Children of Kibera Foundation: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

11 New Scholars Announced

After reviewing more than 600 applications, interviewing about 70 shortlisted candidates, conducting 42 home visits ... our team in Kibera finally selected 11 new Children of Kibera class of 2015 scholars. We had 3 first time pioneer scholars from their respective schools, a sure sign of growth in our outreach. They are guaranteed full scholarship for high school and a path to university based on their academic performance, demonstrated socio-economic need, strong personal character and leadership potential. W e wish them all the best in their high school life.

“In me, you have a new ambassador in the community for what you do is evident for every eye to see”—A parent

“It is my pride to see my students excel in life and be a shining light in the community”- Mr. Haji Teacher Olympic Primary School.

Group 2015 scholars

Journey of a hopeful scholar part 2

After our initial meeting, we were grouped into zones that could make home visits by CoKF staff easy bearing in mind that candidates were from all over Kibera.

Thursday morning at around 9 O’clock the ‘entourage’ started snaking its way through the complex feeder roads completing the Kibera circuit. I was the 6^th to be visited. Just that visit made me ooze with pride, I have never had so many people visit my home just because of what I have been able to achieve.

Due to my parents’ condition, I put up with my cousin along Karanja road and my parents had to struggle to come over. The visit was truly encouraging and my hope of joining high school felt strengthened, it now seems a reality, as I look at the Mary Hill Girls School calling letter (a prestigious national school) at my hand, I felt that the home visit portends of good things to come.

Two days later, we were called to congregate at Mchanganyiko hall where I was informed together with ten other students that we were the class of 2015 recipients of the full scholarships. I lack the exact words to express the joy that was in the room both from our parents and us.

I now go to high school with renewed strength, I know I am going to meet top students from all over the country and I am determined to be among the cream both in academics and extracurricular activities for my biggest burden has been lifted and all I have to worry about is excelling in school

Connecting the villages...

Uphill task

This is my home.

Friday, January 13, 2012

20,000 Dollars for Bursary Program

The 12^th day of January was a special day both for the Kibera community and the Children of Kibera Foundation. In our quest to expand the access to quality education to orphans and vulnerable children in Kibera Slums, 115 children carefully selected from across all the 12 villages making up the Kibera slum can now smile all the way to school because they received a 1 year bursary courtesy of Children of Kibera Foundation. This money is meant for their tuition, basic school supplies and uniforms.

We believe that this scheme will help more children go through their education with a little ‘burden’ lifted off their parents’ shoulders as it is not full scholarship.

It being our first bursary scheme we pride in casting our net wide and enabling even more kids from Kibera stay in school. Seeing the beaming smiles in the packed hall, it goes without saying that this scheme has blown an air of relief across all the villages in Kibera.

“Seeing more children go to school in January, that is Christmas for me”

Ken Okoth- Executive Director Children of Kibera Foundation.

You can help us get even more children to school by giving us a generous donation at: http://bit.ly/cbvgBg

Your son is in.

with education they could join Amherst like Amelia

Queing for award letters

All smiles!

The selection process was fair.

We believe that this scheme will help more children go through their education with a little ‘burden’ lifted off their parents’ shoulders as it is not full scholarship.

“Seeing more children go to school in January, that is Christmas for me”

Ken Okoth- Executive Director Children of Kibera Foundation.

You can help us get even more children to school by giving us a generous donation at: http://bit.ly/cbvgBg

Friday, January 6, 2012

THE JOURNEY OF A HOPEFUL SCHOLAR (Part 1)

Early in second term I registered for the Children of Kibera Foundation High school scholarship scheme and immediately rolled my sleeves to work given the very competitive nature of the scholarships. Hundreds apply each year and only ten are chosen. I have no option but to make the cut off points, for if I fail, that marks the end of my education as financially my family is not able to raise secondary education fees.

It is the 28^th day of December 2011; the results that had been ringing in my mind throughout the festive seasons are out. To me these are not just results .It is my life. My bridge to a better future.

With instant messaging services, my mum picks up her mobile phone sends a short SMS and minutes later with tears of joy informs me that I have scored 407 out of the possible 500 points, we hug and pray but the joy is short lived for hours later, the reality sinks in, the reality of a misty future, my high school education hangs in the balance

Two days later I receive a call from Children of Kibera Foundation informing me that I have been shortlisted and inviting me for an initial meeting on the 6^th of January.

I arrived at the meeting venue at around 10.30 and on the registration form I am number 28 and still counting, the main agenda at the meeting is to take us through the selection process and what is required of us. “Even though you have been shortlisted you are still not guaranteed a scholarship” These are words that echo in my mind as I leave the meeting room. I still remain hopeful; still, I am optimistic, I fight to keep my hope alive even though only ten will be chosen out of the many…

(To be continued)

These story applies to many bright but needy children from Kibera Slums,you can help us give them the bridge to a better future by making a donation, click HERE!