Banks comes to the rescue of the needy.
The Mountain Journal, Mandera
By Ibrahim Happy
The KCB Foundation has given scholarships to 19 needy students in Mandera who sat for the 2022 KCPE examination.
The award of Kshs 1, 140, 000 scholarships follows the completion of a nationwide exercise to identify bright and deserving students.
Each student has today being issued with a cheque of Kshs 35, 000 and another whooping Kshs 30, 000 to cater for uniforms, books, transport and other needs.
PHOTO/Ahmed Hussein Mohamud receives Kshs 35, 000 from the deputy governor Mandera Ali Mohamud during the flag off of the scholarship in Mandera.
According to Jilo Wako, KCB Mandera branch manager the beneficiaries were picked from the most vulnerable and marginalised families, with 2 slots allocated to Persons with Disabilities and 50 per cent to girls.
Wako said the Foundation’s focus is on learners who are vulnerable because of various circumstances.
He believes the foundation has reached out to academically gifted but needy learners.
“We have looked at the marginalized group, orphans, disability as well as gender,” he said
“The funds will cater for tuition fees for the four years, uniforms, transport, set books, regular mentorship sessions and psychosocial support,” Said Wako
Addressing parents, the bank branch boss has warned them against marrying off the girls at a tender age and asked them to allow the children to complete education
“We will not condone marrying off young and school going children. We will pursue the law to the fullest against any parent who will not heed the directive,” he said
Ahmed Hussein Mohamud,14, a beneficiary of the scholarship said he will use the opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor to serve the people of Mandera.
He said he sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education at Bulla mpya and managed to score 375 marks out of 500 marks.
“I have been raised in a family that’s financially challenged.
The only hope I had was to score high in KCPE so that I can get a scholarship to join my school of choice to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor, thanks to God I managed to get 375 marks,” he said.
Hussein will join his dream school Garissa High to pursue his studies.
All the students are set to join Form 1 between February 6 and February 13.
www.themountainjournal.co.ke
