SHOFCO

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.

Nicholas has always been a good student. However, a few years ago his father lost his job and his mother had trouble paying his school fees on her own. "My plan in the future is to complete my education and I aspire to be a professional psychologist. I would love support with my school fees for my secondary level. I believe in the name of God and you guys, because I know that you are the ones who can help me and make me what I want to be. I know specifically that I have to focus on my studies if I get this opportunity. I am ready and willing to make you proud by attaining good marks in my studies. After my studies, I promise to stop and work very hard to eradicate the issues of poverty and corruption. These are the issues most faced by many people in the area where I live."

Ilcy plans to do well academically and she wants to eventually own her own business and employ other people in her community in order to help with the unemployment rate. She has two sisters and lives with her parents, but her parents struggle to make ends meet. Her parents are also charitable, and despite their own economic problems they take care of 3 orphans. Ilcy is driven to succeed and hopes to attend Kenyatta University after graduating secondary school.

Collins comes from a family of humble means. His father works as a casual laborer and his mother is a housewife who does not earn an income. He is grateful to all the extended family members and well wishers who provided him with financial assistance to pay for his school fees and books. Collins is a motivated and hardworking student. He dreams of becoming a successful doctor, one who mentors his colleagues as well as younger children and serves as a role model for them. He also has strong public speaking skills, and wishes to use them in delivering motivational speeches to his peers.

"I believe that one day my dream of becoming a nurse will come to be true. What I like of nursing is that it involves caring and also being friendly since I am so friendly and I always love caring for others. I believe that I will make it in life. Since I am a hard-working girl, and with the grace of the Almighty God when I shall go on with my education and manage to prosper." Mercy has faced financial difficulties and has sometimes been sent home from school during primary school when her parents could not pay the fees. "What I like is that even through the hardship we are still united and we are happy. What I believe is that it doesn't matter the hardship, where you come from, what you do, but what is important is where you are heading to. I believe that through my studies I will be able to succeed in life."

Florence was raised by her mother and grandmother. She enjoys playing football and netball. Although she works hard, her mother struggled to pay school fees for her and her brother. She dreams of being a community health work and building solid relationships with her teachers in secondary school. She wants to give back to her community and to help children and widows.