Shelby Chebet, a 15-year-old form two student at Lugulu Girls High School in Bungoma County, faces a challenging journey ahead. Raised by a single mother, Shelby is the eldest of three siblings. Her mother, who was raised at Litein Children’s Home, did not have the opportunity to further her education after completing her KCPE examination in 2006. Instead, she found work as a casual laborer on a tea estate to support her family.
Shelby’s educational journey took a positive turn when she was enrolled at Chemitan Academy Litein, thanks to the sponsorship of Canadian Evangelist Brenda Zugman. With Zugman’s support, Shelby excelled in her KCPE examinations in 2022, scoring an impressive 399 marks. As a result, she earned admission to Lugulu Girls High School, a prestigious national school.
However, tragedy struck in May 2023 when Brenda Zugman was involved in a fatal accident in Canada, unbeknownst to Shelby’s family until December of the same year. With Zugman’s passing, Shelby’s school fees went unpaid beyond the first term, accumulating arrears totaling Ksh68000. Consequently, she was sent home in February 2024 due to outstanding fees and has remained there since.
The family’s living situation adds to their challenges, residing in a single-room rental house in Kericho, Duka Moja. Despite her mother’s continued efforts in casual employment, she faced additional hardship when diagnosed with depression and recently hospitalized.
Shelby’s story is one of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Despite the setbacks and tribulations, she remains committed to forging a brighter future for herself amidst the struggles and uncertainties that lie ahead.
