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A Kenyan man has shared his inspirational story of how he went on to achieve academic success in the US despite being written off by the Kenyan education system.
Having scored D+ in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, Mwangi Mukami had no chance of joining the college in Kenya as the grade was way below the minimum requirement. His dream of attaining a college or university education was thwarted until he got a chance to move to the US.
Upon landing in the US, Mwangi wasted no time and he immediately went back to school to fulfill his education dream. Now aged 36, he recently graduated with his fifth degree.
He wrote: “I have just received my graduate diploma from UC Berkeley. 20+ years ago, Kenya’s education system wrote me off as a failure because I had a D+.”
“I remember vividly saying to my peers that I wanted to be a policymaker or an attorney. Their response was a burst of collective laughter and sneer. But here I am—five degrees at 36. I hope God grants me a long life, success, and wealth to open doors of opportunities for more D+ students.”
“For the misfits, the rejected, and the oppressed. Congratulations to my mom. The degree is a reflection of her tenacity. I am grateful and honored to have wonderful brothers and sisters who support and trust my ability to achieve: Elizabeth Mwariri Keyym Peters, Lissa Irvenne Kayte Khulgal Jeph Collins.
“I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement of Kay Ventura, Carol McCrary, and Betty Mc Crary Alarms, And I can’t forget Elizabeth Woods for the many nights she drove to take me to school.
“Jim Foti for the countless recommendation letters Joe Beasley for an initial grant to attend a community college. I am because of all these people and I couldn’t be so grateful and honored to have them in my life. For Nick, the next step is a JD.”
Comments
congratulation.one day one time I will also make to state and fulfil my dreams
Pia ulipata D+??
Congratulations for your hard work and "High Five" for those who supported you.
Dude, the Kenyan Education System did not write u off as a failure, u sat for the exams n the best u could attain was a D+. Your lack of effort gained u a D+ n by ur reasoning i would lower it to D-. Am happy you decided to take Education seriously but u should be proud of ur D+ idiot.
Proud of you. Never let anyone tell you who you are and what you can achieve. Tell them and show them what you are made of!
Congratulations young brother!!! Kenyan education system did not fail you. The D grade you received in Kenya is what you earned. Perhaps you didn’t apply yourself as much as you did on your higher education. Like most of us, we all need that motivation. That D grade was your motivation to work hard.
Now, stop schooling and go make some money for your happy behind. Command $100k for each degree. Don’t anything less than $500k starting salary :-)
😂😂😂professional student
@Kk,I have to agree with you that the D+ woke up the "dormant"drive in him,much like threat of divorce by a very worthy wife might straighten an irresponsible hubby.Or a drunkard who survives a terrible accident.
To me, one score should not define failure.We recently saw dismal performance from GOAT kipchoge,Eliud.Certainly cannot judge him carrier by that single performance...
I look forward to reading three years from now ,3 more degrees.Education is unending.It is a continuous discovery of how ignorant we are.
Hahahaahaaha... True... 5 degrees for what? I call them Kenyans who want to be called for a talk and then go on to tell us how he has accomplished by been in school all his life with degrees not sure what they are all for. He may have done Park and recreation, Sociology, Photography, let see what causes that are offered here in US... Anyway he need to make money now....
Hongera
haaaaaa haaaaaa congratulations for fulfilling your dreams. D for dog is what they call it in Kenya, but for the land of milk education cannot write you off.
Truly, determination knowns no barriers - good spirit for others to follow suit.
But why 5+ degrees my friend? Make money/career now
Kograts bratha.I know many who r doing so well in bizness in kenya scored E n many didn’t even finish high school but they r millionaires.N I know thousands with degree n they r useless or those degree haven’t worked for them.Many diaspora in USA had degree/diplomas but they r cleaning pples bams/truck drivers/watchmen:babysitters/carers/disability workers.So by the end of the day it’s about knowing who ur n where ur going n yr future will b bright.Hii unjinga that u need a degree to succeed in life is pure hogwash.Again kograts bratha
That’s a lie. How many people with degrees are doing what you saying??? And how many drop outs are Millionaires??? We all need to do what we need to do and the rest is nature
Had to do some research and found out ni madegree za public service. That been said I think this guy has a good strategy to run for office back home.
Whoever is negative here clearly is either jealous or a loser. Congratulate the dude and keep it moving.
We all know a D+ in Kenya is equivalent to a C+ in USA😂😂. Reasons are; Kenyan education is tough, poverty, poor environment, lack of motivation/support lead to failure in Kenya.
Let the guy get 100 degrees iko nini. Myself I have 2 and getting the last a medical degree now🤪.
Noooo Ma'am no one is looser here for commenting about this BUT 5 of them for what? And then you come to this white people office and working with them and all you have to show is papers 5 of them and No experience and can't even perform and you are fire and then you blame it on white people and say they hate you BUT the issue will be that person.... One degree is more than enough my people.
I too am a D+ student and yes Kenya system wrote me off BUT in America wow... Came and took myself through college and University BUT l have one degree. 5 is too many and what are they for? Someone help me here and its money not fee. He could now have built a home in kenya or its them people who wrote Kenya off?. Please people you DO NOT 5 degrees only one, a good one like accounting yes accounting and DO your CPA or them nurses too and you are good to go. Do not waste time on academic just to have some bragging right of your achievement with 5 degrees. To me its shows he does not know what he want and that why he is all over in school. By the way l have one and GOD blessed that one and l do not even pass with a good GPA as we call it here BUT working in a one of the BIGGEST TELECOM industry... I feel like l am bragging BUT people GOD is a faithful GOD. So figure out what you want to do and choose a good career that you know will get a job and stick to that one BUT do not be all over with 55 degree NOT VERY Smart, that my own option simple as that.
@Liz Gaki, yes you are bragging but you earned yours and rightfully let the people know what’s up.
One thing we all know about this great country is a degree doesn’t equate success or guarantee that great job. Most Americans are content with one degree or half a degree (Associate). If you notice, most people with multiple degrees are first generation immigrants. We like to stack them up like trophies. Our American counterparts have one or less and are still our bosses. I’m a big advocate of education but I’ve learned you can succeed with a mere certification. Yup, certifications are the way to go. Especially in certain industries like IT. A college degree or 2 will only get you so far.
Very true. I can get a good class 8 student in kenya and I can guarantee you they will pass this multiple choice / extra credit college education. My kids are being given mwakenya by teachers I mean u have to have really low IQ not to graduate in sch here. I'm sure there are plenty here who couldn't pass English 1 without someone else typing papers for them esp madame. That's why they are busy saying congratulations hehe
Come on, let the guy have his thing. Even if he wants 10 degrees, they are his. America taught you one thing :mind your own gadamn business.
Today i was in a happy mood until i came across the words of idiot Ann Mo. Is this man/woman who know live in a rock. A D+ in Kenya is equivalent to a C+ in the USA.Who the fuck told u that ur father to console u after u got ur D+ and then u add niggas r jealous. This human has a rite to earn as many Degrees as he wants but the fact remains he got a D+ n it bothers him n reason why he puts fault on the Kenyan Education System.In Kenya u have to pick up a book n read in order to pass n if ur a ngombe, a D+ will roll on u. U can sugar coat it as much as u like, call it D for determination but the fact is D+ is a failure, nigga failed. The nigga needs to let it go n get himself a nice paying job as the D+ ain't goin nowhere no matter how many Degrees he gets.The only advice u should give him is to go to Kenya run for President n change the D+ into an A if he wins.Idi Amin ur fellow idiot did it why not this nigga. I feel much better after this few words n u Ann Mo, Mo stands for memory overload u need to take ur dumb ass to Church. Fuck off.
@Shaka don’t be so sour. It’s not that serious. @Ann Mo is entitled to her opinion just like you are. Based on your writing skills, you seem like a D- student and a long way from completing your first degree. Let’s focus on that instead of dropping f-bombs on other people’s opinions. Take a creative writing class, it will help you write complete and constructive sentences.
This Shaka person does not have the ability to comment without abusing others.This is a forum open to all.Have you just landed or you think dropping f -bombs is cool .Where exactly are you trying to fit in or what are you trying to prove.People will voice their opinions and they do not have to agree with you .Calling them stupid does not make you the intelligent one.Mwakilishi needs to do a better job of vetting .It appears he /she is sleeping on the job the other day a Kenyan women group based in Texas were airing their dirty laundry and it was starting to look like their Facebook page.Tuheshimiane tafadhali
Shaka, the Zulu:you made me laugh.
Kk and Guest well well well u had to drop ur penny worth of advice. Kk my writing skills r a D+, nigga i keep it real n u can't handle it take ur dumb ass comments to Hell n drag the nigga guest with u. D+ getting idiots trying to think they r smart.once again fuck nigga Kk, Guest, Ann Mo n if ur dumb as this two add ur name hia.Infact read nigga Guests comments on Mwakilishi n u would think a 5 year old is writing. Niggas if u ain't got pubic hair move on am too real for u dummies.
Congrats dude, but D+ in the tough KCSE which most of us sat shows you didn't sastify the examiners. You can't blame the system at all. In the states you found out how to study hard and achieve. What about those who had a B or B_ ? Will they complain they should have achieved A and blame the system? Grow up bana.With all them degrees i expected you to say i was a poor learning student and learned how to study after moving to states.
Congrats brother. UC Berkeley is a reputable institution of higher learning so this is quite the accomplishment. You inspire us all.
Welldone.
Dreams are valid in America