Graduate pictured kneeling at market says he was raised by grandmum after parents abandoned him
- Edward Raddy Kasenge said his father and mother abandoned him when he was just one-year-old
- That was when his two grandmothers stepped in to take care of him and saw him through his entire education
- One of the grandmothers worked as a food staff vendor at Kitunzi market in Lunguja, Uganda, while the other sold charcoal
- The grandmothers would often borrow money from Microfinance institutions to raise his school fees
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Edward Raddy Kasenge was on Tuesday, May 25, showered with praises for his humility across the continent after photos of him kneeling in front of his grandmother at the market went viral.
Source: Facebook
Kasenge had just graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Human Resource Management and Personnel Administration, General.
Speaking to NTV Uganda on Friday, May 28, Kasenge disclosed he just wanted to appreciate his grandmothers' commitment and sacrifices to ensure he finished school.
"In a special way, allow me to congratulate the ladies behind my academic journey and success," he captioned photos of him and his grandmother in the market.
"Thanks a lot for standing by my side every time I needed you. May God bless you so much," he added.
The graduate further revealed he was abandoned by his mother and father when he was only one year old.
His two grandmothers then took the responsibility of taking care of him but things were not easy for them. They passed through a lot.
The grandmothers were forced to borrow money from different microfinance to raise his school fees as one is a food staff vendor at Kitunzi market in Lunguja while another one sells charcoal.
According to him, they never gave up even when Kasenge failed twice; in O level, he was supposed to repeat senior two but was later promoted after the director learnt of his background.
He again failed senior six and was asked to join a technical school, but he refused because his only dream was to join Makerere University.
The grandmothers gave him a second chance; he tried and passed with flying colours.
Kasenge is not only grateful to his grandmothers but everyone else who stepped in one way or the other just to make sure he had a comfortable life.
"There are no words that can explain how happy I am for the love my people you have showered me even in the difficult times," he captioned in other photos.
"You have continuously supported me financially and emotionally. You have been the shoulder when I need you...thank you so much, family, for the love and care," added Kasenge.
The photos that went viral showed Kasenge still donned in a graduation gown, went to the marketplace and knelt before his grandmother as a sign of appreciation.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
Nathaniel Crabbe (Human-Interest editor) Nathaniel Crabbe is a journalist and editor with a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, where he graduated in 2015. He earned his master's from UPSA in December 2023. Before becoming an editor/writer of political/entertainment and human interest stories at Asaase Radio, Crabbe was a news reporter at TV3 Ghana. With experience spanning over ten years, he now works at YEN.com.gh as a human interest editor. You can reach him via nathaniel.crabbe@yen.com.gh.
Aba Afful (Copyeditor) Maame Aba serves as a copy editor at YEN.com.gh. She naturally enjoys working with words and has an eye for quality content. She has a keen interest in cyberspace and wants to see YEN.com.gh produce more impactful, thought-provoking, and error-free content. Aba has five years of experience as a content writer, blogger, author, and proofreader. She graduated from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 2017. She joined the team in 2021.
