Mathias journey from banditry-prone Kenyan village to American University

BY PENDO SETIM

Mathias Cheboi, 27 the fifth born child in a family of eight from banditry-prone Koiboware village in Sibilo location, Soi ward in Baringo North Sub-county.

He narrates his story of being born and raised as a victim of frequent attack by gun-wielding, balancing challenges of harsh drought, water crisis, food shortage, education and his athletics career.

“My story mirrors the true outcome of hard work, persistence, perseverance, and undying hope,” Cheboi said.

Living through intermittent disruption of schooling occasioned by bandits, Cheboi has undying hope that things will someday get better for school-going children in his motherland, Baringo.

“We survived the banditry attack, but never forgot the narrow escape. It therefore pains my heart that the gun-totters have continued to encroach with resurgence to kill, disrupt education, talent development and suppress dreams for young and innocent children. Something must be done to intervene.”he posed.

Cheboi started his educational journey in remotest Koiboware Primary School, where he was forced to repeat class 8 in 2009 due to lack of school fees, despite him attaining 363 marks.

This time, he changed his name from Allan to Mathias. The 2010 KCPE had him score 377 marks and secured admission place at Nakuru High School.

His school fees were paid, thanks to the support of the then Baringo North MP and current Senator William Cheptumo.

“The leader awarded 10 best performers in the constituency. I was among the 5 best boys and received Kshs.20, 000 that was paid directly to the school.” he said.

Nonetheless, Cheboi still struggled with school fees despite him performing well

“I worked hard from day one, ending the first term with a strong grade of A plain. I reported the second term about two weeks late and without any fees." He said.

Luckily, the Red Rubber Ball

Foundation (RRBF) awarded Mathias a scholarship, which cleared his fees.

“The very day I was to be sent home, RRBF awarded me a scholarship that not only cleared the accrued arrears but also covered the remaining period of my high school," Cheboi said.

The scholarship pushed his educational level and was able to clear his secondary school education.

He got admitted to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in 2015 after scoring a grade of A- in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education-KCSE.

He however deferred his first year due to lack of school fees.

Seeking an alternative path, Mathias Cheboi joined the athletic training camp in Kaptagat in Eldoret, aiming for a scholarship in the United States of America-U.S.A.

Besides working hard in the camp, Cheboi also sought ways of getting income.

“I tried contributing to community development occasionally and whenever possible, I participated regularly in opinion writing on one of the Kenya's daily newspapers," Cheboi recalls.

Cheboi however had to quit the training due to financial constraints.

“Training camp was a self-sponsored affair and all expenses had to be paid out of pocket. I prioritized my mental health and took a break indefinitely," he said.

Cheboi however resolved taking a part-time job as a non-TSC teacher in a local private high school owned by a friend in Kericho.

He also sought casual labor in construction sites during the weekends. He had to collect enough money, to report to school a few months later.

The lad reported back to school in September 2017 and deferred the semester for the third time and went back to the training camp in Eldoret.

Cheboi finally secured a scholarship at Grambling State University of Louisiana in U.SA after 10 months of continuous training.

“I secured an athletic scholarship at Grambling State University of Louisiana, USA, to pursue Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). That was after an attempt to join the Lethbridge College in Canada was denied by the Canadian embassy." He said.

After leaving the country for U.S.A, he became the champion in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) cross-country after winning the men’s

8km race plus the MVP award.

He continued winning several races in the subsequent years.

The youth admits that balancing between education and athletics was not easy.

“I must say balancing the two is not for the faint-hearted. It requires the greatest level of discipline, diligence, resilience, and firm believe in God. The life of a student-athlete is tough and complex, especially when taking demanding majors like nursing."

Even though the nursing profession seemed harder for him, he had to work harder.

“Hospital-based clinical practice and preceptorship came into play. The former required a 12-hour shift every week while the latter demanded 90 clinical hours to be completed within a period of 4 weeks – all running concurrently with class activities and daily track practice." He said.

In May 2023, Cheboi was awarded three prestigious awards during the Grambling State University awards ceremony: The Most Inspirational Track & Field Athlete, Most Valuable Athlete, and the Letterman award.

Cheboi won the 10000m and 5000m and placed second in both 3000m steeplechase and 1500m in the 2023 Track and Field Championships in Praire View, Texas.

Graduated

In May 12, 2023, Cheboi graduated with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and was also among the top performers in the nursing class of 2023, being the only African graduand.

The ceremony took place at Grambling State University Assembly Center (AC), Louisiana State. “Friends, current and some former teammates, coaches, professors, and mentors were in attendance,” said Cheboi.

His family however, who could not attend, due to immigration logistics, live-streamed the ceremony on YouTube. "They were indeed overexcited" he said.

The graduation presented a joyful moment, hardly describable in words, considering that they started the class with 40 students and only 11 remained.

The 2 years journey in nursing school presented resilience and hard work.

Cheboi generally describes his journey as tough, since he had to endure the challenges amidst his progress.