Meeting Sammy Gitau donning his graduation regalia today on Oxford Road as he prepares for his dream celebration betrays the tribulations of a man determined to conquer all odds. Sammy is graduating with a Masters in International development from the University of Manchester but that is not the news what is the fact that he had only two years of formal education in Kenya prior to coming to Manchester.
Sammy is one Kenyan proud of his success and he made it known immediately arrived in UK's largest university last September. Within his first week of arrival here his story was in the regional newspapers but nobody paid attention. Now that he has accomplished the unimaginable he hot news in almost all national newspapers.
He is today gracing the front page of the Independent, yes that newspaper which paradoxically had a headline two months ago that Africans are genetically less intelligent compared to other races.
Gitau's amazing race to academic glory doesn't end at his graduation today. He claims to have fished Manchester University's prospectus from garbage pit while scavenging for food. From there he surmounted two failed attempts to secure UK student visa to come to Manchester.
Shaming the devil
So how did he qualify with only two years in formal education one may ask. Well according to charming Sammy Manchester university decided his vast experience in Mathare working with street children was practical knowledge enough to make him eligible for admission. So the university went ahead and paid his tuition while charitable organizations funded his living costs.
What a humbling and remarkable achievement by Sammy? This may just be the latest proof that potential talents are wasting in our streets. But again you have to BELIEVE Sammy's story first. Knowing what one undergoes to secure a UK visa, Mr. Gitau can aptly be described as one of the luckiest Kenyans. His feat can be rarely replicated by anybody soon.
For good measure and as a humble payback, Mr Gitau's parting shot is that he is channeling his education and his energies at improving life for others in Mathare slum. Good luck brother, go past the skies.
Caught this on BBC news this morning...God bless the young man!
ReplyDeleteTaabu this is the wrong place to post positive stories if the person involved has a Kikuyu name. Gitau must have been born to power and privilege, known someone that 'matters', or, least of all, been corrupt. There is no other way a Kikuyu can go from Mathare to Manchester and a Masters.
ReplyDeletePKW sour grapes alert!maybe change name from PKW to ProudKenyanWoman
ReplyDeleteno time for preaching sermons here-the name Gitau or Nyambura is not synonymous with bad just like Odhiambo or Philemon is not synonymous with education or higher learning
Kenyans we must stop smoking opium
congratulations Gitau
PKW how about joining Gitau and learn a thing or 2. Maybe you should change your name to SKW Stupid Kikuyu woman... Well done Gitau....
ReplyDeleteProudly Kenyan
Bw. Gitau, wewe ni wetu. We are so proud of you bro. According to me, you are no different from Barrack Obama---A man doing us proud and ushering us to the high table. Congratulations and I have one Andrew Groove line for you--'Never let success stop you from worrying'
ReplyDeleteWhile still on it, there was this maasai Jamaa who went to Stanford Uni and he was talking of having a crush on Chelsea Clinton. He got acquainted with the Clinton family. Manze wakenya tuko poa. Wasee wanafaa kutupiga respect juu enyewe chalii kutoka Nai na akala na kudai Chelsea sio kidogo. Am feeling cool. Nataka kwanza saa hii niachwe peke yangu nikavute kitu!
Vikii if you must smoke take smoke for the kitchen please. Stay sane bro and if you must drink take milk won't you?
ReplyDeletePKW please stop trying too hard to measure literally to your name. I won't allow you to because I know you can do better than that. Still waiting for jibu la swali langu though.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what i do Taabu. Milk, Fanta orange na BBq smoke. Nothing more nothing less. Hizo zingine ni wasee wana stress kaa Kalamari.
ReplyDeleteCongrats man your story is truly inspiring.
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ReplyDeletePKW stop being a pessimist this is a good story that we should be proud of as Kenyans, no need of looking at the name first and make stupid conclusions. Congratulations to Mr. Gitau, we need such leaders in Kenya who think of others and not their pockets only.
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartwarming story! Hongera Bw. Gitau you have done us proud.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate in this day and age tribal sentiment can emerge in the form of bad manners. Congratulaions Gitau. Shame on you PKW. You should know better.
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