On Saturday 16th of November 2024, we represented Andgate Foundation at The Godfrey Ongowo Foundation during their mini funds drive and annual Scholars Day at his rural home in Gem, Nyagondo in Siaya County.
Eng. Godfrey Ongowo Otieno is a long-time friend of Eng. Jared Ajwang'a and a strategic partner of our Foundation since its inception because of our shared vision of giving opportunities to bright but socio-economically disadvantaged students to access secondary education and most often beyond. So when he mentioned this to us sometime in July and sent an invitation, we felt honored and obliged to support him on this occasion. The Chairman had to cancel other competing appointments and make a trip to Siaya at the invitation of a friend and a fellow 'Havard' Alumnus. I have come to like the way they have insisted on calling their alma mater 'Havard'; perhaps this was the motivating factor that led the boys to focus on their studies and keep aiming for higher goals. Look how they are leaving footprints of kindness and changing lives everywhere they go...!
Bishop Emeritus the Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Otieno Wasonga graced the occasion and we were delighted to share his space. The Bishop who is the Patron of the Foundation, has been a guiding light in our lives since childhood and this reconnection was uplifting. Indeed, this re-union evoked beautiful memories of our youthful Christian journey in which He played a critical role and for that, we remain grateful. Jared has more to say on this; a hilarious story of how one senior girl in our primary school intimidated him so badly during his confirmation preparations that he 'deferred' studies of becoming an Anglican communicant and years later ended up in the hands of Bishop Wasonga while at 'Havard'. Hehee si pole bas...
The Scholars' Day brought together Family and Friends, the Clergy (who accompanied the Bishop), Parents, Guardians, and the community. The young scholars interacted with professionals from diverse fields of expertise including Engineers, Lawyers, Teachers, Doctors as well Public Administrators and Governance Experts. Outstanding performers were feted and they were all encouraged and inspired to work smart towards achieving their academic aspirations.
The students were treated to real-life experiences by older scholars who had waded the waters and emerged successful. This gave them a first-hand insight into the challenges that abound in society and yet these are surmountable; only if they remain focused and determined. All these were courtesy of Scholar No. 80 of Ongowo Foundation who was recently admitted to the Bar to practice as an Advocate. We belatedly celebrated this great milestone with her and as Andgate Foundation we say 'Hongera Sana'.
As a forerunner for the Chairman, I pointed out to the students that discipline was a key ingredient for success in their academic aspirations. Our Chairman, Eng. Ajwang'a gave a witty, educative, and inspiring speech; emphasizing to the students the need to participate in co-curricular activities and utilize their talents that may otherwise be eroded when they bury their heads in books at the expense of their holistic growth and development.
The whole idea was to strike a balance between academics and talents and to pursue only those courses they felt confident and passionate about. He advised that running a Foundation had its fair share of challenges and relevant stakeholders needed to pool resources together to support such causes noting that sustainability was very difficult and yet the gaps in access to post-primary education were glaring.
We later spent the evening with Nya-Kisumo bursting our lungs out with laughter because she has the gift of gab laced with humor and wisdom. We chatted the evening away at her inquisitive feet (typical of African Mothers) as she gave us words of encouragement and blessings. Nya-Kisumo is the loving and caring Mother we have on the other side of the River and isn't she just adorable?
On our way home and for the umpteenth time, we declared that River Yala is not navigable on the Gem - Aluor road; too many swerves on the road, lol!
We wish Eng. Ongowo and his team the very best and want to sincerely thank him for the fruitful session; we are pleased to have participated and are proud to be associated!
Looking forward to more opportunities to transform lives through education, one child at a time...
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