How I scored the first division

With a visual impairment, Erick reaches the first division with five points, being the third best student nationwide in the combination of History, Geography and Language (HGL) subjects.

He is one of 80 students from Mvumi High School in Chamwino District, Dodoma Region. Despite the fact that he was blind, he emerged the third best student in the country among students who sat for arts and language subjects, but second in the boys category who did the same exam.

Speaking with The Guardian recently, Erick attributed his "I know it's thanks to the will of God that I've achieved this goal, but without the support of my teachers, my parents and my classmates. Recently, our reporter knew Erick's exemplary performance at the latest high school graduation exams when it was presented to the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Industry. Professional Training. Joyce Ndalichako at an event at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) last week

The Minister was visibly surprised by the good results, saying, "You have proven to others that physical disability This is not an obstacle to success, let me assure you of the full support of the government at the university and I will buy you a laptop to help you in your studies, "she said. shaking hands with him Erick smiles after hearing the promise of the minister

The Guardian then visited Mvumi High School where the young man decided to return after completing his studies to help visually impaired students as well as assisting teachers.The director, Francis Malugu, while talking about the boy's success, said that his final exam performance was a reflection of his overall performance since 39, he joined the school in first year

He said that Erick was always at the top of his class and never hacked "Erick never feared to bother his teachers to explain a point he did not understand, and despite the fact that he could not see, he was performing all duties like other normal students, "he said.

Malugu said that the boy was making a lot of effort to study, that he spent most of his time encouraging his comrades to obey the rules of school, to work hard and to to place God first

"He got the first division with fourteen points in the national exam" O & # 39; Level and has always been the number one among 120 students, all levels combined ", he added.

Ernest Mbilu, head of the school's blind unit, describes Erick as a respectful boy who is committed to his work and has a strong belief in religious matters.

"He is a model for other students, always telling them the importance of working hard, obeying the He says that apart from studying, Erick is a good musician who has composed several songs of gospel and on different occasions he led the rest of the students to sing at the celebrations.

our reporter continued with the interview, Erick's mobile phone rang systematically and when he was cleared to choosing him, he humbly answered the caller that he would call her later, saying that he had visitors

"This is my friend f After our reporter reached Erick's parents on the phone from the district of Biharamulo, in the Kagera region, they expressed their joy about the performance of their boy, saying that he had shown the way for his brothers and sisters, one of them sits six national exams the pro year chain.

His father, Maxmillian Nsabhi, said that despite the difficult times, they tried to treat Erick's eye disease that he contracted several years ago. "As a family, we are all proud of his performance, keeping in mind that we have gone through difficult times to get treatment in order to regain our sight.", He said, adding that As a first-born, he inspired his brothers and sisters.

The father said of his four children, Erick is the most polite, declaring that as a parent he could not

His mother, Lydia Katabazi, described him as a well-bred child, saying, "I always call him my advisor." He likes people and gives very strong opinions. "

She said that when Erick had the problem with his eyes, the whole family was worried, especially the parents, because the boy constantly wanted to know what had happened. [19659002] "Nothing hurts more than to hear him moaning:" What is the next mummy now that I have become blind? ", Says the mother in a low voice.

She added that even before the handicap, Erick took the first or second position in his elementary school classes.

"I thank God for not having changed, because he was studying very hard even before the problem surprised him," she said.

Erick was born on October 28, 1996 in the district of Biharamulo without any disabilities. He went to primary school in Biharamulo between 2003 and 2009. The problem started in 2009 when he was in class seven and had enrolled in primary national exams.

According to Erick, a small piece of stick hit his eye while in the classroom, but what was then considered a minor incident turned out to be huge while he was starting to experience severe pain in the eyes and his sight is blurred.

According to her mother, they tried to get treatment in different hospitals in the country. Dar es Salaam, but all the medical examinations showed that there was no problem with his eyes. The doctors assured them that he would see clearly in due time.

But that was not the case. The situation prevented him from going to school for a whole year, during which time the parents experienced a serious agony, the young boy demanding to be brought back to the school. school.

At that time, his father was in Dodoma to continue his studies and Thanks to the will of God, he found a teacher at the Buigiri Primary School for the Blind who, after hearing about the school, said that he had been to school. Erick's story convinced the school's management to enroll Erick in studies. It was after being trained to use braille for a few months and master the skills.

As Erick could not easily cope with the studies, they suggested that he start at grade six, but, thankfully, he performed very well, leading the rest of the students and spent the night. final exam, after which he was enrolled at Mvumi High School, the only school with facilities for students with visual impairments.

At school, Erick received the necessary equipment as well the good performance in the national exams. He said that despite the fact that he owned several equipment like Braille machines and computers for the visually impaired, he said that only one, Braille Notes, had played a role in his studies

. sound when teachers taught to replay at one's own time later.

According to the head of the unit, the machine costs about 11 million Sh. Erick is now calling on the good supporters to help him acquire the equipment, saying that it l & # 39; would help a lot to study without serious difficulties at the university.

"My plea is for benefactors to help me buy the equipment, which has" It has been easier to study here and to reach the right ones. results, "said Erick, adding that he planned to study law.

He told this diary that before he was blind, he aspired to study medicine and to to become a nurse, his father and mother, who work as nurses at the Biharamulo District Hospital.