Five students from needy backgrounds studying at St Jan secondary school in Kimilili Sub County were a happy lot after they received scholarships from Community Education Service (CES), a Canadian-based Kenyan Foundation that pays school fees for needy children.
Speaking after visiting the school, CES Kenyan patron Malik Khaemba said they have been helping needy students in different Counties saying St. Jan was is the latest school to be incorporated in the program saying they will sponsor the children until they finish their
education.
He, however, cautioned the students that they have to adhere to the set rules and regulations of the program saying they have to be needy but also bright and disciplined students.
Mr. Malik also disclosed that the program is keen to ensure the students’ careers are nurtured from the beginning, saying those who perform well are also sponsored in their university education to prepare for careers of their own choice.
However, he was quick to clarify that the identified students who may not be consistent in their studies may end up being denied the opportunity to continue being sponsored.
He said the sponsored students who learn in schools in different Counties including Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma usually converge at Masinde Muliro University on 1st of July every year, which is the independence day of Canada, and they interact and are inspired
by lectures and other officials from the university.
The school’s principal David Wafula thanked the CES team for having identified the school and placed it under the program and challenged the students to continue upholding the best performance in their studies, not worrying about their school fees.
His sentiments were echoed by the teacher in charge of the students, Metrine Kutitila, who assured the panel that the selected students deserved to be helped in the program after having undergone several challenges in their lives to access education. The five students also expressed optimism that they will be able to maintain good performance in class saying they are looking forward to becoming lawyers in future.
