Education For Africa

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 we support

The project started in May 2009 and since then we have supported the students listed below, together with the schools they attend or attended.

• Hilda Wakesho Jeansy Secondary School, Voi — hair-dressing training in Mombasa; now works as a hair dresser and designer in Voi.
• Mary Juma Kinyui Girls High School, Tala — completed 2012; Egerton University, Bachelor in Education.
• Rose Leparashao St. Theresa Girls, Samburu — completed 2011; Mount Kenya University, Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Tabitha Shisia Komothai Girls Tech. High School, Ruiru — completed 2012; Kenyatta University, Commerce.
• Theresia Itumo Mutindi Masinga Girls School, Masinga — completed 2012.
• Margaret Opondo Pangani Girls School, Nairobi — completed 2014.
• Pauline Mutuku St. Martin’s Girls Sec. School, Nairobi — completed 2012.
• Ann Munyoki St. Mary’s School Viwandani, Nairobi — completed 2012; Nursing, Kenya Medical Training Centre, Muranga.
• Joan Wanyama Kibingei Friends Secondary School, Kimilili — completed 2012.
• Angeline Ochieng Kayole South Sec. School, Nairobi — completed 2012.
• Mercy Nekesa Busiada Girls Sec. School, Butere — completed 2012; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bachelor of Education Science.
• Faith Mue St. Mary’s Viwandani Sec. School, Nairobi — completed 2012; working.
• Daniel Ngui Kasikeu Boys High School, Sultan Hamud — completed 2011; Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Computer Science and IT.
• Emmanuel Were Highway Secondary School, Nairobi — completed 2011; working.
• Leonard Ogutu University of Nairobi — Bachelor in Economics and Statistics, graduated December 2013; working.
• Sylvester Ndori Uhuru Secondary School, Nairobi — completed 2011; Masinde Muliro University, Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Gabriel Idd Jaribuni Secondary School, Kilifi — completed 2011; Technical University of Mombasa, Bachelor in IT.
• Lawrence Ochungo St. Mary’s Viwandani Sec. School, Nairobi — completed 2012; Pwani University, Mombasa, Bachelor of Science.
• Vivian Makungu Kwisero Girls Secondary School, Butere — completed 2013; Masinde Muliro University, Bachelor of Education Arts.
• Blessing Ingaisa ACK Nairobi, Nairobi.
• Dolphine Makasa St. Mary’s Viwandani Sec. School, Nairobi.
• Wyckliffee Odhiambo University of Nairobi — completed 2011; Bachelor of Science in Education.
• Jessica Nasimiyu St. Mary’s Viwandani Sec. School, Nairobi — completed 2013; AFA Computer Training Centre, Nairobi.
• Michael Okinyi The Vijito School, Nairobi — completed High School in 2016.
• Noella Muzirange Senior Chief Koinange Girls School, Karuri — completed High School in 2016.
• Duncan Muthama Kasikeu Secondary School, Makueni — completed High School in 2016.
• Martin Wanza Kasikeu Secondary School, Makueni — completed High School in 2016.
• Vincent Mudome Kenya Utalii College, Nairobi — Bachelor in Hotel Management.
• Slyvanus Oinga The Vijito School, Nairobi — completed High School in 2017.
• Benadict Isiaho Kanga High School, Rongo — completed High School in 2017.
• Gift Kithii The Vijito School, Nairobi — completed High School in 2015.
• Samson Wasonga Kenya Medical Training College, Muranga — completing studies in 2016.
• Justine Anyango Nyabera Girls Secondary School, Nyabera — completing secondary studies in 2016.