The African Canadian Continuing Education (ACCESS) Kenya has awarded Sh. 1.3million scholarship to 100 students from vulnerable families in four counties of Western Kenya.
Access Kenya awarded the scholarships to post-secondary students drawn from Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga and Busia with an aim of alleviating poverty through education.
The students will be supported for their entire period of study. The Beneficiaries consist of 70 University Students, 20 college students and 10 students from Technical Vocation and Education Training (TVET).
Those in University will receive Sh. 10 000 per semester, Sh. 20 000 for those in College and Sh. 20 000 each for those in TVET institutions.
The Programme Director of Access Kenya, Anthony Mutevane said they received more than 655 applications for the scholarships and interviewed 220.
“Students applied for the scholarships in March, after home visits we selected 100 who will be sponsored for their entire period of study,” he noted.
Mutevane urged students who benefited from the scholarship earlier to join the Access Scholars Education Foundation where they can support other needy students.
Since its inception in 1993, access Kenya scholarship programme has supported over 5000 students from the four counties who hail from poor families.
The Chairperson of Access Kenya Advisory Committee, Pape Sembi said they work closely with the Canadian Committee where funds are raised to support students from poor families.
He said they are working with other stakeholders to raise their own funds in Kenya instead of fully relying on the Canadians. He urged students to work hard and transform the lives of their families.
Kakamega County Deputy Governor, Philip Kutima who launched the award of the scholarships at the Bukhungu stadium asked students to work hard and give back to society by helping other students.