A total of 6,695 students from various learning institutions in six locations in Taita Taveta County on Thursday, June 7 officially earned bursary allocations totaling KSh70 million.
The bursary programme selected students from various educational institutions, including secondary schools, colleges, and universities, through a community-elected locational bursary subcommittee.
Those selected also encompass students living with disabilities in primary schools within the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project.
The students are drawn from Mwatate, Mwachabo, Marungu, Kasigau, Mackinnon, and Sagalla locations.
While presiding over the disbursement launch in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, Governor Andrew Mwadime, expressed his gratitude for the support from Wildlife Works, and emphasised the positive impact that the bursary funds will have on the education and prospects of the local students.
“Education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our students, particularly in our County where there is a lack of many industries. It empowers them to broaden their horizons and explore economic opportunities beyond our local community once they have completed their studies,” he pointed out.
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Wildlife Works Community Relations Officer, Joseph Mwakima, underscored the significant impact of the joint efforts of various stakeholders, especially the local community, in preserving the local forest ecosystem.
He observed that because of concerted conservation initiatives, all students in the area have access to bursaries that support their pursuit of quality education.
“This support not only benefits the students but also underscores the positive outcomes of conservation efforts on the entire community,” Mwakima added.
So far, 43,837 students in the project have earned school bursaries in the educational investment programme since 2012, bringing the cumulative disbursed amount to over KSh273 million.
By protecting trees and wildlife in the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project, part of the income made from selling carbon credits is allocated to education bursaries in consultation with the local community.
Wildlife Works has been distributing these funds to support economically disadvantaged and academically gifted students who are unable to pay their school fees, thereby enabling them to continue their education.
Through an innovative model of community governance, the communities of Kasigau establish their priorities for utilising carbon revenue, resulting in sustained investments in scholarships for children, school infrastructure, health, water infrastructure, and other programmes to improve the community’s economy, health, and well-being.
By our reporter
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