SHOFCO

Deborah Nyaboke Nyakwara of Sironga Girls High School in Kisii, I am 14 years old and I am from the Kibera slum in Nairobi. My parents were unable to get the school fees and through the acces of the SHOFCO Scholarship program I managed to join the school. Still I could not get the boarding essentials and took too long at home waiting for my parents to purchase them. During this pandemic we are at home and the truth is that life is harder here than in school. Most times we go to bed without eating anything. We are also restricted in movement and my parents keep us indoors. We also lack facilitators who can help us as teenagers and encourage us to study than we used to be taught in school. I thank you for your support that reduces the burden on my parents.

I am a student at Moi Girls School in Vihiga County of Western Kenya. Previously, I attended Ayany Primary School. I have had some challenges since starting high school, and it was difficult to make friends. I am working hard in school and improved in my weakest subject. I got the chance to be on the volleyball team at school. This scholarhsip program is the reason I have been in school, because my family is not able to provide the school fees otherwise. I am very thankful for this opportunity.

I am an intelligent girl. My hobbies are drawing, colouring, and painting. At school I enjoy going for sports, but at home I enjoy playing and watching movies. My favorite subject is science because I enjoy doing the experiments with the teacher. I also enjoy english because our teacher reads fun and inspiring books to us. When I grow up I want to be a doctor so I can treat people with injuries and illness. I want to examine patients, take medical histories, and prescribe medications.

My name is Ismail Yusuf and I attend Hospital Hill High School in Nairobi. I am 15 years old and I attended ST. George's Primary School where I scored 335 marks on the KCPE. While I was in school, I experienced bullying from other students. There were also cases of theft in school. This scholarship program has helped reduce my parents burdens, as right now life is hard and everything is expensive. My family consists of 7 people and providing for such a number is a great challenge, but now that my school fees are covered, they can at least use the little cash they get on food or other house necessities. I now have a coach who is helping me with my soccer talent, and this is what I like to do in my free time.

"I am in a family of five and I am the fourth born. It has even become a problem for my mum to feed us all. I would like to prosper in my academics in order to help to lift my family out of poverty. My plan is to make sure that I will go to university, where I will pursue my academics and become one of the best engineers in the country. Engineers have always inspired me. I see myself giving back to the community and helping to lift other people's lives out of poverty."

Agnes’s family has faced great financial struggles; however, even when they are unable to pay for food or rent, they still prioritize her school fees. This has made Agnes incredibly hardworking, disciplined and studious. She is a high achiever in school. Agnes dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon, which stems from her desire to save as many lives as possible. She is also passionate about neglected children and hopes to one day start an orphanage.