Over 700 girls from local communities in Kajiado County have benefited from educational scholarships and mentorship programmes through the Light of Life Organization based in Ongata Rongai Town of Kajiado County.
The director of Light of Life Organization Evelyne Nakola has reiterated the importance of education of the girl child for development of the community and the importance of eradication of harmful cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages.
“We currently have 270 girls in the education sponsorship programme from primary level to university and colleges. At the rescue centre we have 32 girls who have been rescued from early marriages in Kajiado, Narok and Marsabit counties. We also provide girls training in technical skills like tailoring so that they can support themselves after school,” said Nakola.
The education sponsorship programme funds girls from vulnerable backgrounds including orphans and single parent families who may be at risk of having their education cut short or have been rescued from retrogressive cultural practices like FGM, rape and early marriages.
According to Regina Sheeni who emerged the top girl in Narok County with 421 marks in the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), completing her education through the Light of Life education sponsorship programme will help her realise her dream of becoming a pilot.
“I was able to perform well in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations through hard work because I have a vision to become a pilot. My mother who is a single parent was very supportive and kept motivating me to study and succeed,” said Sheeni.
By Amy Moyi
