What was a far-off dream for 12-year-old Kyle Joseph became a reality when he found out that he topped his region in the 2009 National Grade Six Assess-ment (NGSA).
Joseph wrote the NGSA at the Aishalton Primary School and scored 557 marks which placed him seventeenth in the top one percent in the country overall and the top student for Region Nine.
Speaking to Stabroek News Joseph, with his mother by his side, said that he was prepared for the exam although it was hard. Joseph who admitted to nerves before going into the examination said he was not “reaching this far” and when the results came out, “I felt wonderful and excited. I was overjoyed.”
Joseph’s mom, Kateri Joseph, was proud of her son’s achievements and she said, “I am glad.
“His achievement will inspire our people here to work hard.” Kateri pointed out that despite all the challenges that her son faced she was “really satisfied… it just goes to show that nothing is impossible. Everything comes with hard work and dedication.”
While Joseph had to overcome the challenge of being away form his mom, not having access to news and lack of electricity, the team effort of his mother and teachers gave him the confidence to work hard. “I would like to thank my teachers at Graham’s Primary where I spent most of my years– Ms Dawn Jarvis, Ms Ertens, Tr. Anthony James my Grade Six teacher here at Aishalton Primary not forgetting my head teacher Ms Clara Boston who always believed in me,” the young Joseph said.
For Joseph attending Queen’s College was but a far away dream which has now come true and the only down side to all of it is, Joseph said, leaving a peaceful home and all his family and friends. “My wish is for my mom and brother to be with me,” he said.
Nonetheless, he said he is keeping a positive outlook for he realises, “Going there will give me a lot more opportunities which I may not get again.” He wants to become a doctor and is planning to complete science subjects at his dream school.
Joseph’s mom who is a teacher said of her son’s intentions, “I know he is going to try his best out there. He has the potential.”
Kyle Joseph lives in a village that does not have telephones and limited electricity. Communication with the rest of the country is done via the internet.
