28- year old Aurelie Atiang receives Equity Banks’ wings to fly sponsorship

It’s never late until it’s late; this is evident as a 28years old mother of two receives wings to fly to a bright and great future which comes as greatest luck in her life as she receives sponsorship for her education from the wings to fly project by the Equity Bank Foundation.

28-year-old Aurelia Atyang who scored 348 points and managed to get sponsorship from Equity bank through the Wings to Fly program as she spoke out her experience as a mother and pupil at the same time. Aurelie Atiang mother of two kids aged six and three years has been given an opportunity to realize her dreams which had been dimmed for lack of school fees to access secondary education. Ms Atiang’ who sat for her KCPE for the first time in 1998 and scored 412 marks was unable to join a secondary school because her grandparents could not afford her school fees. It was hard for her to stay home when she knew she had the ability to go further but never gave up the hope that one day she will be able achieve her dreams. She was born out of wedlock and her parents who never married abandoned her to the care of her grandparents who have been her only family. Ms Atiang’ when speaking to West Fm said that after completing primary school she had to work as a house girl so that she could support herself and her grandparents she later got married to Collins Waliaula in 2004 with whom they bore children. After getting married she trained and worked as a dressmaker until last year when she went back to school at Noigam primary school in Trans Nzoia East District with the support of her husband, and scored 338 marks. “It was not easy going back to school. As a mother and being older than the other pupils the community looks at you differently and most parents did not want me to socialize with their children.” She said Ms Atiang’, who has received an admission letter from St. Josephs Girls High School, said that she kept her dreams alive and that her perseverance has finally paid off as she can now realize her longtime dream of being a lawyer. “I never gave up hope for a better future and now I have been given a chance to continue with my education and fulfill my longtime dream of becoming a lawyer. Besides being able to give my family a better future I would also be able to help other needy people in our country especially children who need someone to voice their rights.” Said Ms. Atiang’ She is grateful to Equity Group Foundation, MasterCard foundation, UKAID and USAID for sponsoring her secondary education and upkeep at the same time asked the government, church and political leaders to come up with such projects to enable needy children achieve their dreams. Aurelie encourages other young people not to give up on their hope and aspirations as there is always a light at the end of every tunnel. Her head teacher Mr. Kiprop Kwambai who is also the treasurer of the Kenya Primary Heads Association Trans Nzoia East, said that Aurelie Atiang’ is a role model for others in the same situation. He added that being the Head Girl in her school Aurelia counseled girls in her school which has reduced the number of young girls in the school dropping out because of pregnancy. Mr.Kwambai said that when Ms Atiang’ joined the school last year, some teachers and parents were abit apprehensive at first but after seeing her potential they gave her full support and even chipped in for exam registration and upkeep.   He advised her not to despise her background and keep on working hard to achieve her goals and asked other School Heads and parents not to look down on such kids but give them the opportunity and encouragement to advance their education levels.