We recently feted three candidates from TBI’s Ileret scholarship program that sponsored students from the Daasanach community. They are Rahma Ahmed Said, Joseph Arcoy Hirbnle and James Loki Abucha.
Their faces are presently unmistakable in the village, having produced exceptional performance in KCSE 2021. Such results have not been seen at the remote location of Ileret within the last decade and TBI is proud to have been part of their journey.
Shoulder high! Rahma and Joseph were celebrated in Ileret town shortly after results were announced
Rahma, Joseph and James were all onboarded through TBI’s community outreach program for education in 2018. They underwent a unique tuition program which combined them with their Form 4 counterparts during the pandemic in 2020. This happened when they were in Form 3. This tution organised by TBI had full support of the community, local leaders and a few individuals whose contribution would not go without a mention, Mr Kariuki, a chemistry teacher, Mr. Raphael Rendo, a student at Kenyatta University , Mr. Kwata and Mr. Francis Hida, both college students. This also proved to be pivotal to their success.
Joseph Arcoy Hirbanle (Left), Rahma Ahmed Said (2nd Left) and James Loki Abucha (Right) in a photo with TBI’s Community Development Manager, Joanne Velo (2nd Right)
Here are some details about these students
Rahma Ahmed
Rahma is the last born, raised by her mother who she considers her pillar of strength. She remains eternally grateful for the support and sacrifice that she received from the mother and siblings who encouraged her to attend school and finish her KCSE, something that is not common for the girl child in this region.
Attending school was a challenge, especially being a candidate after the long hiatus occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, she witnessed some of her schoolmates and neighbours drop out of school due to early pregnancy. It was also difficult to attend school with the insecurity in Marsabit r but Rahma remained undeterred.
She wants to join the medical field and become a nurse and thereafter return to serve the community. She also wants to be involved in mentorship of the girl child so that more of them should go to school. She is keen on propagating education in menstrual health within the community under the TBI menstrual hygiene program. Her hobbies include playing handball, football and travelling. She also likes cooking and baking
The students being feted during a celebration at Ileret town
Joseph Arcoy
Joseph’s story is one of ambition. His arduous journey to KCSE in 2021 is an inspirational one. He has overcome all odds and life challenges to become the top student in Ileret. Born and raised in Ileret, it was a miracle for him to finish high school. In 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic TBI ran a tuition program that brought all students together for study and revision. Arcoy attributes this to having propelled him to his sterling performance in KCSE 2021.
Unfortunately, during the same period his family decided to get him to marry, a decision which did not sit well with the TBI Community manager. She took swift action and rescued him from family pressure. Today, he is glad he fled the temptation and his sacrifice to finish school has borne fruit. Through all these, Joseph did not lose sight of why he went back. He scored highly and is now an inspiration to his peers and a star in the community.
James, Joseph and Rahma hanging out at TBI Ileret labs adjacent to one of the famous elephant fossils
He now has his sights trained towards medical school and would like to return to serve the community once he is finished at University. As he awaits to join, he intends to assist in teaching and mentorship of students in primary and secondary school. He is grateful to his parents and siblings for the support they gave him while in schoolHe is a huge football fan who loves to watch and play often with his friends.
James Loki
James attributes his success to the constant support offered by his parents besides the attitude of being bold and positive that he learned to cultivate over years. He is very keen to see others succeed and he is currently under mentorship in TBI’s mentorship program. He has a firm resolve to study hard in university and pay it forward by becoming a teacher and a mentor to the students in the village, recognising that success deserves to be shared.
An avid reader, James enjoys a good debate because it helps him think differently. He also enjoys football and keeping fit.
James, Rahma and Joseph at Ileret town all smiles
