69-Year-Old Father of 11 Goes Back to University, Hopes to Graduate with Medical Degree
- One of the students pursuing medicine at Jimma University in Ethiopia is a 69-year-old father of 11 kids
- Tadesse Ghichile went back to school at an advanced age to fulfil a desire he always had since dropping out at an early age when his parents died
- He, somehow, manages to do farming, work at a café, and dedicate time to studying medicine at one of the country's biggest universities
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As the old adage goes; education has no limit, and no one represents that better than an Ethiopian father of 11 who enrolled at a university at the age of 69.
Source: UGC
Tadesse Ghichile was not only praised but also became a social media sensation in his country when he made the bold move.
Lost parents at a tender age
The Nile Post reports that Tadesse was orphaned at a young age and was unable to continue with his formal education after middle school.
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He managed to rejoin in adulthood and is currently a student at Jimma University in western Ethiopia where he is looking to graduate with a medical degree.
To fend for himself as well as raise his fees, Tadesse does small-scale farming as well as works at a café in his village.
Even with the burden of provision, the determined family man somehow managed to study and excel in the national university entrance exam.
Has eyes set on the prize
Tadesse went back to formal school 10 years ago, picking up from where he had dropped out in the eighth grade after he lost his parents.
Even with the setback, the urge to go back to school never left him, only that it took longer because he ended up starting a family and had to shelve the dream for a while.
The good thing about it is that the moment he set his foot back in school, he was determined not to be sidetracked again.
He currently boasts a place in one of Ethiopia's biggest universities and looks forward to better fortunes ahead.
Priscilla Sitienei "Gogo"
In Kenya, Priscilla Sitienei, known affectionately as Gogo, made headline news when she joined Leaders Vision Preparatory school at the age of 90 years.
It was a decision that earned her the title of the oldest primary school student alive and made her a global sensation.
In August last year, she went on an official tour of Paris, France, where she appeared at an event together with President Emmanuel Macron.
Source: YEN.com.gh
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