Quotes from our high school scholars

During the April school vacation, our high school scholars got a chance to write down reflections and letters about their experience as CoKF scholars. Here are some quotes from their letters.

Quote 1

“The tough part of life was now approaching. I has passed my exams got an admissions call from a provincial school. The big question was where was the school fees was going to come from? Thanks to Children of Kibera Foundation which stood with me and agreed to pay my school fee.” CoKF High school Scholar

Quote 2

“My family and I passed all the difficulties until the time I finished my primary education. I passed very well despite the fact that I came from a poor family and this showed me that I am capable of doing everything and aiming at the sun. The same problem happened again when I wanted to go to high school. There was no money at all which could be used for my fees, at that point I knew that I was not going to join any high school and my education had ended in primary school. I did not lose hope and prayed to God to help me in at least any way that could enable me to get a school. I really wanted a bright future.” CoKF High School Scholar

Quote 3

“I did my exams believing that my marks would pay my school fees. I actually did not know where my fee for high school would come from, but my head teacher had informed us of the Children of Kibera Foundation scholarship earlier. I did my KCPE and passed and eventually got the scholarship. I thought I was dreaming but later accepted it was reality. I ran short of words, my heart melted with joy. Its was a relief for me because another burden for me had been eased from my back. Due to my past problems I have learnt never to despair in life. I am very grateful for those experiences that I have passed through, they have taught me and made me stronger. I thought my goals had been shattered but the Children of Kibera Foundation rekindled my hopes. I want to have a bright future and I am currently working on that. I have big dreams. I would also want to start my own non-governmental organization in Kibera just to cater for the bright but needy students after achieving my goals. Not only money but also counseling, advice and activities would help them. I want to become not only a person who is successful but also a person of value to the society. I hope I will inspire others also to do the same thing. I am a mentor in the making I hope my life would be comfortable in future. I am making sure because I am building it currently. I am optimistic that people will be telling my inspiring story in the future. A girl from Kibera slums who made it big.” CoKF High School Scholar

Quote 4

“During the post election chaos, my father’s business premises were burnt down and all hell broke lose. We had to go and live in the countryside while he worked to the bone to make ends meet. It did not work well and so we had to go to a school in the remote areas of Kenya. Life there was even more challenging and my former head teacher decided to bring me back to Nairobi and let me stay with her until my father could find some other means to take care of us. My siblings remained in the rural area while I came back to Nairobi. Although bad things have happened in my life I still hoped for a brighter future and I knew that more good things await me. Indeed that was true because I was selected as one of the beneficiaries of the scholarship of Children of Kibera Foundation. It was really a relief to me because I was wondering where I would go if I passed my KCPE exams.” CoKF High School Scholar

Quote 5

“My dream of becoming the best electrical and electronic engineer in the world is still clear and achievable because of the scholarship to my expensive school which my family could not have afforded.” CoKF High School Scholar

Quote 6

“After doing KCPE in 2007, I was happy for the result l got yet sad because I didn’t think that I was going to be catered for the many expenses of joining school and the fees. However I was overwhelmed with both gratitude and joy upon being chosen by this foundation. I saw light at the end of the tunnel and a start of a brighter future.” CoKF High School Scholar