It is always the desire of a parent and community for children to universally access quality education and pursue their dreams. However, this is not often the case as often times life takes a different trajectory as hurdles pile up.

Such is the story of 15-year-old Grade Eight pupil from Makuyu, Murang’a County, who despite living alone in a rented single room and facing social and financial challenges in pursuit of education, he overcame the odds and excelled in the recent Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association Championships in Kakamega.

At 6am, when pupils his peers are still preparing to leave home for school, 15-year-old Zacharia Kamande is usually on the move to chase a dream in athletics. At times, he says, it looks almost impossible given his age and background.

The Grade Eight pupil at Ndeera Primary and Junior School in Makuyu lives alone in a small rented shack, two kilometres from the school compound. The shack is a single room with a tiny bed in one corner. The bed serves as both his dining table and study area.

Master Kamande’s clothes hang above the bed and a tiny stove stands idle with empty cooking utensils next to it – telling a story of going for days without food.

“I started living alone when I was in Grade Four because of the situation at home. I often rely on my teachers for meals and house rent,” he says.

“The first thing I do when I wake-up is fetch water from a nearby borehole, take a shower and hit the road running to school so as to get to school in time,” he says.

Even on the day of the interview had not had breakfast. Despite the water he fetches from the borehole being too salty, he drinks a cup in the morning and head to school. However, these challenges have not dampened his spirit.

Kamande’s perseverance recently earned him two medals at the East African Schools Sports Association championships in Kakamega, where he emerged first in Kenya and third in East Africa in shot-put and discus. Back in Makuyu, he received a hero’s welcome as the school and community celebrated his stellar performance.

“I started participating in athletics while in Grade Four and every year I moved from one level of excellence to the next: from the zonal, county level, regional and this year, I finally managed to compete at the Federation of East Africa Schools’ Sports Association Championships,” he says as he shuffles the medals hanging around his neck

Despite the challenges I face, I train consistently with the help of my teachers-turned coaches,” he adds.

Kamande’s dedication to sport is evident in the hours he spends training every day.

“I train every morning and even on weekends and during the holidays at the Makuyu Teachers Training College without fail,” he said.

Despite his personal struggles, Kamande remains calm, composed and kind. On the field, he commands attention, with power and precision in the shot-put event.

Kamande confidently heaves a four-kilogramme stone with ease, a testament to his strength and hours of dedicated practice. In discus, he displays remarkable technique, a skill that has taken years to perfect.

“With support, I want to pursue this sport beyond junior school and even go international,” he says.

Kamande urges other young people to stay away from antisocial behaviours and keep themselves engaged in constructive activities such as sports and athletics. His trainer, Peter Nderitu says:

“I have been with Kamande since Grade Four when I first spotted his talent and we started harnessing his skills and with disciplined training, today we see the results.”

He opines that if given support, Kamande can go far as he is talented, disciplined and very hardworking in both class and during extra-curricular activities.

“If we get the support of sponsors and well-wishers, we can help him pursue his dream beyond junior school,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, another athletics coach Ronald Musyoka observes that hours of intense training and discipline have produced the results.

“We train every morning, and for the past three years, he has progressed from local competitions to regional events. This time, he shone at East Africa. It takes discipline, focus, and strength,” he adds.

Musyoka urges parents, stakeholders, and sponsors to support young talents like him.

“The Ministry of Education should come on board and support this talent beyond junior secondary school. We are proud of him,” says head-teacher Lydia Murigi.

“He has excelled both in class and in extra-curricular activities,” said Murigi, noting that Kamande had brought recognition to the school during the East African games.

“With support, he has the potential to excel even internationally,” she predicted.

Meanwhile, Kamande’s story is not just about medals and trophies, but a testament of resilience and discipline. It also signifies the power of community support for a boy living alone, in a small humble room, two kilometres from his school, whose sky is the limit.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Florence Kinyua and Bernard Munyao