It’s really unfortunate that the CEO HELB wants to frustrate the efforts that have been made by the current academics director,Edwin Gogo. Previously,comrades have really suffered to raise school fees and upkeep while in campus. However much it’s the human nature to no be satisfied with what we have, the money that the higher education loans board provides is still very little. More often than not, the money comes and there is no definite place that a comrade can give an account on apart for the few Kamaus and Nyamburas who have ventured into business while still studying.
More than half of our population in campus are from either single parent or not even a single parent alive but really broke.
The previous semester was a bad mad semester for all of us to swallow. Without our wish two of us were laid to rest.RIP Charity and Isaac. For the lady she was hardly given even an opportunity to give her last wishes on earth.Most of comrades missed accommodation probably due to lack school fees accommodation fees or due to lack of enough social facilities to accommodate our comrades in campus. What a semester!
The HELB smartcard policy is meant to monitor on how we use our finances. We are all Kenyan citizen and the idea has been publicly rejected because who wants to be told on how to spend his or her finances? No one is willing to be monitored like a bank with a CCTV camera on a how to use their finances. I believe “mtoto akililia wembe mpe” and” asiyefunzwaa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu”. Lessons learnt through experience stick much more and longer than those which are imposed.
The battle ahead is really great. We are of diverse financial,social and academic background but at the end of the day I must ensure that my position as a vice chair ensures that every student is accommodated and appreciated in our dynamic community that is changing socially and economically every day. I join the camp and ideologies of the guys of the liberal minded not only in Moi university but also in the nation of Kenya who are out tospearhead and to ensure that our comrades are well represented in our respective unions and governmental associations/organizations, my desire is to see that more comrades finish in peace and satisfaction that there was no hindrance during their educational programme.
The HELB smartcards are of no benefits to students. In fact they are adding more liabilities to us. We shall repay the loan with interest plus tax and now they are adding more and more expenses. No! No! No! I will not sit and see us being exploited. Despite my political aspirations I am a comrade I would rather die by being comrade than be a daughter of a man who is reaching out to the very last dime of the average Kenyan. I am a comrade no matter what. Whatever affects a comrade affects me like a mother nursing a young baby….we say NO TO HELB SMARTCARDS!
By Grace Njenga.
The writer is a third year student in the School of Education (guidance and counselling)
No comments:
Post a Comment