s wages were 100 Shillings (about 90 cents, U.S.). She says her 4 brothers ran away after her parents’ death, leaving Emaqulate alone. She was … Continued

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Evance Odhiambo Oreje

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Evance’s father died in a car accident a few months before his birth and his mother died during his birth, so he has never known his parents. He has lived in Rodi-Kopany with his brother, Liam Gareth.  His sister, Megan Valerie, has died from disease, so it is just the two brothers. Liam works as … Continued

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Everlyne Akinyi Odhiambo

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Everlyn (14) writes, “I came to Achungo 8 years ago and immediately felt very happy because it was my first time attending such a good school.  I was particularly attracted to the way they respect their teachers. Before Achungo I was at Ndiru Primary school.  I would often go behind the bathrooms to cry because I had … Continued

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Ian Duncan Okiro

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Ian’s story:  “My father died in a road accident while riding a motorcycle taxi and my mother died while giving birth to me. I don’t have any brothers or sisters and was taken in by a friend’s father, Mr. Otieno. He was 35 and had a garden where he would grow vegetables to sell. I … Continued

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Jack Givens

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Jack (15) told us, “My parents died when I was very young and I don’t have any brothers or sisters, but live in Rodi with my grandparents. They heard about Achungo from our pastor and entered me into the preschool 11 years ago.  The best thing about Achungo is that the teachers are passing knowledge to … Continued

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James Omondi

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

James’ story (he’s 15): “My parents and my brother died in a car accident when I was very little and my aunt, Patricia, took me in. She works as a watchman in Kochia. After my parents died, other people stole our subsistence garden that was our source of food. When I was about 5, a … Continued

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Jealan Achieng Onyango

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

After Jealan’s parents died, she lived near Ongine with her grandmother before she also passed.  Jealan (14) told us, “She had a small garden but most of her plants died due to poor soil.  She would sometimes work as a housekeeper to earn some money. Life was not easy and we could go without food … Continued

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Juliet Atieno

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Imbo)

Juliet was living in a nearby village with her grandmother when she heard about Achungo from a neighbor and enrolled four years ago.  She says she never knew my parents, not even if they are dead or alive. She has a brother and a sister who are living with other neighbors. Her grandmother has diabetes … Continued

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Kennedy Obonyo Otieno

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Kennedy’s parents died in a road accident when he was an infant. He was living in a nearby village with his elderly grandmother (he has no siblings) when he heard about Achungo and joined the first grade. He says he’d had no way to attend school otherwise. “Achungo has been a good school in terms … Continued

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Kerry Oyugi Ajuoga

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Kerry (16) lives with Lindah, his 26-year-old guardian, and his 2 sisters. He was often out of school, getting up at 6 a.m. with Lindah to find farm work so they had money for food and school fees. They also have a small garden. Lindah found church pastors to sponsor school fees for Kerry’s sisters … Continued

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Lavine Deon Otieno

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

“I lived with my parents until they died 6 years back. Mary Anyango was 36 and Fredrick Otieno was 88. They did not have work and could only provide us food for dinner. Lunch and breakfast were only words in a dictionary. They were poor as church mice. I don’t have brothers or sisters. After … Continued

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Manuel Owuor Ochola

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Manuel (14) was brought to Achungo 5 years ago by his grandmother (90) who survives by growing kale to sell. His parents were killed in a road accident. Manuel told us, “Things have been hard since they died, but I started liking Achungo from when I first entered the school gate. It is the best … Continued

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Ogollah Maxwell

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Ogollah Maxwell (16) has no siblings and never knew his parents. They abandoned him after they divorced. Director Michael found out about him and brought him to Achungo into the preschool. For a while he lived with some relatives but when they learned he was getting help from Achungo, they kicked him out (he later … Continued

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Owuor Humphrey Kute

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Humphrey (14) was brought to Achungo by his aunt and uncle 10 years ago because they could not afford to pay the fees for public school. They are elderly and have no income but survive from the small garden given them temporarily by family. Humphrey’s father abandoned the family and then his mother left his … Continued

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Peter Odhiambo Ondiek

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Peter’s elderly grandmother brought Peter to the Achungo preschool 12 years ago, having heard about it from Director Michael. His parents had died in a road accident when he was very little. Peter says, “it was very hard to get food to eat and sometimes I would have to beg or steal.” His grandmother has … Continued

Rooney Remy

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

My dad learned about Achungo when I was 8 years old [7 years ago] but before I was enrolled, he died in a road accident and my mother died soon after. Now I live in a village called Kanyada with my uncle who has a small piece of land that cannot contain crops [is too … Continued

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Roveline Achieng

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Roveline (13) doesn’t remember her parents as she was about a year old when they died. She lived near Director Michael with her grandmother and learning that there was no money for her schooling, he brought her to Achungo at 3 years old. Her grandmother died soon after from cancer and Achungo Director Michael took … Continued

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Stacy Akinyi Omondi

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Since the death of her parents when she was a year old, Stacy (15) has lived with her uncle (80). He washes cars for a living [that is, he sets up roadside near a creek or other water source and offers to handwash vehicles]. He has no subsistence garden because he sold it to pay … Continued

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Tillen Otieno Ouma

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Tillen’s grandmother heard about Achungo from their Pastor and enrolled him 12 years ago into the preschool class. She is 68 and survives by working her garden but her brother is trying to take it from her. Tillen (14) told us, “My father died when I was small. I never knew my mother but my … Continued

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Tonny Blair Mwai

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

“I came to Achungo several years ago, brought by Director Michael Nyangi. He had attended my father’s funeral and decided to bring me to the school.  I was in Kindergarten at Kobodo Primary school, but it was difficult for me due to lack of learning resources and basic needs. It doesn’t compare to Achungo because at … Continued

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Vital Onyango

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Vital (14) came to Achungo 8 years ago when his grandmother heard how well Achungo students were doing. He never knew his parents and has always lived with his grandmother. They live off their small garden as she has no income.  His brother and sister died long ago when Brian was 5 and Laurine was 7. … Continued

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Wendy Awuor Orwa

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

“I live in Kochia, Homabay County, with my grandparents, Pesila (79) and Daniel (85).  She does laundry for people and he is a car washer who washes other people’s cars.  My brother is a beggar in the village and was unable to go to school. My sister, Sheila, died when she was 12 due to a … Continued

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Xavier Odhiambo Otieno

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Rodi)

Xavier’s parents died several years ago and with his 3 siblings (brother, Elphas, and sisters, Joy and Rachel), Xavier was taken in by their current guardian (likely a relative or family friend). Their guardian had no work and so they didn’t have money for proper clothing. When Xavier would go to the public school, the … Continued

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Josephine Auma

8th Grade Graduates of 2022 April (Imbo)

Josephine (15) lives in Masakla village with her grandmother, Hellen Atieno (69). Hellen has chronic pain in her legs and very poor vision and so, is unable to work. They get their food from a small garden that is planted with maize. Her parents both died after long illnesses, her father with pneumonia and her … Continued

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Ashley Noela

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Rodi)

Ashley (14) was brought by her aunt to Achungo (Rodi) for 6th grade in 2018. She never knew her parents and lives in Rodi with her with aunt, brother (15), sister (12). They have a subsistence garden plot. She had attended Rodi Primary but appreciates that there are no fees at Achungo and she can … Continued

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Augustine Dylan

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Augustine Dylan Ochieng Owino (14) joined Achungo’s school at Imbo  for 5th grade in 2017 having heard from students in his area that it was a good school. [Note: 2017 was the first year of operation for Achungo’s primary school at Imbo]. He lives nearby with his parents and his older brothers Enoch and Dennis. … Continued

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Billy Samson Apiyo

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Rodi)

Billy is 15 and has been at Achungo for 11 years, ever since preschool. He likes the learning and the teachers and particularly enjoys Science and learning about the human body. During breaks he enjoys playing football (soccer) with friends. He hopes to become an engineer in America. Billy lives nearby the school with his … Continued

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Brandon Odhiambo Oburu

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Brandon (15) lives with his godparents and brother (15) and joined Achungo’s school at Imbo  in 2019 for 7th grade having heard from others that Achungo was an excellent school. He likes the strong academic performance at Achungo and enjoys his studies and their sports games. On holidays he helps his godparents. He hopes to … Continued

Brightone Odiwuor

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Brightone (14) was told about Achungo’s high performance by a friend and he joined Achungo’s school at Imbo  in 2018 for 6th grade. He had attended St Alfred Primary earlier but he told us, “At Achungo the teachers are better, and the buildings and classrooms are better.” He immediately liked Achungo and he was impressed … Continued

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Browlyne Onyango

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Browlyne is 16 and grew up about 26 km from Achungo in Obwanda, with his parents, and a younger brother (6). He attended Gates Primary and was brought by his mother to Achungo’s school at Imbo in 2017 for 5th grade. They had heard about Achungo’s academic performance. He can walk to school in about … Continued

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Chali Austine Otieno

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Chali Austine (16) joined Achungo’s school at Imbo  in 2017 for 5th grade after hearing from a friend about the quality of learning at Achungo. He has been living with his uncle and a brother (12) and sister (10). During free time he likes studying together with other students and playing football (soccer) and other … Continued

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Christopher Omondi

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Christopher (15) joined Achungo’s school at Imbo  in 2019 for 7th grade having heard that it was a strong school. He found that, compared to his last school, Achungo has “better teachers and much better academic performance.” Christopher lives nearby with his parents, a brother (15) and a sister (11). In his free time, he … Continued

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Crystal Night Aluoch

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Rodi)

Crystal is 14 and lives about 5 kilometers away from Achungo with her aunt, 3 brothers (2 in University and 1 in Primary) and a sister (in high school).  She doesn’t remember her parents at all. She has attended Achungo for 5 years (since 5th grade). She had attended Majiwa Primary, but says that “At … Continued

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Elizabeth Akoth

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Elizabeth (15) joined Achungo’s school at Imbo  in 2017 for 5th grade, having previously attended Olosho Primary. She lives with her parents, two sisters and a brother. She says that Achungo is a nice school and her favorite subject is Science. Outside of class, she likes playing with friends and likes to study and talk … Continued

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Emmaculate Achieng Ochieng

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Emmaculate (16) was brought by her mother to Achungo’s school at Imbo  in 2016 for 4th grade, having attended Heartspring Academy prior to Achungo. She told us the teaching was substandard at Heartspring but she likes the teachers at Achungo and how they help the students learn. Emmaculate lives at considerable distance from the school … Continued

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Emmaculate Amollo

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Emmaculate (16) joined the 5th grade at Achungo’s Imbo school for its first year of operation, in 2017. She lives with her mother and 2 brother.s Her father died in 2013 in a traffic accident. She had previously attended Salem Academy, but told us it was “not a good experience. There was no proper teaching … Continued

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Emmanuel Omanya

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Emmanuel (15) was brought by his father to Achungo’s school at Imbo  in 2019 for 7th grade, having previously attended Godkado Primary.  He lives close to the school with his parents and three younger siblings. On weekends he plays with friends and goes to church with his parents. Emmanuel hopes to become a doctor.

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Happiness Akinyi Ochieng

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Rodi)

Happiness lives in Migori (about an hour’s drive from Rodi) with her maternal aunt and uncle and her 3 sisters (ages 12, 7, and 5) and her brother (4). She never knew her parents and has only seen pictures of them. She had heard about Achungo from a cousin who was attending. In 2019, Happiness … Continued

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Ian David Rajabu Okungu

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Rodi)

Ian David (15) came to Achungo (the school at Rodi) 8 years ago, having heard about it from his aunt. He lives with his mother’s sister, his brother (5) who also attends Achungo) and his sister (12, attending a village school). He never knew his parents and told us that his aunt hasn’t told him … Continued

Isaac Chiteri Omuka

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Isaac (15) was brought by his mother to Achungo’s school at Imbo in 2017 for 5th grade, having heard about its reputation for strong academics. He says he “was very happy from the first day because Achungo was so much better” than his previous school, Koyore Primary. He told us Achungo has better teaching methods, … Continued

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Jacob Omitto

8th Grade Graduates of 2021 (Imbo)

Jacob (age 14) joined Achungo’s school at Imbo  in 2017 for 5th grade, having previously attended Godkado primary. He likes the teachers at Achungo (“they teach well”) and that there is food for the students. His home is not far from the school. He lives with his parents (they have a small shop) and his … Continued