About

Michael lives in one small room with his mother and brother. His mother is a house worker and works six days a week. His brother is in Class 2 at Spurgeon's on a scholarship. Michael was also sponsored through primary school at Spurgeon's Academy through a scholarship program at the school that supports single parent families. He received a 385 on his KCPEs and 407 on his marks before exams. Michael does not know his father. Their rent is 800 Kenyan shillings (about $10 USD) per month, and they pay an additional 300Ksh for electricity. When asked what Michael's "Plan B" would be if he does not receive a scholarship, he said that there would be nothing he could do and he would consider repeating Class 8 while searching for another option. Michael's head teacher describes him as a very well behaved and hardworking pupil. Michael also describes himself as hardworking and states that he cannot disappoint anybody. Michael has ambitions to become a pilot in the future, and believes that this scholarship would help him to achieve his dreams. When asked how Michael responds to pressure and how he would handle the work load that comes with attending a prestigious secondary school, Michael shared confidently that he usually does not find himself feeling overwhelmed, he finds a way to manage the work. When asked what receiving this scholarship would mean to him, he said it would help him to achieve his goals. The challenges he has faced throughout his education so far have been having to help with house work and needing to walk a very long distance to the library on Saturdays to study. Michael's family reported no relatives in Kibera who are able to help support them through school.