After spending 11 years (K_8th grade) with most of these students, in January 2018 they left LightHouse Academy to go to High School. The teachers, staff, parents, and community at LightHouse knew they had established a solid foundation that would enable them to excel in every aspect of their education in High School.

During their holiday break, we sat down with them to hear more about their High School experience this far. Here is what they had to say:

Willyster Sime – “My teachers are fun and committed to helping us. The first month was hard because I didn’t know how to properly manage my time, especially for my studies. I joined a study group. It has helped me finish my homework and extra studies on time.”

James Opere – “I love my science classes. I wake up everyday and look forward to the physics, chemistry and math lessons. I’ve been able to help other students who are not doing well in the science classes. I was so excited and encouraged when I found out that Rafiki helped me with my school fees. My dad wanted me to join a village high school with poor academic performance. I was sad everyday. But when I found out about the scholarship, I knew I had the opportunity to work hard and be successful in my education.”

Scholar Achieng – “I love my school. The headmistress is very committed to excellence. The teachers are true role models. I am learning a lot both academically and socially.”

Linda Akoth – “I think our school is the best high school in Kenya. The food is excellent and balanced. The teachers are committed and know what they are doing. All the other staff is committed to their work. The girls are friendly. All students love and help each other.”

Esther Akoth – “I love my school. The teachers and the headmistress are so kind. I’m in student government, I lead Bible study and do peer counseling. I’m in drama and music clubs. I know that everyone at my school cares for my success. I am working hard and cherishing this opportunity. There are many girls who want an education but cannot get one. But most of all, I thank God for bringing Rafiki into my life and giving me this scholarship so I can get an education.”

Abigael Siwo – “I am so happy to be in High School. I know my dreams will come true because there are wonderful people supporting all of us. I feel so special to be a girl in this community because I know all the girls from LightHouse will change this community. For now, we have to work hard in school and get our careers first. My high school is great, I love it.”

Collins Oduka – “My High School has a very high population of students. I have to be assertive and stand out to get the teachers help and other services. There are many boys who are not very nice but I show them kindness. I lost a few things the first term. I am grateful for being at that school because I’m learning teamwork with people I may not like.”

Class of 2021 – “High School is fun, fun, fun! We are so grateful to everyone who partnered with Rafiki in 2018 to help us join High School in January. Your contributions helped pay our school fees. Many of our friends did not go to school due to lack of money, but because of your support, we are in school this year. We promise to work hard and excel in everything we do. Your support in 2019 for our 10th-grade year will be a blessing. Our community is to have Rafiki work with us. Thank you for being our friends.”

Thank you to all the sponsors for the Class of 2021. Help Rafiki send these students back to school in January 2019 for their 10th-grade year. Give HERE.

Recently our 8th graders finished their exams, meaning that they are done with 8th grade and will move onto high school in January. We are spotlighting these students, who are the highest performing class we’ve had yet!

In Kenya, even public high school has a tuition. The better high schools tend to have higher tuitions, and students are placed in a high school by their exam scores. These students are bright and promising. Read about them below. High school classes are the most in need of sponsorship because their education is more expensive. If you’d like to sponsor their class during their high school years visit the Sponsor Students page. 

 

Sime Willyster Akoth

I have been at LightHouse Academy for six years. I like being a student at LightHouse Academy because of the good performance. I like playing football [soccer] and singing. When I reach college, I would like the course of a nurse. When I grow up I would like to help our community by building more schools and helping the orphans.

-Sime Willyster Akoth, 14 years old

 

 

Teddy Joshua Alando

I have been at LightHouse Academy for two years…and by God’s grace – wishing it to be the last year. [Because he will graduate.] As a student at LightHouse, I really like much about my school: my good friends, our beloved “Mums” here for us, our studies, our teachers, only to mention a few. My hobbies are reading magazines, drumming and playing music. About courses, I would like to take “journalism”, if possible! For my community, I would first find a way on how to help them live a deep life in a way of not spending a lot of money on buying things that “we can make ourselves”. For example, the planting of trees as a result of using them in building up schools; we must create an awareness on the importance of replacing a traditional way of making charcoal by not cutting or bringing down the trees. By all these, this will leave my community not having to live a life of losing just to have.

-Teddy Joshua Alando, 17 years old

 

Opere James Oahiambo

I have been at LightHouse Academy for four years. I liked becoming a student at LightHouse because the performance was good and students were disciplined. My hobby is playing soccer. I would like the course of piloting in college. I am planning to help the community by building schools for the orphans and starting some projects which could help the community to grow economically.

-Opere James Oahiambo, 14 years old

 

Scholar Achieng

 

I have been in LightHouse Academy for four years. Being a student at LightHouse has made me benefit much in my primary education and it has made me and other pupils to have good performance. I like swimming in the river during my free time. I would like to take of journalism in my college level. I am about to start a Youth Group in the community that can help them to earn their living standard.

-Scholar Achieng, 16 years old

 

Effie Adhiambo

 

 

I like being a student at LightHouse because of the good meals they provide, the good performance they have and the quality teachers they have. I like swimming as my hobby and I would like to take journalism courses in college. After completing college, I would build hospitals and start some projects that would help my community.

– Effie Adhiambo, 15 years old

 

 

 

I have been at LightHouse Academy for four years. I like being a student at LightHouse Academy for the better and good teachers who are employed. I am a boy talented in football [soccer] and dancing. I plan to have a course of becoming a doctor when I grow up. I plan to help the community after my education by building more schools for the orphans and health services for those who are sick.

-Tonny Austine, 14 years old

 

 

Linda Akoth

I have been at LightHouse for ten years. In LightHouse, what I like is how we are being aught and how we do play during physical education. My hobby is playing in football [soccer] matches. I like it very much. When I finish my secondary education, I would like to be a doctor in the future. If I finish college, I would like to help my community by building a hospital for them to have better treatment.

-Odera Linda Akoth, 13 years old

 

 

Siwo Abigael Aluoch

I like dancing and reading storybooks. I’ve been at LightHouse Academy for four years. I like being at LightHouse Academy because of the good performance in the school. I would like to train in nursing in college. When I grow up, I would like to help my community by planting trees and building hospitals.

-Siwo Abigael Aluoch, age 15

 

 

Anna Adhiambo

I have been at LightHouse Academy for 8 years; I like being at LightHouse because of good performance and proper hygiene. My hobby is reading storybooks, dancing and playing volleyball. If I finish college, I want to be a lawyer in the future. After finishing all that, I would like to help my community by building schools for orphans and needy people.

 

– Anna Adhiambo, 13 years old

 

 

Lovintronner Akoth

 

I have been at LightHouse for 6 years. I like better teaching and good performance at LightHouse. I like playing soccer and I would like to be a pilot in the future. I would like to build schools for the orphans and provide basic needs for the widows in my community.

 

-Lovintronner Akoth, 14 years old

 

 

 

Mary Patience Akinyi

I have been in LightHouse for 9 years. What I like in LightHouse is proper hygiene, proper teaching, and a balanced diet. My hobby is listening to music and reading storybooks. I would like to be an actress. I would like to help the community by distributing basic needs to the needy and the poor, and organizing an orphanage school and children’s home.

-Mary Patience Akinyi, age 14

 

 

Ann Ogutu

 

I am Ogutu Ann Akinyi. I am a Kenyan aged 17 years old. I have been at lighthouse for 6 years. I like the good performance of Lighthouse and how the cooks are humble to me. During my leisure time, I like visiting the needy and playing football [soccer]. When I grow up, I would like to be a teacher. I plan to help my community by building schools for them.

-Ann Ogutu, 17 years old

 

Kevin Onyango

I have been at LightHouse for 7 years. I like my teachers and pupils. Ialso like our cooks and workers for they are obedient and gave me advice when I got onto a wrong path. My hobby is playing soccer and reading storybooks. I would like to do the course of piloting in college. I am planning to help the community by respecting my elders and therefore showing a good example.

-Kevin Onyango, age 14

 

James Onyango

 

I have been at LightHouse for four years. I like our teachers, our school, our breakfast, our lunch, the school manager, our performance and all the subjects that we’re being taught. My hobby is playing football [soccer]. I would like to do a doctor course in college. I plan to help the community by respecting the elders and doing things that may lead to development in my community.

-James Onyango, age 14

 

 

 

I’ve been at LightHouse for 10 years.I like the performance of students of LightHouse and the teaching of their teachers. I like playing football [soccer] as my hobby and I would like to do a course for a game warden. When I finish my course I will build an orphanage at my community and some project that could help the community to grow economically.

-Collins Odukah, age 17

 

Jacklyne Akinyi

 

 

I have been at LightHouse Academy for four years. I like how they teach, also how they cook. We always eat a balanced diet at school daily. My hobby is playing football [soccer] and reading novels. I always spend my leisure time playing football [soccer] and reading storybooks. If I finish my school, I will help the community by helping the needy, contributing food to the orphans and building the nation. I would like to be a pilot. I will go to Aviation College.

-Jacklyne Akinyi, age 15

 

 

Esther Akoth

I have been at LightHouse for 6 years. What I like about being a student at LightHouse, is how the teachers are teaching and the pupils are performing. My hobby is playing football [soccer] and farming. The course I would like in college is nursing. I plan to help the community by building a school for orphans and helping the needy.

-Esther Akoth, age 17

 

 

Irine Opudo

I have been in LightHouse for 9 years. I like being a student at LightHouse Academy because of the good performance in the school. I like reading novels. I would like to be a banker in the future. I am planning to help my community by building a school and a hospital in the community.

-Irene Opudo, age 14

 

 

 

Mercy Achieng

 

 

I have been at LightHouse Academy for 4 years and I like the teaching and good performance of LightHouse. I like singing as my hobby. I would like to do nursing as my course and I am planning to help the community by building water projects for the people to have clean water for drinking

-Mercy Achieng, age 17