Metrine Mayende’s story: serving her community

I am Metrine Mayende, one of the CES alumni. CES came in my life way back in 2004 when I was at St. Patrick's Bukhakunga Secondary School in Form One (North American equivalent of Grade Nine - editor).

I used to stay with my elderly grandmother who couldn't afford high school fees, and every time I was being sent home to look for fees in vain. There were times I could stay at home over a month due to lack of school fees, and I almost dropped school during third term of Form One in 2004.

Thanks be to Almighty God through the headteacher, Mr. Ferdinand Musi, who introduced me to CES, as he knew my state and capability. CES paid my whole school fees, I stayed in class and had enough time to read without fee problems. l completed Form Four in 2007 and scored a mean grade of B plain (62 points).

I later joined Kenya Medical Training College at Kisumu in September 2008 to pursue a diploma course in Clinical Medicine and Surgery. I graduated as a clinical officer in 2011, did a one year internship at what is now Kakamega County Referral Hospital in 2012, and received my licence to practice.

I volunteered in several hospitals in the county, both public and private sector. I am currently employed by a USAID programme- Nuru ya Mtoto (Swahili for “Children’s Light” - editor), working at Khwisero Subcounty Hospital as a clinical officer, where I do screening of clients for HIV, TB (Tuberculosis) among other diseases, diagnose and manage the clients by giving health education on prevention measures, treat those diagnosed with the diseases both at hospital and make follow-ups at the community level.

Thanks be to CES for offering me the opportunity, as I can afford to take care of clients through the knowledge and skills I received, take care of my elderly grandmother, pay school fees for my younger siblings and take part in the CES Alumni.