The Collective for Orphan Care and Education (COCE) Kenya has worked on many projects over the past 16 years and continues to engage in initiatives that support better health and economic outcomes for youth, particularly young women- in rural Busia county, Kenya. However, none of these projects quite touch the hearts of staff and volunteers like the educational sponsorship program. Each of these students hold a special place in our hearts and we are delighted that Immaculate, one of our current sponsorship student, agreed to share her story so that others may understand how important educational sponsorship is for young women, like herself.

Immaculate is an orphan having lost both of her parents to HIV/AIDs. Eventually, she came under the care of a female cousin who advised her that marriage would be the best way forward in life. At the age of 14, she was married to a man in a neighboring village. Later, Immaculate started considering what it would mean for her and her future children if she stayed in her marriage. She stated that “if I am uneducated then I am dooming my children to the same dismal fate . . . I wanted to be more than just a mother”.

After deciding to leave her marriage and go back to school, Immaculate begged two principals to enroll herself in their school, however, they refused. Fortunately, the third school she visited, Immaculate was greeted by the principal, Madam Bonswa, who agreed to allow Immaculate to study. It was through the sponsorship of the school fee by COCE that Immaculate was able to continue at Madam Bonswa’s school.

Immaculate is so thankful and grateful for this opportunity. If an opportunity had not been given to Immaculate to go to school, Immaculate states that she would likely have 3 or 4 children to care for instead of preparing for her graduation from secondary school. When asked what she would like to do in the future, Immaculate says she would like to be like Madam Bonswa, and give other young girls the opportunity to pursue education and avoid child-marriage.

If you would like to know more about our educational sponsorship program, please contact us at outreach@cocekenya.org.