The residents of Kowili Location in Kochia ward within Rangwe Sub-County have embarked on a funds drive to help students from needy backgrounds attend school.
The initiative dubbed, Kowili Education Recovery Foundation, is aimed at promoting education by ending school dropout as a result of financial challenges needy students face in secondary schools, tertiary and university institutions.
The funds are collected from clan members in the area and compiled together. A formed committee then assigns every clan the task of selecting the neediest students from every village, with the help of village elders.
Kennedy Ogindo, the Programme’s chairperson said the names of those selected are then submitted to the committee which is responsible for awarding bursary cheques to the selected students.
Ogindo said through the initiative, they have collected Sh3.3 million that will be distributed to 600 students as bursaries when schools open next year.
“This amount was collected from each and every clan member within the region and will help cater for school requirements like fees for the students from financially challenged families,” he said.
The chairperson reiterated that the criteria for selection is based on the level of vulnerability of the students, adding that it was undertaken by the villagers themselves who know the families well enough to understand those that are in dire need of support.
The students are awarded the cheques based on their level of financial vulnerability.
“In this method of selection, we uphold transparency in ensuring that only the most deserving students are selected to benefit from the drive,” he noted.
Vitalis Oganda, a parent, said the programme will enable needy students to acquire education for a brighter future thereby transforming the region.
By Sitna Omar
