KEF mentors its 118 scholarship beneficiaries

By Obegi Malack

Kenya Education Fund (KEF) held a mentorship programme for the 118 beneficiaries of the 2021 KEF scholarships.

Speaking during the one week workshop held at African Nazarene University, the NGO founder and county director Dominic Muasya said the training was important for the scholars.

He said the beneficiaries were taken through career related topics. They were mentored on life skills, career readiness and skills outside schools systems that will enable them perform well in examinations and in life outside school.

The beneficiaries were mentored by 14 volunteers who are KEF alumni.

KEF offered to pay first year university fees for all the scholars. KEF Alumni Association is also sponsoring two students in high school.

KEF Board Chair Dr Grace Waiharo challenged the students to represent the NGO well by performing well to keep sponsors motivated.

She also encouraged them to join the alumni association to help the less privileged students.

She said there is need for more resources to keep children from poor families in school.

She revealed that they sponsored 160 students out of 4,400 applicants.

John Kilowua, a beneficiary of the scholarship who scored a B- from Loitoktok Boys, says he nearly dropped out of school since he is from a less privileged family.

He revealed that the NGO educated him through secondary school.

In this year’s KCSE, 78% of the sponsored students scored C+ and above and qualified for direct university admission.

KEF sponsors students from families with financial challenges. 3,732 students have gone through the programme since KEF was launched 15 years ago.