Meet Brighton Okoth Odhiambo

Brighton has just secured a spot at St. Aloysius in Form 2, which was a major feat to him. He believes that this is an opportunity sent by God, having made a similar attempt in 2019 only to be turned down due to a late application. St. Al’s had been his preferred school since interacting with a St. Al’s graduate who was his teacher.  Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent closure of schools was a blessing in disguise for Brighton as it gave him an opportunity to take care of his ailing mother whose long and arduous struggle with kidney failure ended in December 2020 when she passed on. He cherishes the last moments they spend together and believes his mum lived a short but fulfilling life. Brighton reflects that if that schools were in session, he is not sure who would have nursed his ailing mum, or even if he would have secured his precious chance at St. Al’s. 

 During this time, he was forced use his natural skill for repairing bicycles to make money for the family and take care of his mum during her illness. He managed to save $130 from his work, all of which went to his mum’s medication. He feels that he gave his mum a reason to smile in her last days.  He also credits his mum with leaving him a gift – a gift of helping him to secure a chance at St. Al’s just a month before she died. For him, St. Al’s just became his home! As a tribute to his late mum, he composed her a beautiful song that helps him to remember her beauty, courage, and love.  Being the only child, he couldn’t think of a better way to honor his mother’s legacy than by writing the song and staying focused on his studies.

 Currently, he stays with his uncle about 15 kilometers from St. Aloysius and rides a bicycle he earned to and from school. On the days when his bike is broken down, he must walk for more than 90 minutes each way. He, however, sees this as part of his long journey to success. His purpose in life is motivated not just by his desire to succeed, but to keep the solemn promise he made to his mum. Being a casual laborer with no professional background, she always encouraged Brighton to work hard in order to change the course of their family. In order to achieve this, he asserts that St. Aloysius is certainly the pathway to his success because of its environment and the assistance provided to students and their families, especially as evidenced by food support in 2020. Further, he finds the teachers and staff to be kind, organized, and supportive of individual students’ needs. Brighton’s passion for automobiles has influenced his career aspirations of becoming a mechanical engineer. He hopes to be able to establish a company that supplies automobile parts. He summarizes his story by saying, “St. Al’s is my last hope for my dreams”.