When Glory Gaicugi, a visually impaired student, received her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results with an impressive score of 302 marks, she faced uncertainty about pursuing secondary education due to her family’s financial struggles.
Gaicugi, a pupil at St. Lucy School for the Blind in Igoji, Meru County, had witnessed her father’s relentless efforts to ensure her education.
“I had witnessed how my father was struggling to ensure that I remained in class. I even finished my primary education without clearing school fees,” she said.
Driven by hard work and determination, Gaicugi woke up each morning to revise, resulting in her outstanding performance. Although she received a calling letter to join the Salvation Army High School for the Blind, her father deemed the school fees unaffordable.
However, hope arrived when a neighbour informed her father about an organisation offering scholarships to students like Gaicugi. With optimism, she applied for the scholarship, keeping faith that she would be selected.
“I quickly got the scholarship forms and applied. From there I kept on praying that I will be lucky and get picked by the team,” said the student whose dream career is being a lawyer.
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On Wednesday, January 10, Gaicugi was among 161 students awarded full scholarships by the Kenya Education Fund. Her dream of becoming a lawyer now has a clearer path, thanks to the scholarship.
Mr Jacob Mwenda, Gaicugi’s father, who used to do menial jobs within Meru County to pay for her school fees, expressed his joy at the unexpected opportunity.
“To be honest, I did not have a plan of how my daughter will join high school but now I have every reason to smile because she has received a full scholarship,” he said.
With two more children set to join secondary school, he hadn’t planned for his daughter’s high school education but is now grateful for the scholarship.
Another beneficiary, Vanessa Wairimu, scored 402 marks and secured a scholarship to Mary Hill Girls’ High School.
Facing financial constraints, well-wishers previously paid her school fees at Mwembe Boarding in Chogoria.
“I managed to score well because I had put God first, I also got closer to teachers who used to assist me. In addition, I also loved revising with other pupils,” Wairimu said.
The 161 students receiving scholarships from the Kenya Education Fund will have their secondary school fees fully covered, and they will also be sponsored for their first year in college or university.
Mr Francis Ng’ang’a, the Director of the Kenya Education Fund, shared that for 2023, they selected students from all 47 counties based on demonstrated financial challenges.
The scholarship program, initiated in 2001, has benefited over 4,000 students to date.
