Education For Africa — since 2009
Introduction
The level of education in Kenya is still very low. Until recently (2003), parents had to pay school fees for their children from basic school to university. The new government which came to power in 2003 tried to initiate free primary school for all. This program is, however, hampered by a lack of funds, and thus many students — especially from very poor families — cannot even complete their primary education. In many cases, students from such families drop out of school and become involved in child labour in order to support themselves or their families.
Even where children can attend basic school, the future of most bright students remains bleak as they are forced to drop out of high school due to poverty. The main objective of this project is therefore to support mainly high-school education for bright students from poor families in Kenyan slums and other related areas. In Nairobi alone there are five million inhabitants, with more than half living in absolute poverty or on less than 2 USD a day.
Kenyan secondary education system
High-school education in Kenya is not compulsory and all students must pay fees. The available government secondary schools are not enough, which has led to an increased number of private and church-run schools. Every year, 30% of bright students from poor families drop out of school due to lack of school fees. Without high-school education, these youths cannot fit into most available employment opportunities.
The high-school program in Kenya lasts four years, with three semesters each year (January–April, May–August and September–November). Successful completion leads to the Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education.
Fees for high-school education
School fees vary depending on whether the school is run by the government, privately or by a church, and whether it is a boarding or day school. In general, fees range from 45,000–60,000 Kenyan shillings ($395–530) per year, paid in three instalments at the beginning of every semester.
The Czechoslovak Hussite Church education support
Apart from the Czech government offering three scholarships every year to Kenyan students to study in the Czech Republic, the Czechoslovak Hussite Church also facilitated the sponsorship of Kenyan students in the Czech Republic. Among the beneficiaries are Dr. Phanuel Osweto and Eng. Nixon Lenaiyara, who founded the project “Africa for Africa”. The objective of the project is to give back to the community by identifying needy students who can be supported to change their lives and those of their families and communities.
The current education support project
Building on the success of the above programs, we have developed an education support project to extend this vital support to more students in Kenya. The project supports concrete students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to finish their high-school education due to poverty. Detailed conditions for selecting students and communicating with sponsors are described on the Scholarship page.
Students Currently Supported
This project was launched in May 2009. Since then, we have supported students in their education at secondary schools, vocational institutions, colleges, and universities. Below is the list of 65 students, including their schools, educational status, fields of study, and current occupations.
- Hilda Wakesho Jeansy Secondary School – Voi; Kenya Medical Training College – expected to graduate in 2027
Expected to complete her studies in 2027 - Mary Juma Kinyui Girls High School – Tala; completed secondary and university education
Education; secondary school teacher - Rose Leparashao St. Theresa Girls’ School – Samburu; completed secondary and university education
Nutrition; works in the field of nutrition - Tabitha Shisia Komothai Girls Technical High School – Ruiru; completed secondary and university education
Finance and Business; works in accounting - Theresia Itumo Mutindi Masinga Girls’ School – Masinga; completed secondary and university education
Became a nun - Margaret Opondo Pangani Girls’ School – Nairobi; completed secondary and university education
Education; primary school teacher - Pauline Mutuku St. Martin’s Girls Secondary School – Nairobi; completed secondary and university education
Completed her education - Ann Munyoki St. Mary’s School Viwandani – Nairobi; completed secondary education and professional nursing training
Nursing; works as a nurse - Joan Wanyama Kibingei Friends Secondary School – Kimilili; completed secondary and university education
Education; secondary school teacher - Angeline Ochieng Kayole South Secondary School – Nairobi; completed secondary education and subsequently studied IT
Logistics; works in logistics - Mercy Nekesa Busiada Girls Secondary School – Butere; completed secondary and university education
Education; secondary school teacher - Faith Mue St. Mary’s Viwandani Secondary School – Nairobi; completed secondary education and subsequently took accounting courses
Accounting; works in accounting - Daniel Ngui Kasikeu Boys High School – Sultan Hamud; completed secondary and university education
IT; works in the IT field - Emmanuel Were Highway Secondary School – Nairobi; completed secondary education
Auto mechanics; works as an auto mechanic - Leonard Ogutu University of Nairobi; completed secondary and university education
Economics; works in the financial sector - Sylvester Ndori Uhuru Secondary School – Nairobi; completed secondary and university education
Education; college lecturer - Gabriel Idd Jaribuni Secondary School; completed secondary and university education
IT; works in the IT field - Lawrence Ochungo St. Mary’s Viwandani Secondary School; completed secondary and university education
Natural Sciences; works as a teacher - Vivian Makungu Kwisero Girls’ Secondary School; completed secondary and university education
Education; secondary school teacher - Blessing Ingaisa ACK Nairobi – Nairobi; completed secondary school in 2022 and subsequently studied at Mount Kenya University
IT; completed IT studies in 2026 - Dolphine Makasa St. Mary’s Viwandani Secondary School – Nairobi; did not complete her studies
Did not complete her studies - Wyckliffe Odhiambo University of Nairobi; completed secondary and university education
Education; secondary school teacher - Jessica Nasimiyu St. Mary’s Viwandani Secondary School – Nairobi; completed secondary education and subsequently completed an IT course
IT; works in IT - Michael Okinyi The Vijito School – Nairobi; completed secondary education
Currently working - Noella Muzirange Senior Chief Koinange Girls School – Karuri; completed secondary and university education
Diplomacy; works in diplomacy - Patrick Muthama Kasikeu Secondary School – Makueni; completed secondary and university education
Completed his education - Martin Wanza Kasikeu Secondary School – Makueni; completed secondary and university education
IT; works in the IT field - Vincent Mudome Kenya Utalii College – Nairobi; completed higher education
Hospitality and IT; works in IT- Canada - Slyvanus Oinga Langata High School – Nairobi; completed secondary education and additional courses
Graphic Design and IT; works in IT - Benadict Isiaho Kanga High School – Rongo; completed secondary education and is currently studying at university
Expected to complete his studies according to the current study programme - Gift Kithii The Vijito School – Nairobi; completed secondary education and IT courses
IT; works in IT - Samson Wasonga Kenya Medical Training College; completed secondary education and professional medical training
Medicine; works in the medical field - Justine Anyango Nyabera Girls Secondary School – Nyabera; completed secondary education
Hairdressing; works as a hairdresser - George Okuku Kisumu Polytechnic – Kisumu; completed diploma studies
Currently works as a prison warder - Peter Wainaina Kasikeu High School – completed secondary education in 2021; Thika Technical College – completed his diploma in 2024
Automotive Mechanics; works as an auto mechanic - Benjamin Muindi Kasikeu High School; did not complete his studies
Did not complete his studies - Brenda Noti Jomo Kenyatta High School – Nakuru; completed secondary education in 2022
Aviation; works in the aviation sector - Magdalena Mwikali Thitani Secondary School; completed secondary education in 2022
Completed secondary education - Alice Lesirma Kisima Girls High School – Samburu; completed secondary education in 2022; Kenya School of Accountancy – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2026 - Aureline Marrryl Nganga Completed secondary education in 2022; Kabete Technical Institute – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2026 - Agnes Nabiki Lekiliyo Completed secondary education in 2018; Kenya Medical Training College
Medicine; works in the medical field - Geofrey Odhiambo Completed secondary education in 2022; Meru University – currently studying
Expected to complete his studies in 2027 - Leaduma Lazaro Maralal High School; completed secondary education in 2022
Completed secondary education - Pamela Lendorop St. Theresa High School – Samburu; completed secondary education in 2022
Completed secondary education - Ibrahim Otieno Completed secondary education in 2023; Masinde Muliro University – currently studying
Expected to complete his studies in 2028 - Aisha Odoyo Completed secondary education in 2023; Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2028 - Paul Otieno PCEA Institute – currently studying
Expected to complete his studies in 2027 - Winnie Akola Masinde Muliro University; completed her studies in 2024
Education; secondary school teacher - Brenda Awuor St. Gabriel Girls – Gwassi; did not complete her studies
Did not complete her studies - Sandra Mutinda Ngiya Girls – Siaya; completed secondary education in 2024
Completed secondary education - Joyce Masha Zawadi Busitema University – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2026 - John Lubanga Zetech University – Nairobi – currently studying Software Engineering
Expected to complete his studies in 2030 - Celestine Awuor Tom Sindo Girls; completed secondary education in 2025
Completed secondary education - Paula Nabwire Kenyatta University – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2029 - Olivia Juma Pumwani Medical College; completed her studies in 2024
General Nursing; Midwifery nurse - Collins Odhiambo Tonga Secondary School; completed secondary education in 2026
Completed secondary education - Elinah Malembo Matuu Girls – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2027 - Miriam Mwende Kitengela Training College; completed a Hairdressing Course in 2025
Currently works as a Cosmetician - Lucy Atanga Kitengela Training College; completed a Hairdressing Course in 2025
Currently works as a Cosmetician - Veronica Atieno Kitengela Training College; completed a Hairdressing Course in 2025
Curerently works in Hairdressing - Eunice Odundo Tom Mboya University – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2028 - Celestine Ndumbu Mwakitawa Secondary School – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2027 - Dolphin Akinyi St. Charles Wiga Secondary School – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2026 - Rachel Nyambura The Vijito School – currently studying
Expected to complete her studies in 2026 - Wycliffe Omondi Mbita Senior High School – currently studying
Expected to complete his studies in 2028