Relief as 20 needy but bright learners receive help from well-wishers

Form one students wait to be cleared after admission last week. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

After the Standard newspaper highlighted cases of needy learners staring at the prospects of missing out on Form One admission over lack of school fees, the bright learners have found sponsorships.

Last Monday, The Standard featured the story of the pupils who sat their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and got between 350 and 400 marks which drew the attention of well-wishers who pledged to assist them.

On Thursday, the beneficiaries streamed to various bookshops and uniform stores for shopping to join their peers who had already reported to school some two weeks ago.

According to Kakamega Head teacher Dickson Wanyangu, all the pupils who were featured received full scholarships from the Help Change Lives Charity Organisation.

"I want to thank the media fraternity, especially the Standard newspaper, for highlighting the cases," said Wanyangu.

"Our top students who were highlighted in the daily and have already reported to school this week include Philip Ambenje who scored 407 marks and he has received a full scholarship from a well-wisher to join Lenana School where he was placed. Emmanuel Orobo who scored 407 marks has joined Maseno School and Anne Wamboi who got 390 marks has joined St. Joseph's Chepteret Girls."

Wanyangu added that he was happy to see that all the 546 students who sat KCPE at the school last year have now joined their dream schools.

"I want to thank the government for sponsoring 13 students under the Elimu scholarship, Equity Bank under Wings to Fly and the Kenya Commercial Bank each sponsored one pupil. The African Professionals Group sponsored 10 students, and Help Change Lives Charity Organisation has sponsored 18 students to Form One courtesy of Standard Media Group coverage," said Wanyangu.

A delighted Wisdom Blessings Hadija who scored 410 marks at the school and beneficiary of Help Change Lives Charity Organisation promised to remain focussed and work hard to achieve her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.

Hadija was called to join St Bridgit's Girls School in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, said her poor parents were unable to raise Sh75,000 fee.

Maureen Okweya from Help Change Lives Charity Organisation said they came to the aid of the poor students after their plight was highlighted in the media.