At least 250 Kenyan students have benefited from the Kenya Scholar Access Program (KenSAP) to study at top universities in North America since 2004.
Speaking ahead of a fundraising dinner in Nairobi, KenSAP co-founder and executive director John Manners said they hope to attract more attention to supplement the donations they have received from American and Canadian sponsors.
"We have a good story to tell, and we are seeking to sustain our efforts to support needy students and maintain this astonishing success rate with top American universities, having placed 100 per cent of our students since 2004 - a record in Africa," Manners added.
Recently, KenSAP expanded its initial regional focus to take in students from 30 counties in the past three years.
KenSAP's managing director Alan Davidson said the programme selects about 20 students annually from more than 1,000 highly qualified applicants. Just to apply, candidates must rank among the top 1/10 of 1% of all test takers on the KCSE.
"Currently, our ambition has grown, from just placing scholars to developing a generation of leaders who can help lift majority of Kenyans out of crippling poverty, and thereby lift the East African region economically. Once admitted to university, we continue to support them throughout their undergraduate years and beyond, conducting three annual gatherings in the US at which students exchange ideas and receive guidance from professionals," Davidson said.
KenSAP alumni have given more than $250,000 back to KenSAP and are aiming for higher annual targets in the future.
