I am Rachael E. Msoka, and have just graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Nairobi. I am from a Tanzanian and have 4 siblings but I am the only one who got a chance to access good education. When my father died on a road accident, I was very young. My mother could not support the whole family and my aunt offered to take me with her to Kenya. One of my sisters ended up marrying at a tender age and our third born later did the same. Ours was a struggle to make ends meet.

Although I was too old, about 12 years, I entered primary school. This was my only chance to learn English, the language used in all Kenyan schools, since I only spoke my mother tongue. I knew the fees, personal effects stationary was a challenge for my aunt, but she found a way. To everyone's surprise, including mine, I did very well in primary school and was admitted to Moi Girls' Secondary School in Kajiado.

It was only with the good fortune of a BEADS sponsorship that I was able to enroll and finish high school and continue to medical school. I am honored and humbled by the efforts of BEADS for Education and my sponsors and will always do my best to use my skills wisely and help as many people as I can - especially the needy women.

Thank you,

Rachael