By Levix | St. Vincent Scholarship Recipient
For the past eight years, with your support, we have provided educational assistance to our student Levix, first to enable him to attend secondary (high) school and then to join Tangaza University's teacher training college where he is close to graduation.
This year, following in the footsteps of another St. Vincent student, Levix had the esteemed privilege to take a break from his studies at Tangaza and study abroad with the Institute of Shipboard Education's Semester at Sea program. As the first ever Tutu Ubuntu Scholar (named for Archbishop Desmond Tutu), Levix received full external support to participate in the program, sailing around the world on the MV Odyssey to 10 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe while studying.
While the transition was not necessarily an easy one, Levix clearly had as much impact on the program (which just wrapped up in Amsterdam yesterday!) as it had on him. He had this to say about his experience:
I was born in the Kibera slum of Nairobi and grew up with a single parent from a very, very humble background. We couldn’t pay for primary or high school, and I had to find scholarships and missionaries to support my education. There were times when we were homeless or nearly homeless, and I had to work very hard for everything that I have done in my life.
I found out about Semester at Sea and was quite curious about it, but the real question was how I could pay for it. I discovered the Desmond Tutu Ubuntu scholarship and thought maybe it was possible. I didn’t know about the Ubuntu philosophy because it is from the South African tradition, so I read up on it and I realized that we have a similar word in Swahili.
That’s when I realized that my whole life is full of Ubuntu. From my kindergarten and free education, it is Ubuntu. From my experience of high school payments from a foundation, it is Ubuntu. From the kindness of counselor officers helping with my visas, it is Ubuntu. Nothing but Ubuntu. I am here today from hard work and perseverance, but also from the kindness of others. From Ubuntu.
This voyage was the first time I ever stepped outside the border of Kenya so you can imagine how eye-opening this experience has been for me. I have never been in an elevator. I have never used a Western shower. I have never been to an airport. I have never seen the ocean. This voyage is the first time in my life that I have been sure of having 3 meals a day. I have learned so much from my Semester at Sea family. Everything has been amazing. I am very grateful for all of the people who’ve contributed to my journey. I am so thankful for the spirit of Ubuntu
We are proud of Levix's acheivements and eager to see what is next for him (after he graduates from his teacher training program early next year). We are sure he will have an impact on many more lives in his future.
Thank you for your continued support of our scholarship program. These funds enable us to open up many doors (even the most surprising ones) to Kenya's youth.
By Maureen | Program Beneficiary
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