Beneficiaries Testimonial

RONALD SHIVACHI (ALUMNI)

The contagious smile and aura of enthusiasm surrounding Ronald Shivachi when he visited the Jomo Kenyatta foundation (JKF) are without a doubt his best unspoken way of expressing gratitude for what the organization has done to transform his life.

Four years ago, Shivachi had lost all hope of joining high school. He was born and abandoned as an infant. It took the intervention of his aunt to nurture and see him through primary education. That was not an easy task as she barely had enough to take care of her own children to begin with.

Shivachi did his KCPE and scored 356 points. He was admitted to Kajiado High School but reporting alone was a mirage. It was then that he applied for the JKF scholarship and was successful. He worked hard and scored an impressive B+ in KCSE.

On the day he came to JKF, the ebullient Shivachi was presenting his KCSE certificate. His next point of call was Maseno University, where he would pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology degree.

If the joy imprinted on Shivachi’s face is anything to write home about, then it is clear to all and sundry that the JKF scholarship is lighting up people’s lives. He promises to work hard and become a game changer in the computer technology industry. Crucially, he looks forward to giving back to society by paying for the education of needy students when money starts flowing into his wallet.

GODLIVER AUMA (FORM 4)

Godliver Auma’s story is one of sheer resilience and determination. Born in Busia County in a family of seven, her father, the sole breadwinner, died when she was barely six. The huge burden of taking care of the family rested squarely on her jobless and sickly mother.

The situation deteriorated to the point that they had to rely on well-wishers for upkeep. Godliver was determined to get out of the deep hole, and education was the only option. She wished to become a doctor.

On sitting the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, she scored an impressive 358 marks, and was admitted to St. Cecillia Girls’ Nangina. At the time her mother was bedridden.

All seemed bleak but through some stroke of luck, she was advised by her primary school teachers to apply for The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation’s scholarship. She was among those who were successful. She is now in Form Four and going on well with her studies. Her mother passed on shortly after Auma got the scholarship.

Nothing, it seems, will stop Auma from realizing her lifelong dream, if the determination and hard work at school is anything to go by.

HANNAH NJERI GACHOKI (Form 4)

Hannah Njeri’s hopes of secondary education nearly went up in smoke despite doing well in her KCPE. She was raised by a single parent, her mother had no steady source of income and her health was failing by the day. Things took a positive turn when JKF came calling and she was awarded a scholarship.

However, her joy was short-lived as her mother passed on shortly after Njeri got the scholarship. Full of resolve and determination, Njeri did not let the blow to dampen her quest for education. She is in Form Four at South Tetu Girls’ High School, and she says the sky is the limit.

Beneficiaries Testimonial

OISHO STEPHEN KASAINE (Form 3)

At 14 years, Oisho was yet to go to school. His task was to herd his father’s livestock at Amboseli National Park.

Then in 2009, he was attacked by a buffalo. For the next eight months, poor Oisho was recuperating at the Loitoktok Sub-county hospital. Unfortunate as that was, little did anyone expect it to be the turnaround in his fortunes.

He got a chance to enroll in school. His performance was impressive and he sat KCPE in 2016, scoring 356. A devastating drought occurred, and Oisho’s father lost all his cattle. There was no hope of the boy pursuing his education.

Luckily, he got word of JKF’s Scholarship Programme, went through the paces and was finally aboard. He is in Form 4 and Ol’Kejuado High School and doing well.

KIGEN COSMAS KIPLAGAT

Cosmas Kigen’s life is one of turbulence on the one hand, and unmatched optimism, on the other. At six he was diagnosed with a heart condition, but his mother could barely afford medication. By the time he sat KCPE, she was ailing and his grandfather, who had stepped in to their rescue was himself diagnosed with a kidney disease.

The trio literally drained all finances at disposal, making it difficult for Cosmas to have any realistic hopes of continuing with education. With 368 marks, Cosmas found himself languishing at home. JKF came to his rescue when he was awarded scholarship and joined St. Joseph Kitale Boys High School. He did not disappoint and now is all set to pursue a course in Software Informatics at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Taita Taveta Campus.

AMOS KOECH KIPRONO

Amos Kiprono Koech had all but given up hope of joining secondary school despite attaining 369 marks. The situation at home was difficult to the extent that he lived in a roofless mud house as he did KCPE.

His quest for secondary school education saw him report to Tenwek High School but was sent away on the same day as he had no money for fees. He resorted to casual labour as a brick maker. His JKF scholarship application saw the light of day and Tenwek it was that he returned, head held high and he did not disappoint when he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education he scored highly and is set to join Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Taita Taveta Campus to pursue a course in teaching.

ISICHI SNORINE MWARILI

When she scored 374 marks, Snowrine Isichi Mwarili was all smiles for having passed an examination she had awaited eagerly for eight odd years. But that is as far as it went. She knew pretty well that her parents could not afford school fees.

From the advice of one of her ex-teachers, Mwarili applied for the JKF scholarship and she was taken in in 2015 and joined Sacred Hearts Mukumu Girls’ High School. After successfully completing her high school education Mwarili is headed to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and technology for her tertiary education where she will pursue a bachelor of science in logistics and supply chain management course.

CHARITY NAZI KATANA

Charity Nazi Katana hails from Kilifi County. She did her KCPE in 2013 and got 351 marks. The fourth-born in a family of eight, Charity had little hope of going beyond Standard Eight. Her parents lacked the means and the three siblings ahead of her had not faired any better.

Early marriage, it seemed, was her only way out. But that wasn’t to be. Courtesy of the JKF scholarship, Charity completed her secondary education at Matuga Girls’ High School. She has put the past behind her, and is optimistic that the future holds well both for her and family.

MUTUMA ANDERSON MUTETHIA (Form 3)

Were it not for his dogged determination to get education, Mutuma Anderson Mutethia would have thrown in the towel at an early stage of his life. His family home was demolished and land taken over by a private firm.

Mutuma’s parents were left destitute at a time he was about to sit his KCPE. He prevailed and scored an impressive 363 marks. Only a scholarship would bail him out, and JKF it was that came around. He is in Form three in Kenyatta High School, Mwatate.