The Unyielding Journey of Patience Teresa Wekesa
Born in rural Bungoma County, Kenya, Patience Teresa Wekesa entered the world with hope and promise, not knowing the barriers she would soon face. Her childhood was marked by unforeseen challenges: after surviving a severe bout of measles in kindergarten, Patience lost sight in one of her eyes. Tragedy struck again when a playground accident left her completely blind before the age of seven.
Abandoned by her overwhelmed mother and left in the care of an elderly woman, Patience’s world could have easily closed in. With her mother gone and efforts to locate her unsuccessful, Patience’s support system was fragile and uncertain. Even her new guardian eventually vanished, leaving Patience on the margins of society—a child with extraordinary potential but few opportunities.
Despite these hardships, Patience possessed a quiet determination. In a community where children with disabilities are too often dismissed and denied education, she refused to give up. She found a guiding light in Madam Rosemary Makhanu, a compassionate teacher who believed in her talents. While resources for blind students were scarce, Madam Rosemary’s unwavering support and creative use of braille tools gave Patience her first steps back into the classroom.
Patience’s perseverance carried her through both primary and high school, even as she faced the threat of exclusion and financial hardship—including an unpaid school balance that still prevents her from collecting her final certificates. Yet her academic success spoke for itself: she earned a place at Mosoriot Teachers Training College to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. With her guardian retired and resources stretched thin, Patience’s dream nearly faded for lack of funding.
That’s where ACCES stepped in. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Patience was given the chance to continue her training and is now in her second year at college. She is excelling—defying the stigmas and barriers that once threatened to define her life.
Patience says, “The path to success is not without its trials. The world often misunderstands the abilities of people like me, and at times, it feels like gainful employment is beyond my reach. But in the face of prejudice, I refuse to give in to despair.”
Orphaned and unsure of her father’s whereabouts, Patience’s journey has been anything but easy. Yet with support from ACCES, she is transforming obstacles into opportunities. Her story is not just one of endurance, but of triumph—showing how education and compassion can light the way for even the most vulnerable.
Patience’s journey continues, thanks to you. Please donate today to help more students like Patience fulfill their potential and change the narrative for young people with disabilities in western Kenya.