With a dream to better herself and the girls of her community, Mercy Chepkoech Ngetich dedicated herself to excel in education. The eldest of three children of subsistence farmers in rural Olengururone, Kenya, Ngetich studied hard and achieved high grades in primary school, at Mary Mount Secondary School in Nakuru County and then at Kararak University. There she pursued her undergraduate studies in finance.
Through a chance meeting on a plane, Ngetich’s future soared high when she was accepted to Valparaiso University. In her student application, she wrote: “Education in the USA will equip me with knowledge and skills that will enable me to advocate for those enslaved by outdated practices that still persist in many parts of the world and in my village in particular. Since my strength is in Math, an undergraduate degree in finance would lay the necessary groundwork for me to work with business communities and other like-minded groups to improve the lives of others and promote mentoring to girls. My interest in finance is to gain knowledge that will adequately prepare me to face tough challenges in Kenya.”
One of the driving forces in the process of raising the necessary funds and bringing Ngetich to the United States was Joanne Lehmann, a speech teacher in Portage Township Schools and a passionate advocate for education and equality in general.
Lehmann describes the evolution of Ngetich’s journey in her essay, “From Nakuru to V.U.: Mercy Chepkoech Ngetich (Nakuru, Kenya)—Business and Finance major- Valparaiso University”
“Mercy Ngetich’s story actually began in the spring of 2012 when Valparaiso University graduate (’82), Tina Hodges, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro as part of the first Freedom Climb (Operation Mobilization) to bring awareness to human trafficking. Hodges was seated on the plane next to Sister Lucy Borus, a missionary in Milwaukee. Borus was returning to Kenya to visit her family in Nakuru. Borus is the U.S. liaison to advance the mission and vision of the Little Sisters of St. Francis. The two women chatted and exchanges emails."
“Once back in the states they got in contact with each other to discuss women’s issues in Africa. Topics such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and gender biases were discussed. It was then that the dream to bring female scholars from the developing world here to the U.S. to study was birthed. Mercy Ngetich was selected as the first candidate, since she is Sister Lucy’s eldest niece and an excellent student."
“At that point, another V.U. graduate, Joanne Lehmann, became involved. Lehmann and Hodges were roommates at V.U. Together they attended the Freedom Climb U.S. Conference in Colorado Springs in September 2012 with two other friends. While there, they climbed to the summit of Pikes Peak and listened to national and international speakers related to worldwide women’s issues."
“In mid-January 2013, Ngetich began the application process to V.U. In late March, Lehmann received the news that she had been accepted and was offered a financial scholarship as well. One requirement was that an outside organization be in charge of overseeing the funds collected for her education and living expenses here."
“Lehmann took the request to her church. The elders and council members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Portage, Indiana, reviewed Ngetich’s academic record and credentials. They agreed to develop an account that would hold the funding for her financial guarantee. Then the active fundraising began."
“The process of obtaining the documents and funding necessary for an I-20 and subsequent F-1 VISA were not as simple and straight forward as originally hoped. For a student of limited means the hurdles are multiplied. Nevertheless, Lehmann and her cohorts were undeterred and persistent. The office of International Studies at V.U. was consistently helpful and encouraging as well."
“Six women, four of whom are VU grads, have been instrumental in raising funds, so that Ngetich could obtain her F-1 VISA. To date, they have raised over 23K and will continue with fundraising events to procure the rest of the funding."
“We hope that you find this story as compelling as we have."
“In the words of former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, ‘If you educate a woman, you educate a nation. No tool for development is more effective than the empowerment of women."
Once Ngetich arrived in the United States, the members of St. Peter and other interested people threw a “dorm shower” for her. Growing up in Kenya, she had no socks, no shoes other than sandals, no winter coats, no warm blankets. She also needed towels, stationery items and all the other goodies American students take to decorate their dorm rooms.
Lehmann and another St. Peter member, Susan Anderson, made a list of suggestions for items. People could select one of those items, give a gift of their own choosing or give a monetary gift.
The shy Ngetich appeared a bit overwhelmed at first, but with the encouragement of her aunt, Sister Lucy Borus, and numerous “adopted” aunts and grandmothers, she soon enjoyed opening the pretty bags and paper to see what treasures awaited.
While the funds for this year have been secured, an equal amount of money will need to be raised for next year’s tuition and housing. Every cent donated goes directly to this scholarship fund. If you would like to help, please send your donations to:
HOPE FOR MERCY
St. Peter Church
6540 Central Avenue
Portage, IN 4636
(Please write ’Scholarship’ in the memo line)
All donations are tax deductible.