By Erick Nyayiera
A charitable organization known as John Wilson Foundation (JOWI-F) in collaboration with the Kenya Orphans and Uganda Project (KOFUP) continues to put a smile on the underprivileged youths who risk missing out of education due to prevailing poverty. The organizations issued cheques worth Sh523,000 to aid education training of over 10 students from poor families drawn from Rarieda Sub-county.
JOWI-F is a child-focused organization founded in 2015 and registered as a CBO in Rarieda Sub- County that provides care and support to orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (OVCs) including children living with HIV.
Wilfred Owuor, a trustee of JOWI-F noted that they aim to support access to Early Childhood Development (ECDE) and other formal education opportunities in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions.
“Cumulatively since 2015, the foundation has supported 75 needy children and currently has a total of 63 beneficiaries under Education Sponsorship Program comprising of 14 students in Universities and Colleges, 31 students in Secondary Schools and 18 learners in Primary Schools,” he disclosed.
JOWI-F according to Owuor strives to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children needs are comprehensively addressed by promoting education as a means to fighting poverty and for a better future.
“We are committed to improving access to quality education, health care and economic empowerment for vulnerable children and underserved communities through provision of broad services and key interventions which include; Education and life skills, food security and nutrition, social protection, solution for better health, household economic strengthening, psychological support among other interventions,” the trustee clarified.
He made the remarks at Rarieda Training and Resource Centre (R.T.R.C) where he also regretted that the 100% transition policy had seen more students join polytechnics but risk dropping out due to lack of school fees.
Wilfred Owuor is also the Executive Director of Rafiki Wa Maendeleo Trust, the umbrella body where Rarieda Training and Resource Centre is hosted to steer the education training and empowerment objective of the Trust.
Rarieda Training and Resource Centre principal Alice Otieno thanked the JOWI-F organization for the good gesture noting that the ravages of Corona pandemic has seen more students opt out of training due to lack of funds to continue their training at the school. She said the 523,000 shillings fees support will clear their outstanding fees arrears and also sponsor them to higher Grades in their various course disciplines.
“As a Training institute we can’t thank JOWI-F enough for coming to the rescue of the students. The rural setting where we operate from has no meaningful sources of economic activities hence our trainees have to struggle to get resources to enable them stay in classes. Poverty has embedded itself deeply into our villages therefore the support from well-wishers make us able to help impart skills to our trainees which will help them also change the community in development once they complete their technical courses,” she appreciated.
The Principal on that note noted that it was high time the government and other state actors considered giving support to the private tertiary institutions to be able to accord equal opportunities to all trainees since they will all be instrumental in developing the nation in line with meeting the industrialization goal as envisaged in the Vision 2030.
Beneficiaries Diana Adhiambo (Hairdressing and Beauty therapy), Denis Obara (Plumbing and pipe fitting) and Diana Adhiambo among other beneficiaries appreciated the support of JOWI Foundation noting that they are now sure to complete their studies and be able to give back to the society once they begin working.
