Sasha Lemein, Tour Guiding Student 2023/2024

With a beaming face that radiates confidence and an admirable gap, one could easily tell that Sasha Lemein, a student at the Wildlife Tourism College (WTC) is a happy woman. The life challenges she has encountered are beyond what you would expect from a 26- year-old. Sasha was
born in Olololunga location in Narok South Sub-County and got married at the age of 24 in Olotorotua village, Aitong location in Narok West Subcounty and is now a mother of 1.5-year-old twins.“I was born into a close-knit and humble family. I was the 2 nd born in a family of 11. My father had no regular income. Life was not bread and butter”, Sasha narrates. “I was taken to boarding school when in class three but my father could not pay beyond the 1 st term. Miraculously a sponsor landed in our school and I was among the lucky 20 who were given a scholarship”
“Life in secondary school was no better,” she said. “I spent more days at home due to lack of school fees than I spent in school. I was able to complete my studies because of my uncle who always came to my rescue. Regardless of the obstacles, my heart was ready to push on, determined I was, no turning back.” After the form four exams, Sasha hit a jackpot and got a front desk job in a certain company near her father’s home where she could earn Ksh. 7,000 per month. Her heart was still yearning to study further. She saved Ksh. 6000 per month for three months and proceeded to the nearest University college -Maasai Mara University, which is in Narok town, the county headquarters. At the university, she pursued a certificate course. The savings could only cater for the course and not the upkeep because her father refused to top up the tuition and boarding fees. She was assisted by a few relatives in Narok town with accommodation and was able to complete her certificate course in human resources.
“Having secured an opportunity to study in WTC is so fulfilling and exciting. The conservation of our environment and culture in the greater Mara region has been one of my dreams,” explained Sasha. “The skills & knowledge that I will attain from this college will enable me
to make a change within my community. We have been here for just one month, but the transformation of life has been enormous; teachings of quality are being provided by very skilled and knowledgeable lecturers, the environment is so conducive and I cannot even remember the
many times I have thanked my Lord for the provision. “The college is making a big difference in our community especially since the offer was for students from within the Mara and the selection was very gender sensitive as out of 40 students, 14 are females. To my surprise, and I am sure that this will add to my growth, I have been appointed as the student’s President,” reports Sasha.“I am amazed by the scholarships that have been availed to us. Almost all students have been sponsored. My husband has only paid Ksh. 40,000 for my school fees and the balance, Ksh.
200,000 has been paid by a sponsor,” Sasha narrates. “I have been wondering how to thank all those who have contributed to my admission to WTC while still in college because the benefits are beyond measure. I have decided to be collecting all the plates &other utensils after the students have taken their meals and clean them up in the kitchen. I have also taken it as my responsibility to be washing the clothes of one of the students who is physically disadvantaged. I wish I could do more,” Sasha explained with a smile on her face.“What do I say on my behalf and on behalf of my fellow students?”, narrates Sasha. “I appreciate the sponsors for making it possible for us to study, the school management for the great leadership and quality education and BCEF for not only their great contribution towards the establishment of this college but also for their continued support,