African Nazarene University partners with donor organization to assist needy students

Kenya: The African Nazarene University has partnered with Education for All Children (EFAC), a donor Organization in the USA, to run a scholarship and mentorship program for the less advantaged post primary and secondary scholars in Kenya.

Efac, was over the weekend on a career preparedness and mentoring training for over 250 students, who are on scholarship in various high schools and institutions of higher learning.

 “Mentorship for young people is key for young people not to lose track in pursuit of their dreams,” Chancellor Prof Leah Marangu said.

She said most university graduates have degrees, diplomas and certificates but cannot use the knowledge to discover their abilities to create jobs.

“Career preparedness is a training aimed at making young people to be ready to create jobs rather than wait for employment. They are trained to be innovative and creative,” Professor Marangu quipped.

In 2008, Rod Sciver and Nancy Van Sciver founded Efac. The organisation works closely with Professor Marangu in a partnership.

They support young vulnerable children to get scholarships to study in their universities of choice.

 “This initiative supports both girls and boys at a ratio of 2:1,” Efac Country director Beth Wokabi said.

Wokabi added that the secretariat uses the Starehe Centre criteria to identify the needy students.

“We did not want to re-invent the wheel”, she said.

Over 250 students benefited from the career preparedness training at the African Nazarene University (ANU) in Rongai. Efac Secretariat is in the University.

Career experts, successful businessmen and investors are invited as mentors and attached to selected students, whereby they nurture the student’s leadership qualities.

The program also impels learners to be advocates of peace. Since 2008, over 280 students have benefited from the program, with 145 in high schools and 144 having successfully finished their secondary education.

95 students are currently pursuing higher education and 49 are waiting to join tertiary institutions under the continued sponsorship of EFAC.

“My mother struggled to pay for my fees at primary school, which was mostly contributed by well-wishers.” said Tabitha Naserian.

Tabitha lives with her mother in a rental single-room, iron-sheet house in Ongata Rongai. Tabitha's dream is to become an accountant. She has joined Form One at Vanessa Grant Girls.

 “You planted a seed in a desperate heart where there was no hope before,” said Samwel Amwai, a former street boy, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business and Information Technology (BBIT) Degree at Africa Nazarene University.

Eric Wainana in his testimony before the gathering said: "I pray to God to bless you so that you can continue to empower the needy." 

He now lives with his mother in a rental house at Kahara village in Kajiado Country. He is currently in Form One at St. Mary’s Boys Secondary school.

Despite their humble backgrounds, more than half of the scholars are ranked at the top academically in their respective classes in secondary schools and perform well in national exams.