Posts Tagged ‘Joseph Mutuma’

Part of the first graduating class from St. Francis School in The Children’s Village was Joseph Mutuma.  Joseph received a full tuition, room and board scholarship in 2008 from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  In January 2009, Joseph began his undergraduate studies at Chestnut Hill.  As a freshman, he was inducted into Alpha Lambda NHS for outstanding freshmen.  In addition, he became a member of Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business Management and Administration.  Further, Joseph is a Departmental Honors Invitee, currently investigating the Toyota Motor Corporation for his honors project.   In addition to his studies, Joseph works on campus as a grounds’ keeper 20 hours a week and has also added computer science courses as part of his studies.  Currently, Joseph is taking masters’ courses along with his undergraduate classes as part of a program, which allows students to take masters’ courses prior to receiving their undergraduate degree.

In May 2013, Joseph will be awarded a BS in Accounting and Computer Science and in December 2013, Joseph will be awarded an MS in Instructional Technology.  Joseph’s professors, administrators, his supervisor on the grounds all rave about Joseph as an honest and hard working young man.

While Joseph’s accomplishments are notable, what is more impressive is Joseph’s background.  His mother died when he was quite young and his father was unable to care for him.  So, Joseph’s grandmother helped.  Joseph lived with her for several years where they fetched water, grew a few potatoes for food, slept on a dirt floor.  But Joseph’s grandmother was often ill.  She died when he was around 5 years old; Joseph tried to survive alone.  Someone in his village took pity and had Joseph move in with him.  He was then sent to a primary school where he excelled.  From here, Joseph found his way to Father Riwa.  Joseph asked Father if he could stay and attend secondary school, which he did.

When she first met Joseph, Sue Ozar said he was beginning to learn the computer.  But Joseph quickly learned to use the computer in connection with a brief English language course in Nairobi.   From there Joseph traveled alone to Philadelphia to begin his studies.  This is truly a remarkable story of an outstanding  young man.

Two years ago Joseph Mutuma, in the first graduating class at the Children’s Village, boarded a plane in Nairobi for Philadelphia where he was awarded a scholarship at Chestnut Hill College. 

With the guidance of Mike and Peg Connolly in Philadelphia and Jim McLaughlin at Chestnut Hill College (pictured here) Joseph not only quickly acclimated, he EXCELLED. Everyone at the Children’s Village is proud of their “brother’ in the States.

Joseph carries a full load of classes and manages to work 20 hours a week on the campus. This past summer we had the opportunity to visit with Joseph and we were impressed with the positive image he has created for himself, Kenya and the quality of education at the Children’s Village.

Many colleges were asked to consider providing scholarships to students from the Children’s Village. Only Chestnut Hill College said “YES.”  It has been a wonderful experience for everyone for Joseph has made us all proud. It is Joseph’s goal to return to Kenya and use the accounting skills he is learning to improve the functions of Kenyan government.

Thank you Chestnut Hill College.