"It is Never Easy Breaking Barriers to Win Awards in the US," Baringo Athlete Narrates His Journey

Mathias Cheboi, the fifth born in a family of eight from Koiboware, Soi ward in Baringo North Constituency in Baringo County, recalls the hurdles he had to go through while studying.

Cheboi, who was born and raised in Koiboware, went to Koiboware Primary School and later proceeded to Nakuru High School for his Secondary School Education.

However, his educational journey was not smooth due to lack of school fees. This forced him to repeat class 8 in 2009, despite him being the best in his class, attaining 363 marks.

This time, he changed his name from Allan to Mathias. The 2010 KCPE had him score 377 marks, which got him a place at Nakuru High School. His school fees were paid by the then Baringo North MP and the current Baringo County Senator Hon. William Cheptumo.

 “Our Baringo North MP then and current Baringo County senator, awarded the 10 best performers in the constituency. I was among the 5 best boys and received Kshs. 20,000 that was paid directly to the school.”

Securing a place at the school was not a done deal since he still struggled with school fees despite him performing well.

“I joined Nakuru High School and worked hard from day one, ending the first term with a strong grade of A plain. I reported the second term about two weeks late and without any fees."

Luckily, the Red Rubber Ball Foundation (RRBF) awarded Mathias a scholarship, which cleared the accrued arrears, as well as covering the remaining period of his high school.

 “The very day I was to be sent home, the Red Rubber Ball Foundation (RRBF) awarded me a scholarship that not only cleared the accrued arrears, but also covered the remaining period of my high school," narrated Cheboi.

The scholarship managed to push his educational level and was able to clear his secondary school education, managing to score grade of A- in K.C.S.E. Mathias got admitted to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in 2015.

He however deferred his first year due to school fees.

Seeking an alternative path, Mathias Cheboi joined the athletic training camp in Kaptagat in Eldoret, aiming for a scholarship in the U.S.A. Besides working hard in the camp, Cheboi also sought some other ways of getting income.

“ Besides my daily commitment to running, I tried contributing to community development occasionally and whenever possible, I participated regularly in opinion writing on the Nation newspaper," Cheboi recalls.

Things in the training camp did not work out and Cheboi had to quit because of financial constraints.

“After 2 years of training, things did not work out, mainly due to serious financial constraints. Training camp was a self-sponsored affair and all expenses had to be paid out of pocket. I prioritized my mental health and took a break indefinitely," he said.

Cheboi proceeded to Kericho and took a job as a non-TSC teacher in a private high school owned by a friend. He also sought casual labor during the weekends including building and construction. He had to collect enough money, to report to school a few months later.

He reported back to school in September 2017. He however deferred the semester for the third time and went back to the training camp in Eldoret. Cheboi secured a scholarship at Grambling State University of Louisiana in U.SA after 10 months of continuous training.

“I secured an athletic scholarship at Grambling State University of Louisiana, USA, to pursue Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). That was after an attempt to join the Lethbridge College in Canada was denied by the Canadian embassy."

Cheboi left for the USA and in the first semester, became the champion in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) cross-country after winning the men’s 8km race plus the MVP award. He continued winning several races in the subsequent years.

He admits that balancing between education and athletics is not easy.

“I must say balancing the two is not for the faint-hearted. It requires the greatest level of discipline, diligence, resilience, and firm believe in God. The life of a student-athlete is tough and complex, especially when taking demanding majors like nursing."

Even though the nursing profession seemed harder for him, he had to work harder.

“ Hospital-based clinical practice and preceptorship came into play. The former required a 12-hour shift every week while the latter demanded 90 clinical hours to be completed within a period of 4 weeks – all running concurrently with class activities and daily track practice."

In May 2023, Cheboi was awarded three prestigious awards during the Grambling State University awards ceremony: The Most Inspirational Track & Field Athlete, Most Valuable Athlete, and the Letterman award.

Cheboi won the 10000m and 5000m and placed second in both 3000m steeplechase and 1500m in the 2023 Track and Field Championships in Praire View, Texas.

 May 12, 2023, Cheboi graduated with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and was also among the top performers in the nursing class of 2023. He considers his journey a story of hope and resilience.

“With evident signs of success in future notwithstanding, my story mirrors the true outcome of hard work, persistence, perseverance, and undying hope,” said Cheboi.

Living through intermittent disruption of schooling occasioned by bandits, Cheboi hopes that things will get better in the area for school going children.

“We survived the banditry attack, but never forgot the narrow escape. It therefore pains my heart that the gun-totters have continued to encroach with resurgence to kill, disrupt education, talent development, and suppress dreams for young and innocent children. Something must be done to intervene.”