By Eric Omwombo
More than 70 bright and needy children from Siaya County on Wednesday received full sponsorship amounting to KES 11 Million.
Kenya Commercial Bank Siaya Branch and Alego-Usonga National Government Constituency Development Fund have offered full scholarships to 73 bright and needy students from impoverished families.
ADVERTISEMENTKCB Bank and NG-CDF released KES 7.9 million and KES 3.1 Million respectively.
ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENTSThe students who were armed with calling letters from National, extra-County and County schools had scored marks ranging from 350 to 370 in KCPE .
The awarded scholarships will cater for both tuition and upkeep for the beneficiaries.
KCB Bondo Branch Manager Peterson Morara said the Bank was offering full scholarship to 19 students from Siaya County though the KCB Education Foundation. So far the foundation has provided support to 1000 students countrywide.
“We had a big list of applicants with 370 marks from Siaya but ended up with 19 who met our criteria and shortlisted according to allocated funds,’ said Morara adding that the selected students will benefit from a four-year scholarship and if they performed well the support will extend to university.
“We are happy today as we set off 19 students to face their academic futures and for sure, KCB bank is transforming communities through the initiative,” said Morara.
Morara said that alongside the scholarship, they will offer a concurrent mentorship programme whenever the students close schools starting April this year.
“During half-term, they will meet with representatives of the bank where they will be provided appropriate guidance. In return we expect the beneficiaries to work extra hard and post impressive results for the bank to realize the value for their money.”
Morara spoke while issuing a dummy cheque worth KES 7.9 million to students in Siaya town.
“Once they are done with education and get employed, they should reciprocate the gesture to the less fortunate in the society including their siblings,” he added.
Speaking separately, Alego-Usonga NG-CDF funds Manager Amos Apollo said of the KES 30 million disbursed to their constituency, KES 3 million was allocated as an immediate response to the bursary needs of 54 students from poor backgrounds.
“We had a discussion with the area MP Samuel Atandi and reached an agreement to release KES 3 million for bursary and left balance to facilitate other development projects,”said Apollo.
“We ended up selecting genuine cases and had a list of 54 students though the list had 130 applicants,” he added
This scholarship is about ensuring that no bright and needy child is denied education. the initiative aims at giving the deserving students an opportunity to continue with their Education.
Apollo while Speaking to students and their guardians at the NG-CDF grounds said the selection was meticulous with Community leaders, and local administrators playing a crucial role in identifying deserving candidates.
“NG-CDF bursary programme is a cornerstone of the government efforts to bridge Education gap between different socio-economic groups,” said Apollo
“It has raised hopes for students from impoverished families. We are committed to seeing that we support families across the constituency and grow the next crop of future leaders,” he added.
The beneficiaries were happy with the scholarships saying their dreams were now revived.
Led by Briton Omondi a pupil from Karapul Primary School who scored 394 but had lost hope of continuing with education owing to inability of the parents. When he saw a team from KCB visiting his home, he held payers that were ultimately answered.
“Above all, I thank God for securing a chance for me, for sure the Lord does not forget a person with faith,’ said a smiling Omondi.
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