A young man from Mount Elgon, Bungoma county has celebrated his dad for being an intentional parent. Maseno graduate Bedaya Towet thanks dad for his sacrifices to ensure he finished school.Bedaya Towet told TUKO.co.ke that he hails from a humble family. His beloved father, Joshua Chenge Mokoit, is a security guard, a job he relies on to make ends meet. He also noted that his mother is a tailor who repairs clothes for people in the village.
“Working as a night guard is my father’s main source of income; mum is a tailor in the village and barely makes enough as she depends on repairing people’s clothes. She has also been my source of support, though my dad has been largely impactful on my academics,” he explained. Bungoma man shares struggles finishing school
The Maseno graduate said he celebrates his dad because he has seen how much he struggled to give him the best despite having so little. “I celebrate my father. For the past 8 years, my father has endured the cold nights, robbers, and all that comes with being a night guard just to ensure I stay in school,” he said. He noted that his dad started the job shifting from a factory guard to guarding shops at night immediately after he joined Form One to ensure he never missed school due to lack of fees.
Moreover, his dad walked from their home to his school every time parents were called for academic days or Annual General Meetings (AGM), getting there tired and dusty just to ensure he showed up for him. He explained that he had to beg for a lift from other parents who came from their area when going back so that he would not have to trek back.
“Back in high school, my father used to trek all the way from Cheptais in Bungoma to Busia to attend academic days and AGM. He would appear at the gate as early as 7 am a.m. with his shoes covered in dust and too tired to move, but he made sure never to miss the meetings. Later, he would beg for a ride back from other parents who came from around our place,” he recalled.
According to him, Chenge probably has the contacts of all the people working in offices that deal with bursaries and scholarships because he frequently visits their offices on his behalf. “My father has hoped from one office to another begging for bursaries. I’m confident that he knows and has contacts with all the people working in different offices that deal with bursaries and scholarships,” he noted. Graduating from Maseno University
The 23-year-old man stated that he earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Communication, specialising in electronic media from Maseno University. Towet narrated that when he was placed to study at Maseno, all seemed hopeless as he knew the situation back home. However, his father sent him to school and asked him not to worry as he would do his best to ensure he finished school.
“I celebrate him because back in 2020, when I enrolled for this degree, all the ways seemed blocked, only for him to send me to Maseno University with hopes that he would get money later on, which should not worry me,” he stated. He acknowledged that the four years had been difficult, but he made it through encouragement and hard work. The young man said he wanted to make his dad realise that his efforts were felt and not in vain because he has grown in his shadows and experienced life from him.
“My four years at Maseno University have been bumpy, but I made it—I made it for him. I ensured I achieved it for him, to show him that his efforts were worth it and that I recognized them. In his shadows, I have grown, experienced life, and learned from the best. I’m happy that he was here to see me wearing this gown that 4 years ago seemed an impossible feat,” he stated. The firstborn in a family of six children prayed to God for a long life so that his father could see the fruits of his labour.
“As I close this 8.4.4 education chapter, I pray that he lives long enough to see the fruits of his efforts. I did it for him. I did it for our family. Thank you dad, for lighting my way, being present in my life, and being an intentional parent. I’m where I’m because of you. This degree is your,” he stated. How Bungoma dad reacted to son’s graduation
The 23-year-old said his dad was very happy that he had set a good example to his siblings, and set the pace for them to follow through. He also noted that the father is proud of him as he is the first member of the family in their entire lineage to graduate. “You have shown your younger ones the way. At least now we look up to you to give the family direction,” Joshua Chenge stated.
“My dad is very happy and proud of me, considering I am the first in our lineage to graduate, and this makes him so happy,” Towet explained. What next after graduation? The Maseno graduate said he is actively looking for employment. He aims to build a home for his parents someday and move them from rental apartments. Currently, he volunteers as a field reporter for Nyota FM, a Western-based radio station.
“I’m looking for employment, at least to move them from the rentals and build them a home. I have also been working as a voluntary field reporter for Nyota FM, a Western-based radio station. So, let me say that for now, I’m opening myself to the world of employment,” he said.
by Lynn-Linzer Kibebe
