At least 10 students in Busia County from different Universities have benefitted from a scholarship from the Kenya Community Development Foundation in partnership with Dhamira Moja CBO that will see their school fees being fully paid.
Speaking during the issuing of the scholarship in Busia town on Monday, Dhamira moja CBO Executive Director Sarah Martha said the scholarship was targeting the bright but needy students to give them an opportunity to achieve their dream.
“We have given scholarships to 10 bright but needy students cutting across the county. The scholarship is covering the tuition fee at the tertiary institutions in which today, students have received Sh65, 000 each. We are also working on a program that will see them receive other cash for upkeep and other uses while in school” she said.
Martha noted that poverty has denied many students an opportunity to continue with their studies and the scholarship is giving them another chance.
“The scholarship is giving them an opportunity to further their studies as some of them have been at home due to lack of school fees. We are here to ensure that they get another opportunity to advance in their education which will make them change the cycle in their community.”
She indicated that their scholarship will go beyond education as they will also help the beneficiaries through linking them with job opportunities.
“The uniqueness of this scholarship is that we are walking the journey with the scholars. When they are out of school anytime, they will be coming to Dhamira moja to offer community services. They will be able to learn skills in our social enterprise where they will be trained and acquire different skills according to their field of studies. We will be able to link them to other opportunities including attachments, internships and job opportunities, “she said.
Furthermore the director stated that the scholarship will be renewed every year based on the performance and the discipline of the beneficiary.
“Since 2009, we have been investing much in education by supporting at least 10 students in high school in terms of scholarship. Last year we had our student topping at Nambale high school with an A-. We have also been sponsoring teen mothers to learn technical skills at various vocational centers in the county” she said.
Parents to the beneficiaries led by Gabriel Makokha expressed their pleasure for the opportunity stating that paying fee has been a challenge.
“My child is at University of Nairobi in second year but fees have been a challenge to me. Many times, she has failed to do some examinations due to failure to clear the fees. This is an opportunity that I have been waiting for long and I appreciate our sponsors for giving our children a change and even lowering that burden of fees from us” he said
Juliet Wamalwa, another parent said she has been looking for a sponsor to help her son for a long time without getting.
“My urge to those who have benefitted with this scholarship is that when in school, work hard and come out when you have excelled well. I have really struggled to ensure the fee is cleared at times not managing but the breakthrough has come, she said
Jordan Masinde, a student from Tom Mboya University studying Information Technology said the scholarship will enable them to concentrate in their academics.
“The scholarship has given us a chance to go and study in our institutions without financial difficulties. I am going to prove myself that I am worth the scholarship so that thereafter I will be able to come and help the community, ‘he said
Jemimah Amoit, another beneficiary from Alupe University pursuing a course in Medical Laboratory Science said the school fees burden has been lifted.
“We have been facing a lot of pressure during the examination period but for now that will be an issue of the past. For all who are going through the same challenges, I will urge them whenever they come through these applications, let them try to apply so that they can get the opportunity” she said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
