When Duncan Kesi was sent home for school fees, it felt like the end of the road. For a student who had worked steadily toward completing secondary school, the sudden interruption was more than a financial setback, it was a threat to his future. Like many young people from low-income households, Duncan faced a system where even strong academic performance could not protect him from being locked out of the classroom. With arrears continuing to grow and no immediate way to pay them, he stood on the brink of dropping out, uncertain if he would ever return to school.
For weeks, Duncan remained at home, watching time slip away as his classmates continued with their lessons. The longer he stayed out of school, the harder it became to imagine rejoining. The pressure to abandon his studies and find informal work was real, and the weight of disappointment was heavy. Yet Duncan refused to let go of his dream of finishing school. He held onto the belief that education was his best chance to build a stable and dignified future, even as circumstances worked against him.
That turning point came through Elimu’s Stay in School program, an initiative designed to support students who are at risk of dropping out due to financial hardship. The program stepped in at a critical moment, covering Duncan’s outstanding school fees and enabling him to return to class. More than just financial assistance, the support gave him something he had lost, certainty. With the fear of being sent home lifted, Duncan was able to focus on his studies, sit his examinations, and complete his secondary education.
Teachers who had watched him struggle to stay enrolled saw a renewed sense of confidence and determination. No longer distracted by financial stress, Duncan committed himself fully to his work, making the most of the second chance he had been given. His completion of high school was not just a personal victory, but a reflection of what targeted intervention can achieve when it reaches students at the right time.
Today, Duncan is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Sector Accounting at KCA University. It is a milestone that once felt impossible. His move into higher education represents a new chapter, one defined by opportunity rather than limitation. Through his studies, Duncan hopes to build a career that allows him to contribute to public institutions and support economic development within his community.
His journey from financial uncertainty to university enrolment underscores the transformative power of access to education. It shows how a single intervention can shift the course of a young person’s life, opening doors that once appeared firmly closed. Duncan’s story is not just about personal perseverance; it is about what happens when that determination is matched with meaningful support.
Across the communities Elimu serves, many students face the same risks Duncan once did. Financial barriers continue to push capable learners out of school every year. By supporting Elimu’s programs, donors help ensure that these students are not forced to give up on their education. To support or donate and help another student stay in school, Click here or visit https://elimu.ca/donate/.