Boy defies injury, absenteeism from school to emerge top in KCPE

Boy defies injury, absenteeism from school to emerge top in KCPE

Victor Kariuki Njambi, 14, scored 425 marks out of the possible 500 in the just released Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2015, despite being out of school for close to seven months due to illness.

Young Kariuki who sat for his KCPE at Tender Care Junior Academy in Komarock, Nairobi says the exemplary results came as a surprise to him, considering his health condition.

“At first I was surprised when I learnt of the results from my mum. I was out of school for the better part of the year due to a spinal cord injury. I only studied for one term before developing complications on my spinal cord,” said the upbeat Victor.

From left to right: Victor Kariuki's mum Emmah Mburu, relative and teacher
From left to right: Victor Kariuki’s mum Emmah Mburu, relative and teacher PHOTO/BRIAN OKOTH

The 14-year-old understands his condition and narrates its genesis in a very knowledgeable manner.

“I was born with a spinal cord deformity called Kyphoscoliosis. It later developed into an injury. I was taken to hospital for the first surgery and bone grafting was conducted on me. However, my condition worsened; the spine bent to an angle of 90 degrees. I was rehospitalised in 2012; this time round in India.”

“The doctors implanted metal support devices in my back which broke a year later. In 2015, I was flown back to India where another surgery was done. I developed weakness due to the procedures. But now my condition has improved; I can stand,” he told Citizen Digital.

Despite being born with the deformity, Victor has never been on a wheelchair in his entire 14 years of life.

“Before my third injury, I could play football. I however stopped after the third operation was conducted on me.”

While in India, the brilliant lad did not use his condition as an excuse to evade studies.

“I read during the night after receiving treatment and medication. I could read for at least two hours in the night before retiring to bed.”

Besides digging into books, Victor has another recipe of success that he says made him excel.

“I have faith in my ability; with it I can reach where I want to. I work smart; not only hard – I believe it is what made me perform well.”

Victor hopes to attend the prestigious Mang’u High School for his secondary education just like his elder brother. For his higher education, he wishes to pursue Cardiology.

“I want to become a cardiologist to save people who have diseases or conditions of the heart and blood vessels,” he said.

Young Kariuki is also a budding writer; a passion he says has been inspired by the struggles he goes through to restore his health.

“I write motivational books; I use my experience to encourage people never to give up despite their physical shortcomings in life. God is there to help them, and they should stay strong. I am writing about the pain and surgeries I have gone through. I don’t have a title for my book yet. I hope to finish writing it next year August,” stated the teenager.

Victor Kariuki’s mother Emmah Mburu says she has been of great contribution to her son in achieving the top grade.

“I have been helping him in his studies all the way since he got sick. He has done three surgeries, and the one which put him on the wheel chair was the third – it was performed in India.”

“Even when we were there, his sister came with study books. He had asked for them, even though he was from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I did not stop him from reading; any time he was able, he could go through pages.

“I encouraged him, we prayed together for the three months he was hospitalised abroad. When we returned to Kenya, I talked to the teachers, and they were very supportive!” said Ms Mburu.

Teachers at Tender Care Junior Academy in Komarock have also played a vital role in facilitating Victor’s success.

“He last went to school in early March. After that he was bedridden moving from one facility to another. When we jetted back into the country, his school got concerned and teachers agreed to be coming home whenever they’d manage on alternate programs,” said Emmah.

“When it was exam time, I would drop him to school and then the teachers would carry him up the stairs to his classroom on first floor. We would also carry his wheelchair there. When they’d break for lunch, I’d go for him and freshen him and take him back. Then pick him after he’s completed his exams,” added Ms Mburu.

The fulfilled mother however has her fears: “I am very concerned that most learning institutions did not, during construction, put into consideration people living with disabilities; maybe there weren’t such cases back then.”

“I pray that my son be admitted to a good national school because he qualifies. I pray that he will not be discriminated upon – if by that time he won’t be walking. I pray in future all learning institutions will take into consideration people living with disabilities.”

Emmah hopes her son will one day walk again.

“The doctors have not given an estimated time for his recovery. He has been like this for seven months. We are told there’s hope he’ll walk again.”

 

 

 

Tags:

kcpe KCPE 2015 results kcpe 2015 Victor Kariuki Njambi

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories