Kilifi, KENYA: 48 form one students in Kilifi have received a scholarship fund of sh. 2.1 million from a Community Based Organization known as KESHO.
The scholarship is meant for the first term only.
Speaking during the issuance of the cheque at KESHO offices on Wednesday, Executive Director Evans Odhiambo said the organization received 649 applications from the entire County but they absorbed 48 only.
“All the students needed support from us but after our process, we managed to get the 48 only,” Odhiambo said.
“This now adds the number of bright and needy students under our sponsorship program to 392 who are in National, Extra County and County Secondary schools,” he added.
The Director said out of the 48 students 36 have been admitted to various National schools in the Country.
He noted that compared to last year, this year the organization received many applications and it is also supporting the highest number of the bright needy students.
“Last year we received 430 application from the County and we sponsored thirty students,” Odhiambo noted.
Zena Salim, the founder of the Organization said 10 out of the 48 students have been sponsored to secure their admission in their respective schools for admission.
“We refer to the ten as some of the students who were at risk of losing their admission in National schools and we took them so that they can secure their chances as we look for funds to support their education,” Zena said.
Mrs. Salim said 645 students have gone through KESHO full scholarship since the organization started in 2008.
She said there is still need for support for vulnerable children whose parents cannot afford the basic needs for the children to join Secondary School.
At the same time, through cooperation with KESHO, the office of the Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu has supported 50 girls through the Affirmative Action Fund.
Affirmative Action Fund Chairman Jonathan Mativo said the girls who have been awarded the scholarship are those with a history of gender-based violence (GBV) and 4 of them have parents living with a disability.
He said the money has already been approved by the National Government and a total of shs2.5million will be disbursed.
The highest school fees being paid is Kshs75, 798 and the lowest is shs40, 453.
