By Rita Okoye

A Standard 5 pupil whose photo went viral on social media for hanging precariously on a motorbike ferrying firewood in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya, can now smile after a local NGO offered to pay her school fees.

Faith Jepchirchir, 13, had accompanied her grandmother, Lilian Kobilo, 75, to the forest 4km away from their home to fetch firewood. The granny has been raising Jepchirchir and her two siblings since their mother deserted them.
Kobilo’s only source of income is from the sale of firewood.

After her story was published, ‘Soles for African Child’, a Nairobi-based NGO intervened.

The NGO did shopping for the family, bought 10 pairs of shoes and offered to pay Jepchirchir’s fees until she completes secondary school.

Her headteacher Salina Mumol said Jepchirchir is a hardworking, kind and focused girl.

However, the problems at home affected her self-esteem.