The Equity Group Foundation (EGF) has mentored more than 18,000 students sponsored by Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarships on leadership for academic and career success as they advance in their education.
The Group’s Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Sam Gitwekere said 1,207 Form one and two students in Kisii region attached to Equity Branch were trained on values, leadership and careers at Kisii School during the 13th Education and Leadership Congress during the August holiday.
Similar congresses themed “The Power of Purpose Aligning Values and Leadership” was held for 18, 577 Form Three and Four students in the region in April under the Elimu and Wings to Fly sponsorships.
The region covers Kisii, Homabay, Migori, Nyamira and Kisumu counties.
“The Congress offers young scholars opportunity to gain valuable insight into preferred careers and life in general,” Gitwekere said at Kisii School.
He added that the Foundation is committed to social transformation and collective scholarly excellence for upcoming generations.
The Officer said the Congress empower scholars in academic excellence, value-centred living, transformative leadership, community work and gender sensitization pillars.
He noted that Congress aids in unlocking the scholars’ potential, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience and empowering them to shape their destinies by making simple decisions.
“Leadership isn’t about a title, it’s about the positive impact you make. Whether it’s guiding a group project or standing up for what’s right, your actions shape the world around you” Gitwekere said on Saturday.
He was flanked by the Branch manager, Robinson Mirieri, Kisii School Principal, Fred Mogaka the County Director of Education, Philp Chirchir, Kisii Central Sub county Education Officer, Cyrus Chuma and Kitutu Central Deputy County Commissioner, Juma Walela.
The Foundation has offered more than 60,000 scholarships to students from poor families with more than a 97 per cent completion rate, adding, that it will continue to invest in programs to benefit them nationally.
Mirieri commended parents and teachers for supporting the students, saying, the Equity Group Foundation will continue to partner to support children from poor families to access secondary and university education to exploit their potential.
“I appeal to students to work hard and embrace discipline to excel in their education, improve their lives and be role models to others,” Mirieri said.Walela appealed to the learners shun drug abuse, illicit brew, arson and negative peer influences which will derail their education, lose the scholarships, drop out of schools, universities and suffer.
He warned that students who engage in crime will be handed over to security officers, prosecuted and serves as a lesson to deter others.
The DCC, who represented County Commissioner, Tom Anjere urged students report to relevant authorities colleagues who abuse drugs, alcohol, burn schools or are lesbians or gay for action to be taken against them.
Chirchir said the leadership and mentorship skills imparted to the students prepared them take up leadership posts and mentor other exploit their potentials, adding the government has sponsored 43,000 learners from impoverished families.
“I laud the Equity Group Foundation for complementing the government’s effort in promoting education and we will continue partnering with the private sector to foster education” Chirchir noted.
Chuma urged students to also embrace sporting activities, emphasizing, learners who excel in them are highly paid compared in the formal sector.
Mogaka noted the scholarship program has revolutionized education for children from impoverished families and implored them take advantage of the mentorship program to horn their leadership skills.
By Emmanuel Gwakoi
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