In a quiet village in Busia County, a teenager’s struggle to stay in school has taken a dramatic turn.
For months, 17-year-old Ruth Auma, a Form Four student at Musibiriri Secondary School, spent her evenings moulding bricks. It was the only way she could raise money for her school fees. Her mother’s poor health had left the family with little income, and Ruth feared she would be forced to drop out before completing her final year.
This week, help came from an unexpected source. Evans Jackobam, a local benefactor, stepped in to clear her fees. “I wanted to give her a chance to focus on her studies, not survival,” Mr. Jackobam said after meeting the student.
Ruth, who dreams of becoming an accountant, could not hide her relief. “I am so happy. I can now prepare for my exams without worrying about money,” she said.
The school’s principal, Stephen Wadondera, described Ruth’s resilience as extraordinary but also troubling. “No child should have to go through this just to stay in class,” he said, noting the wider hardship many families in Butula Sub-County face.
Mr. Jackobam used the moment to urge leaders to act. He criticised the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF), saying it had failed to meet the needs of vulnerable students. “We must come together as a community to find lasting solutions,” he added.
For Ruth, the intervention means she can now focus on her upcoming exams. For the wider community, her story is a reminder of the obstacles many children face in pursuit of education — and of how a single act of kindness can change a life.
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