The story of Jackline Ntinyari Kithinji is one full of determination and hard work. These attributes brought returns during the University’s 6th graduation ceremony where she was conferred with First Class Honors in Social Work in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Born in Buri location, Naari Sub-location, Kironya village in the larger Meru County to the late Mzee Justus Kithinji Rukaria and the late Mama Julia Makandi Matiri she had an opportunity of moving around with her father which saw her being admitted to Mbagathi Road Primary School in Nairobi County where she did her K.C.P.E. then proceeded to Tigoi Girls High School in Vihiga County and later Gikurune Girls in Meru County where she did her K.C.S.E.
Being a mother of three boys, a wife, an employee and a student meant that Jackline’s in-tray was full with no single second left to waste. She knew she had to give in 100% since the balancing act required utmost discipline and dedication. The journey wasn’t easy as she had all these demands on her neck but she wasn’t going to allow them slow her determination.
She recalls a point in her academic life when she was almost giving up due to enormous pressure. But with prayers and a strong support system from her husband, children, siblings, friends and the church she was able to come out stronger and achieve the success of this proportion. She is also grateful to the faculty for providing an enabling environment for learners to enjoy quality services allowing a proper grounding of her Social Work programme. She thanks her former supervisor and her course mates who supported her journey as a student by pushing her limits to research and present quality work.
Jackline’s message to the continuing students is to ensure they focus on the main goal that brought them to the University and that is academics. They should be motivated to spend a larger portion of their time researching more so that they may enrich the knowledge a lecturer has given in the lecture halls. As a professional counsellor she impresses on the student population to shun drugs and other substances that may derail their academic journey and also have effects on their health and social being.
She looks forward to continuing with her academic pursuit and achieve the highest honors possible.
