SHOFCO

"I and my other two brothers live with our mother, who has been single for many years. My mother has always encouraged me to be of good faith despite so many challenges in our family. My head teacher has picked me from nothing and helped me manage my primary education and I hope to also touch another person with a good heart to help me go to secondary school in order to achieve my dreams. After Form 4, I aim to get an A grade on my exams that will enable me to join university. In university I would like to study well for me to become a journalist. The reason why I would like to be a journalist is that I will have an opportunity to know what is happening in daily life, especially where people undergo hardship (i.e. poverty, lack of water, children without going to school, orphans). I will be able to bring these issues to the media and good citizens will be able to see, read, and visit such people. I also have a vision to start a project that will be generating money to help all the needy children like me. "

I come from a family of 6 living in the informal settlement of Kibera in Nairobi. I attended Kibera Primary School and now am a student at Koroko Secondary School. I am an active student in class and extracurricular activities. At home, we have no access to clean water, healthcare, or sanitation, and affording two meals a day is difficult. This scholarship is the only chance I have to go to school. I want to study hard to get good grades so I can join a top university, and I am very thankful for this opportunity.

"Despite the fact that I have completed primary school, my aunt has struggled to pay for my school fees. She knows that education is the key to success and I have respected her throughout my life. She found a good boarding school and I started there in Class 2. She manages to cater for my needs. My former school managed to also paid for my school fees since Class 2 and may God bless both of their kindness. I wish to become a chemical engineer and a prominent farmer. I wish to adhere to my dream and be prosperous in my talent in football and basketball. "

I'm Elvis Joseph Of Kibabi Boys High School. I joined the school from Redrose Primary School where I scored 369 marks on the KCPE. I am 14 years old and in Form One. My school is located in Bungoma county in Western Kenya. We did a test where I scored a B within the first three months at school. This was because the SHOFCO scholarship program enabled me to be in school. I have been raised by a single parent and life has been really harsh to us, from school fees, food, and paying the house rent plus providing for other siblings. My two elder sisters completed secondary school and could not go any further, they also have no jobs. I also lack most necessities at school and this has even made other students look down upon me and discriminate me as well. The teachers advise and motivate me and that is the reason I have always worked hard. I'm also proud of my friends who lost hope but I talked to them for encouragement. That to me was an achievement. I really appreciate the SHOFCO scholarship program.

My hobbies are reading, going for picnics, and playing with my friends at home and in school. I also like participating in school activities, especially sports as I am very active. When I grow up I would like to become a journalist and go to many places to learn different things.

Melby's family has always had trouble paying her school fees. "It has really been hard for me and my parents to pay for my fees and buy me the stationary." Despite these financial obstacles, she dreams of one day attending medical school. "After I finish my secondary school, it would be my dream to go to the University of Nairobi. There I would study medicine. I would open a clinic and help the small kids who are suffering. In Kibera, there are many teenagers who are idle, and I would try to give them opportunities so the number of theft decreases. And finally Kibera would be a better place to live in." Melby also participates in the drama club and would love to join a sports team.