15 years of transforming lives with Wings to Fly

Dr James Mwangi addresses scholars at a past annual Education and Leadership Conference.

Since its inception, ELP has facilitated university entry for 18,735 scholars, with 8,337 benefiting from paid internships at Equity Bank. Notably, 891 ELP scholars secured fully-funded scholarships at 209 global universities across 56 countries, including Ivy League institutions like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia and Cornell.

Furthermore, ELP scholars pursuing medicine have been supported by EGF to establish Equity Afia medical centres, thus expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare. To date, 102 facilities have been successfully launched nationwide, and Equity Afia is expanding the franchise in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

To further promote enterprise and provide solutions to various socio-economic challenges facing the continent, EGF has also created a network for ELP alumni in the enterprise and innovations space and has been supporting them to set up and grow their businesses.

His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, 4th President of the Republic of Kenya issues a scholarship letter to a beneficiary.

Here's to 15 years of dreams of transforming challenges into opportunities and empowering tomorrow's leaders. With Wings to Fly, the sky is not the limit; it's just the beginning.

From peasant roots to food sector revolutionist

From the daughter of a peasant farmer to a Wings to Fly beneficiary, Monica Marika's journey is one of transformation and determination. After scoring an A (plain) at Karima Girls High School, she joined the Equity Leaders Program (ELP), further cementing her academic path.

From peasant roots to food sector revolutionist.

Rising Above: From humble beginnings to a global finance and health trailblazer

Orphaned and from a humble background, John Ndolo found strength in his great-grandmother and education. Scoring 375 in KCPE and being among the top performers in Kagundo Constituency earned him a spot in the Wings to Fly scholarship. He would later also excel in the KCSE exam at Kangundo Boys'High School, scoring an A (Plain).

In 2015, he joined the Equity Leaders Program and obtained a First-Class honours degree in Actuarial Science at JKUAT. He later pursued two Master's degrees abroad - one from the University of Toronto and another from the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences.

"The light from Wings to Fly illuminated the ups and downs of my journey, guiding me towards a bright future and transforming me from a humble background to an international icon. Today, I stand not just as a product of my past, but as a beacon of inspiration for children who share similar backgrounds, proving that with determination, education, and support, any obstacle can be overcome and destiny rewritten," he says.

Left: The Mastercard Foundation board members Former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae and Jendayi Frazer, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, accompanied by Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr James Mwangi (2nd right) visit a scholar in Samburu.

"The Wings to Fly program has a far-reaching impact that spans several areas. It primarily benefits children who are orphans, hail from single-parent families, or have parents grappling with chronic illnesses or various forms of disabilities.

Most of these individuals lack the financial means to afford school fees, and this is where the scholarship plays a pivotal role. The scholarship lifts a significant burden, enabling the children to focus on their studies rather than being preoccupied with the financial challenges they face at home," says Rosemary Wambui, Kibera Deputy Director of Education (Kibera CSSB).

The writer, Dr James Mwangi, CBS, is Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman.]