By Simon Kiongo
Simon Kiongo grew up on a small family farm, and traded vegetables to cover his tuition costs so he could access the education that so many of us take for granted. Now, with the support of his Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship he is doing remarkable work, looking at the impact fertilisers used by farmers have on their crops – and the subsequent carcinogenic impact on those who consume this produce.
Once Simon has completed his scholarship, he will return home to Kenya with the intention of establishing a resource centre to educate and advise farmers – using the new knowledge and skills gained during his time in South Africa – on how to grow crops safely, ultimately transforming the health of many living in agricultural communities and beyond.
“Having been born and brought up in abject poverty, these are the things I could never have experienced were it not for the offer of these scholarships.”