Luo Professionals working and residing in Mombasa have joined forces to come to the rescue of vulnerable students who were on the verge of dropping out of schools and tertiary institutions due to lack of fees.
The scholars mobilised funds to disburse scholarships and bursary cheques to 44 deserving students from the Luo community living in Mombasa.
The scholars target students from form one to form four, tertiary colleges and universities. Sh850,000 was disbursed, some students are on full scholarships while those benefiting from other bursaries got Sh10,000.
“Education is an equalizer. We have had instances before where some of our very bright students failed to join high schools and some dropped out of college due to a lack of school fees,” said Pius Oketch, Chairman Luo Professionals in Mombasa during the handing over of cheques.
“It was because of this that we felt we needed to intervene as professionals so that we ensure students from our communities residing in Mombasa remain in schools and colleges,” he added.
Chairman of the Professionals Scholarship Committee Prof Josiah Odalo explained that the 44 beneficiaries comprise 25 males 19 females of which 28 are in high schools and 16 across the tertiary colleges from Mombasa down to the Lake.
Prof. Odalo advised the beneficiaries to use the support they received to benefit society not to be egocentric.
“It is our prayer that as they mature through this training and aspire to be what they want to be when they get out there, we pray that they will be out for the community as a way of giving back to society,” he stated.
Prof Joseph Rasowo, a member of the group and Technical University of Mombasa, Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance, Administration and Planning challenged the parents to ensure the beneficiaries work hard and excel in their academics.
He promised to ensure the beneficiaries attained the highest level of education to take over from them.
“Some of us are old. These young people are the future of this country. Luos have a history of loving education; we really don’t want to sit at home while our children can’t go to school. The economy is struggling,” said Prof Rasowo.
He encouraged more professionals to contribute to guarantee the sustainability of the programme.
Anthony Odhiambo, a 3rd Year Electrical Engineering student at TUM thanked the Professionals for choosing to invest in education. “This financial boost will help me in my fees and other areas, I am very grateful,” said Odhiambo.
Dominic Amolo, a parent, said if the students are not educated the future will be bleak. He also encouraged other professionals to join hands to support the group.
“My child was dropping out of Form Two at Shimo La Tewa High School. He has been salvaged by the Luo Professionals, I am happy I am carrying a cheque of Sh10,000. They promised to do more if the child worked hard, I know he’s going to work hard,” said Amolo.
Another parent, Emily Ochieng, noted that many vulnerable students were dropping out of school and thanked the professionals for initiating the transformative programme.
By Sadik Hassan
