Kisumu:Hundreds of needy students receive bursary!
High School students at an assembly in Kenya/Image Courtesy
By Odera Wycliffe
Needy students from Alwala, within Seme Sub County in Kisumu County have benefited from school fees from a Non-Governmental Organization.
Dr Edwin Ochieng of East African Child’s Rights Network says the program on education is based on friends’ ability to assist the needy in their education.
Dr. Ochieng says available statistics indicate that most students in the area fail to attend secondary school due to lack of school fees.
“So many students fail to complete their secondary school due to lack of fees owing to poverty being witnessed in a number of homes,” he said.
He says a total of 20 students who might not have a chance to complete their secondary education were supported.
Ochieng who is in charge of education and health within the organization says a total number of over 100 students applied for the bursary.
“After carefully going through the applications and home visits, we narrowed down on 20 students who we believe are needy and unable to continue with their education,” he said.
He noted that the organization is working also in Migori and Vihiga counties where they are addressing issues of health and education in the society.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday in Alwala during the presentations of the cheques, Ochieng called upon other donors to step in and offer support.
“What we have used is a collection from friends but as an organization we are also on the look out to tap donor funds to come and help our children,” he said.
Parents whose children benefited from the program hailed the initiative noting that the burden has been taken off their backs.
“I am grateful that my child was selected for bursary, I am happy and convinced that she will now stay in school when school re-opens next month,” said Josephine Akoth.
Akoth, like other parents, noted that it was difficult for them after missing other forms of bursary to have their children in school.
A local chief, Caleb Apondi who graced the occasion besides other senior government officers noted that the initiative is supplementing the government’s efforts to have children in school.
“The government would not wish to see children dropping out of school, this program will go hand in hand with the government effort towards education,” he said.
Apondi noted that such ventures that target children’s education should be encouraged in the society to enable communities to have children who have gone to school to tap knowledge for their future endeavors.
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