A charity initiative from Murang’a County is planning to support some of the students who have been under its sponsorship to join American universities.
Murang’a County Initiative (MCI) has formed a committee to help in securing learning opportunities in Ivy League Universities for some of the students from the county who excelled in 2018’s KCSE.
Director of the Initiative Dr. Gideon Maina says all the needy students they sponsored from form-1 four years ago have attained grades to enable them transit to universities.
Speaking when Members of the Initiative met the students in Murang’a on Saturday, Maina noted that the committee will also help all the 32 students to choose competitive university courses.
He observed that those who got grades A and A- minus will be assisted to pursue courses in Ivy League universities in the USA.
“Getting a chance to study in the top class universities in the USA will be a great move as graduates from the institutions are internationally recognised. We are planning to take at least five students to the USA based higher learning institutions,” he remarked.
MCI picked bright and most needy students from the county four years ago and sponsored them until they completed secondary education in various schools
Maina who is also the vice chancellor of Pioneer International University said they will work in partnership with the University of Nairobi to offer mentorship programmes to the students and help them choose marketable study programmes.
“As an initiative we are working to help our beneficiaries proceed and clear university education for betterment of their livelihoods,” he added.
Chairman of the Initiative Mr. Peter Munga, while speaking during the occasion noted that their aim was to ensure the students excel to be responsible and prominent people in the community.
“We will strive to ensure the students attain better courses and get jobs so as to help their families and the community at large,” added Munga.
Munga, a renowned business tycoon further said he had agreed with chairmen of local water companies to absorb the students for internship before they join universities.
The internship programme, he noted will help the students make some money to assist them in preparation to join institutions of higher learning.
During the occasion, the beneficiaries were taken through a mentorship session by a section of professionals and scholars from the county.
One of the members of the initiative, Dr. Moses Mwangi advised the students to avoid being swayed to indulge in antisocial behaviour when they join universities.
Mwangi further requested persons from the county who are financially stable to come out and sponsor bright students from poor families who may miss chances of joining secondary schools.
By Bernard Munyao