Foundation offers Scholarship to Learners unable to join secondary school
As the Kenyan government strives towards achieving 100% transition from primary to secondary school, there are still thousands of learners who are unable to continue their education due to financial constraints.
However, thanks to the Affecto Foundation and its Watoto Wasome program, 31 learners who missed joining secondary school three weeks ago have been given the opportunity to pursue their education through scholarships.
The team leader and founder of Affecto Foundation, Ndung’u Nyoro, explained that the learners who qualified for the scholarship were selected from across the country after applying and undergoing a thorough vetting process to ensure they deserve the support.
Nyoro also noted that many bright children who excel in their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams end up living hopeless lives due to poverty.
This is where the Watoto Wasome program comes in, having supported 150 learners through high school education over the past six years, with 50 of them transitioning to various universities across the country.
One of the beneficiaries, Rosalia Nekesa from Bungoma County, scored 364 marks in her KCPE exams and was admitted to St Mary’s Kibabii Girls’ Secondary School.
However, she was sent home a few days after reporting to school since she had only paid KES 2,000, with the hope of getting more money to pay the rest of the school fees.
Her grandfather, who accompanied her to the Affecto Foundation offices in Ruiru, had to seek additional aid to enable her to continue her education.
Another beneficiary, Joy Wanjiru from Kayole in Nairobi, scored 408 marks and will be joining St Teresa Mbooni Girls’ Secondary School after receiving the scholarship.
Her mother, who preaches in matatus, was overjoyed that her third-born daughter qualified for the scholarship.
The story of Abdulahi Mohamed and his wife Habiba Maalim, from Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobi, is also one of hope. Their two children did their KCPE exams last year, but due to poverty, they could not afford to take their son and daughter to the schools of their choice.
However, their son Mohamed Abdulahi received the scholarship and was able to join Form One, and now, through Affecto Foundation, his sister Iftar Abdulahi, who scored 389 marks, will be joining St Teresa Girls’ Secondary School in Kapenguria.
Derrick Ouma, who scored 410 marks, also faced financial constraints that prevented him from joining Maranda Boys High School to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot.
However, the Watoto Wasome program has given him a second chance to pursue his ambitions. All the 31 learners will be joining school next week after being issued with bank cheques.
The Affecto Foundation’s initiative is commendable and provides hope for bright students who are unable to pursue their education due to financial constraints.
The foundation’s commitment to identifying deserving learners and providing them with the necessary support to continue their education is a significant step towards achieving universal access to education.
It is crucial for more organizations and individuals to support initiatives such as these to ensure that no child is left behind due to poverty.
Foundation offers Scholarship to Learners unable to join secondary school
