Story of Her Life: 42 Year-Old Security Guard Graduates With Finance Degree

What does it mean to persevere?

Perseverance — sometimes called “grit” — is the great leveler. You don’t have to be the wealthiest, have the most friends, or be the smartest kid in the class; if you persevere, you can reach your goals.

You can help inspire perseverance by allowing kids to experience failure — in a safe, supported environment.

Think of that time you needed to recover from a setback. You thought your way through a challenge, tried again, and eventually developed grit.

Milkah Mwasi can attest to how perseverance and grit has impacted her life. She is happy about two things in life, one is that she graduated with a Second Class Upper in Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), and two that she is a testament to grit and perseverance.

The 42-year-old worked as a security guard to finance her education and she was elated at having completed her education, over two decades after she sat her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 1994.

At the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) graduation on Tuesday, June 28, Milkah was all smiles, spreading her gown like a reborn eagle that has managed to shed its beak, talons and feathers, rearing to journey a new phase in life.

“I thank God for graduating at the age of 42 years. I am a (Certified Public Accountant) CPA finalist too,” the mother of three shared in an interview withKenyans.co.ke on Thursday, June 30.

However, her new journey comes with new demands, as the ex-G4S security guard is grappling to find a new job that can match her skill set. She is determined beyond all odds to prove her value and show the world her new strength and prowess. Milkah says that she has been tried and tested.

“Currently, I’m jobless, life is getting harder and harder every day. I’m a mother of three,” Milkah told Kenyans.co.ke. “Coming from humble family background, it’s under God’s grace that I have made it.

“Kindly assist me to land any opportunity in the finance or accounting department. Even paid internships. I’ve been trying to get a job in my career but all has been in vain,” she added on her LinkedIn page.

Her post attracted over 360 comments with 3,000 likes. A majority congratulated her on her dedication, hoping her efforts would finally be rewarded.

In a past interview with Kenyans.co.ke on March 11, 2022, Milkah narrated how she struggled to study, dropped out of school occasionally and even worked as a house help to make ends meet.

“I wasn’t paid well (househelp job) and I quit. Life was hard but I still did not want to give up and go home. I worked for some agencies and was lucky enough to get a job at G4S where I worked for nearly 15 years. “I enrolled for night classes at the Vision Institute of Professionals, Mombasa Campus in 2013 and graduated with a certificate in Certified Public Accounts (CPA), then joined the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Mombasa Campus for a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance option) in 2018.”

Milkah’s story of perseverance and grit teaches us that…

Don’t let challenges or circumstances discourage you from having dreams, ambitions or goals. You are allowed to dream big and want more in life. Start that business! Chase that career or buy that dream house! Whatever it so, go ahead and do it!