Garissa, Kenya| In a tale of resilience, determination, and unyielding hope, Yasmin Dubat Farah, an 18-year-old from Garissa County, has emerged as one of the top-performing students in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in the Northeastern region.
Her journey to academic excellence is a testament to the power of perseverance amidst life’s harshest challenges.
For every parent, the dream of seeing their child thrive in education and life represents a profound commitment to nurturing a brighter future.
Education is often regarded as the gateway to opportunities, independence, and empowerment, and parents dedicate themselves to ensuring their children receive the tools and support needed to succeed.
Amina Hassan, Yasmin’s mother, exemplifies this commitment. Balancing the weight of family responsibilities, Amina has tirelessly worked to provide for Yasmin and her three siblings, even as she cared for her ailing husband.
Her sacrifices have been pivotal in enabling Yasmin’s remarkable academic journey.
Yasmin’s path to success began with a promising performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), where she scored 346 marks.
Determined to rise above her family’s financial struggles, she devoted herself to her studies and achieved an outstanding A- grade in the KCSE, narrowly missing an outright A.
Her achievement has brought pride not only to her family but also to her community.
Reflecting on her journey, Yasmin expressed her gratitude:
“First and foremost, I thank Allah for this success. Secondly, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my family and teachers, who have been my pillars of support throughout this journey. Without their belief in me, I couldn’t have achieved this milestone,” she said.
She candidly shared the challenges she faced, including the financial difficulties that threatened her education.
“Both my parents struggle to make ends meet. While high school was a great experience, it came with significant challenges. I could only stay in class because of the understanding and kindness of my teachers. My mother worked tirelessly late into the night to gather enough money for my school fees,” Yasmin added.
As the firstborn in her family, Yasmin embraced the dual roles of a student and a role model for her younger siblings.
She managed her studies while assisting with household chores and tutoring her siblings, a testament to her discipline and determination.
Her mother, Amina, described her as an inspiration and a source of pride for the family:
“I thank God for my daughter’s success. She is disciplined and hardworking. I remember when they broke for holidays, she used to help me with housework while simultaneously reading and helping her younger siblings with their revisions. Unfortunately, her father has been sick throughout, and I was the only one tasked with seeking help from family and friends. That is how I managed to send her to school. Yasmin always promised me that she would one day make me proud, and indeed, I am a proud mother today.”
Yasmin’s journey is far from over. She now dreams of pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree at the University of Nairobi.
However, her family’s financial constraints present a significant hurdle. She has appealed to well-wishers and organizations to support her aspirations of becoming a doctor and contributing to society.
Yasmin’s story resonates deeply as an inspiring example of how determination, coupled with family and community support, can overcome even the toughest challenges.
Her success is a beacon of hope for countless young people facing similar struggles, proving that with resilience and faith, no dream is out of reach.
