Like the large number of peasant families on the African continent, education for Evans and his siblings required a constant struggle. Nevertheless, Evans progressed to post-secondary schooling in Kenya’s Kampala University.
However, personal tragedy has seriously impeded the realization of his dreams. On Wednesday, October 15th, 2014, Evans suffered a great loss when both of his parents and a younger brother died in a fatal road accident.
Before the devastating loss of three family members, Nyariki had asked friends to help him launch a local tuition drive to help him defray the costs of earning a master’s degree in Mass Communication at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Evans was able to raise US $2000.00 of the total tuition cost of US $5000.00. With these funds, he registered and began working towards the completion of his degree. However, as can be imagined, the tremendous emotional loss and financial burden following the fatal accident has left him struggling as head of his household with extremely limited resources. This struggle has hampered his progress in school, and the university, despite being sympathetic to his dire life situation, suggested that Evans may be dropped from enrollment.
Nyariki wrote to GO!:
“I haven’t had a stable job since having to begin caring for my four younger siblings. I do part-time teaching in a local school where I’m paid Kes.10,000 month, and volunteer in an NGO Youth Kenya Initiative for relevance in youth skills empowerment. But it’s not enough to pay for my education and our family’s needs. I’ve tried all ways to finish, and I now appeal for your assistance to complete the program. Please help me to earn this degree. It will be a good boost for my family and allow me to qualify for a good job.”
~ Evans Nyariki Nyamwaya
Learning of his circumstances and volunteer work with youth in building community leader skills, we are reminded of Paul’s advice to Titus in 3:14: “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”
We are happy to report that Evan’s education has been fully funded, thanks to the help of our generous donors!