High Marks for Sponsorship

My name is Stephen Karanj Njagi. I was born May 22, 1997. I am described as a miracle baby because I was born 14 years after my brother. There was joy and celebration in the family, church and clan. My maternal grandfather, whom I am named after, slaughtered a he-goat and there was feasting at his home.

I live at Sagana Township in Kenya, central province, about 100 kilometers northeast of Nairobi. My home is not far from Mt. Kenya, the tallest mountain in Kenya.

I thank God for enabling me to grow up in a home where both parents,  Eric and Mary Njagi, are Nazarene pastors. They planted a church in our area seven years before I was born and that church has now "mothered" nine other organized churches. I take part in several church activities like singing in the choir, mopping the floor and Bible reading.

At home, I help my parents with household chores like washing cooking utensils and weeding the plot around our rented home. I rear some native hens.

I started schooling at an early age in a small Church of the Nazarene-sponsored nursery school. I was in a class of 11 pupils. From there I joined Lower Sagana Primary School. I was always at the top of my class.

In 2008, I joined Kerugoya Good Shepherd Academy, a private primary school on sponsorship. I had to work hard because I met some other bright children in my class. At that point I focused on joining a National High School. I made sure that I covered my coursework properly and formed discussion groups with clever pupils in my class. I continued being top of my class. The goal was now to improve my grades.

I took my academic work seriously, never compromised on discipline and trusted God for my success. I thank my teachers, our school manager Mr. Mugo, and my parents for the constant encouragement. The teachers nurtured my academic potential diligently. I avoided bad company and asked teachers to assist me every time I had a problem. I expected to do well in the K.C.P.E. (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education).

This exam is done at the end of eight years of primary schooling in Kenya. It determines the category of high school a candidate is to join. Nearly every family in the country has a standard eight candidate. The results are announced by the Minister for Education and broadcast live on all the radio and television stations, as well as on the Internet. During the announcement, parents, teachers, pupils and the general public are glued to their radio and television sets.

On this particular day I was visiting my elder sister's home. She told me that my name had been read as the 9th best out of 727,054 candidates who had sat the exam. The best candidate scored six marks higher than me. I was elated, but was overwhelmed by the instant popularity and attention. All the major newspapers, television stations and radio reporters started looking for me.  Total strangers congratulated me at the roadside.

At my home, neighbours and other people had already assembled and were waiting for my arrival. Everybody wanted to know the secret behind my success.  Hard work + discipline + positive attitude + God = Success in abundance.  I obey and respect my elders.
 
On the following day my photograph appeared in all the major newspapers and TV channels. I was admitted into Starehe Boys Center, which is a charitable institution for bright students from all corners of the country. It is a leading National High School started in 1959. Today, it helps the less fortunate, but bright boys in Kenya. I am delighted to be a part of this school which has produced prominent personalities in my country.

Throughout my school life, I have benefitted from the