Lloyds father died recently serving as a police officer. His family was very supportive of Wema’s efforts until the passing of his father. His mother is now unable to provide support for the school fees for his brothers and him. Lloyds needs help in pursuing his dream of becoming a lawyer.

Alexander is the lastborn child in a family of four. All his elder siblings have all dropped out of school in primary level due to lack of school fees. His mother is single and unemployed. She has been ailing and can rarely manage to do manual work to cater for her children. Despite all odds alexander managed to perform very well in his primary level education. He is determined to achieve his goal of becoming a doctor in future. As a doctor, he believes that he will help the poor in the society access medical services. Alexander believes that education is the key to success.

My name is Abdulrahman Fatuma Ali. I come from a family of three siblings and a single parent as well. Despite all the challenges, I still remained focused and worked hard in primary and managed to score a B at Stara Rescue Centre School without any hopes of joining high school. Thanks to Shining Hope for Communities for coming in and fully supporting my secondary education at Tala High School. Without forgetting where I came from, I am always focused on my education. With the support of my interest in reading to improve my academics, for I know the roots of education is bitter, but the fruit are sweet. I would like to be a teacher in the future and teach Maths & Business. I have also been touched by the work Shofco is doing with Kibera community to change the lives of people and would like to contribute to community work in future through my time and resources.

I am from a humble family with both parents. My current life situation has been challenging, since I am depending on my parents and friends for help in my study. Sometimes getting food to put on the table has been a problem for my parents. Despite all these challenges I have remained focused on my school work. When I got the opportunity to be one of the scholars of Shofco Urban Network, I was very happy and my dreams of becoming a better person in life and helping my parents in the future.

Victorino is a nice and very humble boy who is very committed to his studies. He likes to play football with friends. His mother passed away and his father was unable to send him to school so his aunt took him in so that he could get an education. Victorino lives with his cousins in a simple much brick home that does not have running water.

Even though life has been very hard, the efforts and support I got from the friends and well wishers has made me learn the disadvantages of depending on others. When i got the information about the scholarship my parents encouraged me to work hard and do my best in my studies. They helped to apply for the chance, and lucky enough I was called and got the opportunity to be one of the scholars.

Padre excelled in primary school and was ranked number four in his class. However, with six children to take care of, his family struggles to make ends meet. There are very few resources at home and they often do not have enough food to feed their children. Since none of Padre’s older siblings had the opportunity to go to secondary school, he hopes to be the first in his family to graduate so that he can give back to his family and his community.

Alexander is a very intelligent boy - the best student in his class. He loves music and is learning to play the guitar. His teacher thinks he is very gifted at it. Alex lives with his parents and a younger brother. His parents are very keen for him to do well and they support him as much as they can. He is very mature for his age and takes life seriously.

John's father died in 2011. at the time of his death, his father had been diagnosed with throat cancer and also kidney failure. HIs mother is a sells vegetables and it is this small business that supports the family of 10. He has 1 brother,younger and 8 sisters, all older. The eldest sister is studying accounts at a nearby college while the second born is married and dropped out of high school. Three of his sisters are in high school where the fees are paid for by well wishers and relatives. his younger brother is still in primary school. He had problems paying small fees required in primary school for lunch and exams. Before he came to Wema, John had to walk long distances to and from school and rarely had two meals a day. He is glad to be in boarding school, he no longer has to walk to and from school and he is guaranteed of three meals a day. " i would like to thank Wema for giving me the opportunity of an education without challenges that pull me down" -John.