Maina – Thank You for Your Generosity

28 June 2011

analysis

Nairobi — When Simon Ndaya Maina’s inspiring story was published in Living Magazine, in February, it touched quite a number of readers. Here was a tout, earning a few coins every month, yet saving part of that money to pay for his university education.

If you’re one of the readers that offered to assist Maina to realise his dream, your contribution and that of other generous readers made it possible for him to register for the May-September semester at the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Commerce degree. The Sh70,000 raised was enough to pay for six units.

He is grateful for your financial support, as well as the encouraging messages you sent him.

“I was overwhelmed by your assistance, and kind and encouraging comments. Obviously, nothing is impossible,” he says.

Currently, Maina is busy looking for a job, and has sent his CV to various organisations.

“You cannot rely on the goodwill of others for the rest of your life – if I get a better paying job, I will be able to pay for my degree.”

Below is an an excerpt from the story, ‘Tout by Day, University Student by Night’

The rain pounds heavily, forcing commuters to crowd in the shelter at the bus stage, popularly known as KenCom.

The heavy down-pour has taken Nairobi by surprise, and enterprising hawkers are making a kill from selling small shaky umbrellas. The only people who seem unperturbed by this outcome are the bus conductors, who go about their jobs as if it is just another sunny day in this concrete jungle.

One of them is Simon Ndaya Maina.

From the seat facing the bus entrance, he waves a placard for Route 7C. There’s nothing remarkable about him, nothing to distinguish him from the other conductors trying to catch the eye of prospective passengers. Until you hear his story.

You see, Maina aged 24 is a bus conductor by day, and a university student by night…

Maina was once a bright student in his school days.

“Sometimes, I meet former classmates, who wonder how I ended up becoming tout, yet I was among the brightest in school. I am not ashamed of my job however, because I know that it is the vehicle that is taking me towards where I want to go.”

Maina applied for admission at the University of Nairobi in August 2009 for a Bachelor of Commerce. He was accepted in April last year.

“When I received my letter, I had been reading the book, Seven Steps to Your Full Potential, by Joel Osteen. In one of the chapters, he gives an analogy of an ant, which, carrying a heavy load, had attempted to climb a wall so many times, without success.

“Each time, it fell down. However, it did not give up or get discouraged. Eventually, on the 17th time, it succeeded. I decided that I would be this ant,” he said.

He had saved a little over Sh19,000. This, coupled with Sh20,000 he had received from a trust fund he had approached, Maina registered for the first semester.

He is taking two units since this is what he can afford, but he is happy that he is back to school, even though he is not sure where he will get the money to pay for the next semester.

“I have approached the Ministry of Education, the Higher Education Loans Board and the Constituency Development Fund in my home area for assistance, ” he says, hopeful that help will come through.

“Being accepted to university was a dream come true, and I believe that I will complete my studies, no matter how long it takes.”

You can read the full story here.

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