It was all joy and jubilation at the Thika Rescue Centre after one of the destitute children in the institution graduated from Mt Kenya University with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Accounting option on Friday.

Daudi Hani, who hails from Garissa, beat great odds since he was rescued after the death of his mother when he was 10 years. Despite the challenges he faced, he succeeded in scaling up the educational ladder.

His journey started at Garissa Rescue Centre before he was transferred to Thika where he joined Junior Academy School in Class Five. He passed well in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education scoring 400 marks, then joined Kiambu Secondary School, where he scored a C plain.

Since he could not get university admission with that grade, he says he opted to repeat Form Four at Bishop Ndingi secondary in Naivasha where he got a B minus.

He was then admitted to Mt Kenya University where despite the educational hardships and lack of psychosocial support he graduated.

“The journey has been unbelievable. Having no parents and with no much psychosocial support, it wasn’t easy at all. However, a number of well-wishers and some organisations came through and supported my cause,” Hani said.

Hani’s dream might have come true after the Secretary, Department of Children Services Shem Nyakutu who joined the children during their celebrations announced the ministry will employ him this month to reward him for hard work he put in despite the difficult learning environment.

“With financial and psychosocial support, I believe no one is limited. These rescue centres have several bright students who if supported well, will attain their dreams, “said Hani.

Nyakutu termed the achievement a milestone and a motivation to the disadvantaged children as they seek to achieve their dreams.

He said the government will continue supporting rescue centres by providing good environment and support systems, adding that they seek to employ more teachers and psychosocial support workers to help the children get out of life traumas.

While noting that they have a huge staff deficit, he said a lot was being done to address the gap.

He added that they have set aside Sh100 million to secure land in all the 30 government rescue centres from grabbers.  “Our land is under serious threat from grabbers. The process to fence the centres starts this year. We will also equip the facilities to improve the environment,” Nyakutu noted.

Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a, while lauding the achievement said the boy has set a good precedent and proved that disadvantaged children can as well make it.

Ng’ang’a, who is the chair Social Protection Services in Parliament, said her committee was taking priority in uplifting the lives of the less fortunate.