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How a 9-Year-Old Boy Worked to Pay for His Schooling

by | Feb 28, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Samwel remembers picking up a gardening hoe in fourth grade at the age of nine so he could earn money to pay for his schooling. Education was a constant battle. He could only attend classes for two to three weeks per term, spending the rest of his time working on farms alongside his mother to help provide for their family and cover school fees. Yet, despite the hardships, his mother, Jane, never lost sight of their goal. She knew that education was the only path forward and made sure it remained their priority.

A Mother’s Desire

Jane faced unimaginable struggles after losing her husband. As a mother living with hearing loss, she navigated a world that often overlooked her, making difficult choices every day to ensure her children had food, shelter, and access to an education. Samwel saw the weight of these burdens on his mother and was determined to help however he could—even if it meant sacrificing his childhood.

Samwel Refuses to Give Up

Despite the challenges, Samwel graduated from 8th grade and was determined to continue to high school. Jane, though proud of his ambition, encouraged him to stay home and work so that his younger siblings could at least complete primary school—the highest level of education she could afford. But Samwel refused to accept that this was the end of his journey. He reached out to his church community, hoping for support.

One Step Closer

The church came together and raised $20, though it was not enough to cover all of what Samwel needed to start his first year of high school. However, by the time he had the funds, he had missed almost two academic terms. The money covered his supplies but not his tuition, so he had no choice but to periodically take up farm work to pay his fees. Without the ability to afford room and board, Samwel walked an hour and a half to school every morning, leaving at 4 AM on an empty stomach, and walked back home each evening.

A Small Setback

Seeing his struggle, Jane reached out to a church member near Nyaduong for help. Initially, the woman was generous, even paying part of Samwel’s school fees with two sacks of maize. But over time, her generosity turned into expectation—she required Samwel to work in exchange for shelter, leaving him little time for his studies. He completed Form One while living there, but when the new school year arrived, he was told not to return unless he could pay his fees.

The Pathway Forward Becomes Clear

A concerned local high school teacher recommended Samwel to Take Heart, and we stepped in to provide critical support for him and his family. Our first step was to stabilize Samwel’s school attendance by covering his tuition, providing him with a proper uniform, and securing him a place in the school’s boarding accommodation—eliminating his daily 1.5-hour walk to and from school

Samwel Receives the Support He Needs 

For the first time in years, Samwel no longer has to carry the overwhelming burden of figuring out how to pay for his education, where he will live, or how he will make the exhausting daily walk to school. With his basic needs met, he can now focus entirely on his studies, his future, and the dreams he has long fought to achieve.

Beyond helping Samwel, Take Heart is also committed to supporting Jane and his younger siblings, ensuring that their family’s story continues to be one of resilience and hope.

 

Bellah in her graduation gown and Delta                                                                               Bellah in High School     

LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF
FROM: Bellah Oguma

Dear Younger Me,

I see you — small, quiet, full of questions you’re afraid to ask and dreams that feel too big for the place you’ve grown up in. Life in the orphanage doesn’t make anything easy, and most days, it feels like the odds are against you. But I’m writing from a future you helped build — one shaped by your courage, your determination, and your refusal to give up. I know things feel heavy right now — like every step forward in school is uphill, and sometimes it’s hard to see why any of it matters. But I’m writing to tell you: education is worth the fight. Even on the days when it feels like the world is stacked against you.

There were moments when you were tired of proving yourself. When the effort didn’t seem to match the reward. When you were wondering if you’re smart enough, strong enough, or simply enough. But I promise, every late night, every test you worried about, every time you kept going when you wanted to quit — it adds up. It shaped you.

Education felt like your only way out — and it was. But it was never just a way out — it became a path through. From your early days in the orphanage, through a district school, and then the weight of having to repeat your 12th grade year just to get a chance at the university, you never stopped. You fought for every grade, every opportunity. And eventually, you made it.

You got into university. You started studying law — the career you used to only dream about. You found a way, even though money was tight, and you studied on sponsorships your entire life. It has been by the grace of God. Behind every call back home, you hid the truth — you faked being okay so your family wouldn’t worry more. You shared your stipend with your parents and even helped pay hospital bills for your younger brother. You became the provider for two families, making sure supper was on the table both where you were and back home.

You took on a responsibility heavier than most, almost like the first child and head of the family, all while balancing university demands. The criticism for being a young mother on campus cut deep, and the withdrawal, both emotional and financial, was a lonely path. Late nights spent studying for project work often left you exhausted, but the urge to find a job to support yourself and your family never left your mind. Sometimes, the burden was so overwhelming that you avoided conversations about your background because it felt like too much to carry.

But through it all, you persevered.

And today, despite every challenge, you are a certified Court Annexed Mediator and a qualified law graduate. You’re standing on the threshold of admission to the bar, ready to start the next chapter of your journey. The woman you’ve become carries every sacrifice, every tear, every sleepless night — and turns them into strength.

Education wasn’t just a fight for a certificate. It was a fight for your dignity, your family, and your dreams. And it was worth every battle.

Hold onto that, little one. Your story is far from over — and the best is yet to come.

With endless love and pride,
Your Older Self