Moi University student narrates campus journey after completing course: "Niliuza mandazi"

• When Ruth Wanjiru Gachuhi joined Moi University, she had only one goal, to study and complete her course
• That was easier said than done, as she opened up to NGBREAKINGNEWS about the challenges she faced and the sacrifices she had to make
• From making mandazis to plaiting hair, the 22-year-old did odd jobs to survive campus life after coming from a humble background

It is one thing to complete your studies and graduate, but another to secure employment after finishing school.

This is the reality facing a young woman from Thika, Kiambu county, who has recently completed her studies and is now searching for a source of income.

Ruth Wanjiru Gachuhi is proud to have completed her Bachelor of Science in Counselling Psychology at Moi University.

However, she is yet to graduate officially, as her ceremony is scheduled for December. In the meantime, she is looking for a job before the big day.

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How did Ruth Wanjiru learn to survive in campus?

Speaking to NGBREAKINGNEWS, the 22-year-old opened up about her campus experience and the challenges she encountered.

“People usually say campus years are the best years of someone’s life. For me, they were both the best and the hardest years of my life. I joined university in 2022 when I was still very young. I left home and moved to a new environment, new weather, new people, and a completely new life. At first, I was excited, but with time, reality hit me hard. Campus is not easy, especially when you come from a humble background. Many people think university life is all about enjoyment, parties, relationships, and freedom, but for some of us, it was survival.

I had to learn how to survive on my own because I knew things were not easy back home. School fees were catered for, but everything else depended on me. I sold mandazis in school just to earn something for upkeep. I plaited people’s hair. I worked as a waitress. I did assignments for students. I tried businesses and collaborations just to survive. Sometimes I got tired physically and mentally, but I still had to wake up the next morning and continue because giving up was never an option,” she narrated,

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Wanjiru said campus exposed her to different lifestyles and people, giving her a broader perspective on life.

What kind of people did Ruth Wanjiru encounter in campus?

Coming from the slums, she observed how some students struggled with depression, substance abuse, and living beyond their means.

“You meet all kinds of people. Some become blessings in your life, while others almost destroy you. There is pressure everywhere, pressure to fit in, pressure to look okay even when you are struggling, pressure to party, drink, smoke, and live a soft life even when you cannot afford it. Sometimes you find yourself fighting not to lose yourself. You watch people become addicted to alcohol and substances because they are stressed, lonely, depressed, or trying to escape reality. You watch bright students lose direction completely. You see people battling heartbreak, depression, anxiety, and silent pain.

Some cry themselves to sleep but still wake up smiling because nobody really checks on students deeply. Campus can be lonely. Sometimes you have no money, but you still attend classes pretending everything is okay. Sometimes you avoid calls because you are tired of explaining your situation. Sometimes you feel lost. Sometimes life feels like it is moving too fast and you are trying so hard to catch up. I have had moments where I questioned myself, my future, and whether things would ever get better. But through everything, I kept going.”

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As a counselling psychology student, Wanjiru said she is open to both one-on-one and virtual sessions as she builds her career.

University student drops out of school to collect cans

In another story, Haji’s educational journey at university was cut short a year after joining due to financial challenges.

The young man was determined to get a quality education but lacked adequate funding and support from his family.

He later turned to collecting and selling cans and plastic bottles to earn a living and survive.

Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS