1. education

Implemented by:
“The scholars have demonstrated that retaining hope against all odds
can change their destiny.“ Dr James Mwangi, CBS, Chairman, Equity Group Foundation (EGF)
The Wings To Fly program was inspired by
our shared vision and belief that the destiny
of young people is not tied to the current
circumstances of their parents and that
young people have the potential to break the
cycle of poverty and change their destiny, that
of their families and society if given access to
education and leadership skills.
We thank UKaid, USAID, KfW as well
as several individuals and corporates who
have believed in our dream and joined
this partnership between The MasterCard
Foundation and Equity Group Foundation.
Since 1998, Equity Bank has been
supporting university sponsorship for the
top performing boy and girl in the Kenya
Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in every district where
the Bank has a branch. This programme has benefitted 1,550
university scholars out of whom 89 are attending world leading
universities including Ivy League universities. As we witnessed the
transformational power of this programme, we reflected on how we
could diversify and benefit more young people by bridging the gap
between free primary education and access to secondary school
education. This gave rise to the Wings To Fly program.
The program’s objective is to give academically talented children
from vulnerable backgrounds an equal opportunity to access
secondary school education and a pathway to transform their
lives and those of their families, local and wider communities. The
program, which started with an initial 5,000 scholarships worth
USD 40.9M from The MasterCard Foundation has grown to 8,671
scholarships worth USD 75.6M which is part of a 10,000 scholarship
target. This demonstrates the power of partnerships.
The Wings To Fly is a case study of many lessons on the
potential of our children. The first one is hope. The scholars have
demonstrated that retaining hope against all odds can change
destiny. The second one is resilience as seen in the story of our
scholars’ lives and the third one is determination. The fourth lesson
is the power of opportunity. It shows the potential of a people to
transform themselves and realize their full potential when availed
an opportunity. These scholars have espoused these values and
they continue to make us proud of the decision we made with The
MasterCard Foundation and our partners to walk with them in their
academic and social journey, to discover their full potential, redefine
their future and prepare for transformational leadership.
The Wings To Fly program goes a long way in achieving our Vision
2030 agenda which has the objective of investing in the young people
of Kenya in order to improve the quality of life for all Kenyans and
transform Kenya into a middle class economy.
By giving wings to fly to some of our best brain power, we are
unlocking the early demographic dividends from these energetic,
enthusiastic, determined and focused young Kenyans who hold
Kenya’s promise; a critical mass of well prepared, value based and
compassionate future leaders who will realize Kenya’s dream of
growth and prosperity; a generation of servant leaders.
That is the legacy we wish to bequeath Kenya, that of creating a
generation of world citizens with a mentality of abundance, bound
together by national pride, determination to create a better world
and maintain peaceful coexistence with all communities and people
across all walks of life.
Message by His Excellency President Hon. Mwai Kibaki, C.G.H.
when he commissioned the 2013 Wings To Fly Scholars.
I
President Mwai Kibaki recieves a souvenir from one of the Wings To Fly 2013 scholars
during the 2013 commissioning ceremony, as Dr James Mwangi, EGF Chairman and
Mr Peter Munga Equity Bank Chairman look on.
note with pleasure that the number of scholars
under the Wings To Fly program has continued to
grow since I launched this program in 2011.
My Government continues to put in a lot of
investment and interest in education. The introduction
of free primary education in 2003 was a clear
demonstration of the commitment of my government
to give Kenyan children a strong foundation in
education, and prepare them for their future roles in
building our nation. Significant improvement in access
and retention at the Primary level has been recorded
as seen in the numbers that sat the Kenya Certificate
of Primary Education (KCPE) exams in the year 2012.
Kenya’s Vision 2030 gives education a central place
under the Social Pillar. Access to quality education
is the surest way to promote inclusivity and equity in
accessing opportunities and resources. It is through
education that we shall, as a country, develop the
human capital necessary to move our country from a
developing country to a middle level economy.
My government has been promoting an environment
that encourages public private partnerships. I have
been particularly encouraged by the close interaction
that has been growing between the private sector and
the education sector. This partnership will no doubt
positively influence the relevance of education to the
private sector.
We are happy with the programs that Equity Group
Foundation and The MasterCard Foundation with their
partners UKaid, USAID and KfW have put in place to
promote and support access to education by our youth.
Let me also commend the Ministry of Education for
the pivotal role they have been playing in supporting
the Equity Group Foundation in their education
endeavours. I take note of the great work done by the
District Education Officers in chairing the Equity Group
Foundation District Scholarship Selection Boards.
This is very commendable as you are taking your
rightful role in giving guidance in education matters
and helping to ensure that this program benefits the
most eligible children.
I join the 2013 Wings To Fly scholars’ parents,
guardians and the sponsoring partners in wishing
them success in their new schools.
Implemented by:
“The selection of students uses a transparent community procees.”
Dr Helen Gichohi, Managing Director, Equity Group Foundation
Equity Group Foundation (EGF), is the social
Foundation, USAID and German Cooperation through KfW and other supporters. The
investment and impact arm of Equity Bank. The
selection of the students as in previous years uses a transparent community based
Foundation was established to give Equity Bank the
process that relies on locally constituted District Scholarship Selection Boards (DSSB)
ability to scale up its social programs that had for
comprising 13 or more members. Through this process and our interaction with these
a long time been embedded in its business model.
scholars and their families we see many deserving children getting this needed support.
As one of 6 thematic areas, the Education and
I take this opportunity on behalf of my staff to thank the DSSB for their exceptional
Leadership Development hosts two key programs;
work as well as Equity Bank staff for their support to the Equity Group Foundation and
the Wings To Fly and the University Sponsorship
this program.
Programme. The Wings To Fly is the flagship of the
Let me also thank the Ministry of Education for their support to the selection process
Education pillar and was initiated in 2010 by EGF
of the Wings To Fly 2013 class. The District Education Officers serve as Chairs of the DSSB.
and The MasterCard Foundation with 5000 scholarships valued at USD 40.9 million. The
I thank the Government for the commitment to Kenya’s children demonstrated
program has since attracted other partners, USAID, UKaid, KfW and other individuals and
through provision of free primary education. Majority of these scholars would not have
corporates growing it to a USD 75.6M program with 8,671 scholarships. Because of this
benefitted from this program if their parents had to pay fees for primary schooling. These
support, we are well on our way to realizing the target of 10,000 scholarships.
are the brains, the agents of social transformation and the next generation of leaders
This year, we commissioned 2,907 scholarships supported by The MasterCard
Giving the Wings To Fly
Scholars aspiration.
Equity Bank
University Sponsorship
Programme
This programme benefits the top boy and top girl in
whose contribution to the nation would have been lost forever.
innovators who create opportunities for employment
Nyamawih Charo
for others. To encourage this, the programme runs a
Equity Bank University
competition for the scholars that is aimed at incentivizing
Scholarship Programme
them to be innovative.
alumnus
The Equity Bank University Scholarship Programme
beneficiaries are mentors to the Wings To Fly scholars.
Nyamawih was a beneficiary
Their role is to inculcate a spirit of competitiveness and
of the Equity Bank University
aspiration amongst the Wings To Fly scholars, encouraging
Scholarship Programme in 2007. He is a mentor with
them to perform exceptionally well in the KCSE exams
the Wings To Fly program. He holds a Bachelor of Science
hence giving them a chance to benefit from the University
(Economics and Statistics) degree from Egerton University.
Scholarship Programme.
Charo reminds the Wings To Fly scholars that they are
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in
among the top 5 percentile from their districts in academic
each of the district in the country where Equity Bank has
Purity Mukami Kariuki
performance and their communities are looking up to
a branch. Since 1998, Equity Bank has been sponsoring
Equity Bank University
them as role models.
bright Kenyan students to local universities to study
Scholarship Programme
Lavender Birike
various courses. A total of 1,550 students have benefited
beneficiary
Equity Bank University
Scholarship Programme
from this programme. Out of these, 89 students have so
beneficiary
far won scholarships to Ivy League universities and some
Purity Mukami Kariuki was
of the best universities in other parts of the world in Africa,
among scholars selected for
Europe and Asia.
the Equity Bank University
Lavender
Scholarship Programme
alumnus of Starehe Girls’
Professional Development. The scholars gain some
in 2010. She is pursuing a
Centre, obtained a plain A in KCSE in 2011. She has been
work experience through their internship in Equity Bank
Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Nairobi.
admitted to Cambridge University as the 2012 recipient of
branches. Work ethics and values are inculcated through
She was also among the 100 chaperones for the 2013
the Moody-Stuart scholarship. Lavender, 19, resonates
experience by working at the Bank where they are expected
Wings To Fly scholars whose task was to ensure that the
her future education with that of the Wings To Fly scholars,
to meet their targets.
young scholars were comfortable and reaped enormously
majority of who are in their early teens and are joining
The programme rests on three pillars. The first is
Secondly,
the
program
encourages
Birike,
an
Academic
during the induction programme. Purity has endeavoured
Form I. Upon her graduation, she hopes to use her degree
Excellence. This however is the easy part because the
to raise the Wings To Fly scholars’ self-esteem by sharing
to make a significant impact as Kenya transforms into an
students are selected on the basis of them being the top
her success story to motivate and encourage them.
industrialized, middle-income nation offering its citizens
students in the country. They are expected to keep aspiring
She urges them to aim for top grades and benefit from
a high quality of life by 2030. She urges the Wings To Fly
for better performance and to motivate other students in
university sponsorship like her and in turn get to work
scholars to study hard and with focus and determination,
their former schools and where they come from.
with Equity Bank at a young age, become responsible and
they will be in a position to be taken up by the Equity Bank
respected by parents and society.
University Scholarship Programme to study in top global
The third is Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The
programme aims to make the students proactive; to be
universities like Cambridge University.
“Now is the time for us Africans to take charge of our
destinies.”His Excellency, Festus Mogae, Former President of The Republic of Botswana
This is an exciting time to be a young
African man or woman. It is an especially
exciting time to be a student preparing for
the life and career ahead. This is a time of
change for our continent. The past 20 years
have seen a remarkable growth in the African
middle class, with about 34 per cent living on
between $4 and $20 a day.
Access to technology, particularly mobile
technology, is helping bridge previously
stubborn barriers to education, financial
services, and information. While more young people are receiving
education, the number of young people obtaining a primary, secondary
or university education is still too low. Youth unemployment remains
troublingly high.
This must change. Now is the time for us as Africans to take charge
of our destinies, and show the world what we are capable of. We will
look to the youth for leadership in the future. Whatever careers they
pursue – in education, science, business, engineering, agriculture, or
telecommunications – they will contribute to our country’s development.
They will influence decisions in our communities and serve as role
models for the generation that follows them.
Education is connecting all young people, no matter what their
background or level of education, to sustainable careers. There is
a tremendous need for initiatives like the Wings To Fly program. We
believe that the combination of education, skills training, and career
development activities will help lift young people to prosperity.
“This is a
generation
of hope.”
Reeta Roy, President
and CEO of The
MasterCard Foundation
Looking at the Wings To Fly scholars, I see young and optimistic faces.
I see a “Generation of Hope.” I use those words for a very important
reason. As individuals, each of you has faced difficult, often daunting,
circumstances. But each of you had hope. Because you had hope, you
knew that if you worked hard either in school or by lending a hand to your
families or your communities your lives could improve.
Your optimism comes at an important time in Kenya and in Africa. We
see social and economic progress taking place here. Africa is the world’s
youngest continent. Your generation is achieving so much in schools,
colleges, and universities. As you emerge in adulthood, you are finding
jobs or creating your own – more than ever before.
This is about more than your achievement. This is about how as a
result of the progress young people like you are making your families,
communities and countries also benefit. That is why I talk of a “Generation
of Hope”.
Across Kenya, mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts, grandparents
and guardians, teachers and mentors, are nurturing and guiding you,
while sharing in the circumstances you face.
The MasterCard Foundation works with partners across Africa, where
we see the greatest opportunity for impact. We do so by focusing on two
program areas. We enable opportunity by supporting the delivery of
financial services to those in need. We also work to ensure more young
people get the education and skills training they need to find sustainable
employment, achieve their potential and give back to the community.
Wings To Fly is a project we are particularly proud of. Today, it
shepherds thousands of young Kenyans through their secondary school
education, through the provision of tuition, social support and mentoring.
There are three principles that guide the program:
1. Equality of opportunity. If Kenya is to achieve Vision 2030, we need to remove economic barriers so that the brightest minds in Kenya have an
opportunity to develop and to contribute. There’s also gender equality.
The program provides boys and girls with equal opportunity to learn.
2. Achievement. This program rewards academic achievement. These
young people have demonstrated not only achievement but also
courage and resilience to overcome barriers. We want to enable them
to continue to achieve – in the classroom, in their careers and in their
communities.
3. Giving back to your communities. Most importantly, this program
upholds the value of responsible citizenship and giving back.
Transformation occurs when we invest in one generation and they in
turn invest in generations that follow.
These values are central to the program’s success.
I hope that many of the people here will generously contribute so we
reach our goal of bringing 10,000 young people into the program.
At The MasterCard Foundation, we were deeply impressed by the
Wings to Fly model. In this spirit, we developed our own scholars program
informed by the same values. We’ve committed half a billion dollars
over ten years with the goal of helping 15,000 young people across Africa
access and purse secondary and higher education.
It is my hope that many of the scholars here will go on to pursue higher
studies, perhaps even as MasterCard Foundation Scholars. Regardless,
the coming years hold great promise for Kenya and the continent. There
are phenomenal opportunities that present themselves to the people of
Kenya, as its stature and influence increases in the years to come.
The education and mentoring you receive through Wings to Fly will
serve you well provided you remain committed to your studies, to your
families and to your communities. But I want to emphasize that this will
be your journey. It has been your hard work, your persistence that has
brought you this far. Together, all of us are embarking on a shared journey.
Implemented by:
Wings To Fly
scholars profiles
Sharleen Wanjiru
District/Hometown: Westlands
High school: Karima Girls High School
Sharleen Wanjiru lives in Waruku, a village
in Westlands. She scored 365 marks in KCPE.
Her parents, couldn’t afford to take her to
secondary school. During her primary school,
she at times, had to depend on the benevolence of her teachers for
basic school needs. Sharleen was admitted to Karima Girls High school
and benefited from the Wings To Fly scholarship. With an effervescent
personality, Sharleen, who is also a gifted singer sees her future bright.
Gideon Ekamaris
District/Hometown: Isiolo
High school: Chuka Boys High School
Growing up in the arid Ngaremara Location in
Isiolo County, Gideon Ekamaris and his family
routinely experienced insecurity arising from
communities fighting over scarce resources.
While still young, Ekamaris was separated from his father during an
attack that displaced him from home to live with his grandmother.
Despite the physical and psychological turmoil, Ekamaris managed
to score 378 marks in his KCPE exams to secure the Wings To Fly
scholarship. Now in Form One at Chuka Boys High School, Ekamaris
is working towards his future dream career, Law. He says he wants to
be a successful attorney and mediate in conflicts that have plagued his
region.
Elisha Mazina Oduor
District/Hometown: Rarieda
High school: Alliance High School
Elisha’s family was displaced during the post
election violence in 2008 as he was joining class
four. Having lost all their property they were
given a small piece of land in Rarieda district
where they live in a bare, leaking thatched mud hut. When the DSSB
visited his home, the challenges at home were evident.
fourteen year old Elisha hopes to be an electrical engineer and having
scored 380 points and admission to Alliance Boys High school, he saw
his star brighten only to be dimmed by lack of school fees. But with the
Wings To Fly Scholarship, he got an opportunity to pursue his dreams.
Barissa Mohamed Bahola
District/Hometown: Tana River
High school: Pwani Secondary School for the
Deaf
Barissa holds the record for Tana River County
KCPE exams for hearing impaired students at
315 marks up from the previous record of 243
marks. Coming from a family with 9 children
and with parents without an income, Barissa worked hard motivated by
the possibility of a Wings To Fly scholarship. The former head boy aspires
to be a teacher in order to help children with special needs.
Marvelin Jeruto
District/Hometown: Uasin Gishu
High School: Segero Adventist Secondary
School
Marvelin Jeruto wants to be a doctor. She has
worked closely with doctors and nurses treating
her mother since she fell ill seven years ago
giving her aspiration to pursue medicine with
the hope of ensuring her mother gets quality treatment. Jeruto has
become her mother’s sole caretaker; cooking for her and ensuring she
takes her medication. Jeruto scored 367 marks in her KCPE exams but
she knew it would be impossible to continue with her education unless
someone intervened. She applied for the Wings To Fly scholarship and
qualified.
T
Simeon Menza
District/Hometown: Kilifi
High School: Lenana School
Simeon Menza comes from Dzikunze in Kilifi
County. Farming, the area’s main economic
activity, is hampered by constant drought.
When Menza scored 409 marks in his KCPE and
admitted to Lenana High school, he was skeptical about joining school
until he applied for the Wings To Fly scholarship and qualified. Now
settling in his first year at Lenana High School, Simeon sees his future
paved with success.
Douglas Kipkorir Kiptum (2012)
District/Hometown: Nakuru
Secondary School: Thika High School
Responsibilty: Environment Prefect.
Douglas’s single mother died when the family
lived in Kitale. He decided to run to Nakuru
where he became a street boy. He was later
rescued by a Good Samaritan who gave him shelter at his store.
Currently, Douglas is in Form Two and despite his difficult background,
he is very outgoing. He has adjusted well at Thika High School and is
the Environment Prefect; a position he got due to the fact that he was
always concerned about keeping the school compound clean. Douglas’
performance in class has progressively improved. Aside from doing
well in class, Douglas has made many friends. He interacts freely with
teachers and schoolmates alike, as well as the school’s Principal with
whom he chats freely about his progress and concerns.
Rukia Ali Ibrahim (2011)
District/Hometown: Wajir East
High School: Wajir Girls’ Secondary School
Responsibility: Deputy Head girl
Rukia hails from Wajir East district. She lives
with her uncle and siblings since her parents
passed on. Her ambition as she joined high
school was to become a Doctor. Currently a
Form 3 student at Wajir Girls, Rukia is an exemplary student. She is
the Deputy Headgirl of the school. She is also an active member of the
school’s Debate Club and also a member of the school Volleyball team.
Jackline Ndunge Kasisi (2011)
District/Hometown:Yatta
High School:State House Girls Secondary
School
Responsibility: Assistant Captain of Football
club in the school
Jackline is a total orphan. She lives with her
sibling and their grandmother who is too old
to work. Jackie was the headgirl in her primary school. Currently a
Form 3 student at State House Girls, Jackline has continued to perform
very well, remaining in the top three positions in her class. Jackline
is a member of the Christian Union Evangelism Team as well as the
Chiristian Union Dance Team. In addition to that, she is the Assistant
Captain of the school’s Football team, and is also a member of SCAD
(Students Campaign Against Drugs). She is active in Science Congress
and Math Club. She is one of the most active members of HERIG (Help
Eradicate Rape in the Globe) society in her school.
Seth Chris Owino Odhiambo (2010)
District/Hometown: Vihiga
High school: Nyang’ori High School
Responsibility: School Games captain
Seth is the first born in a family of five. His
mother, who is the family’s bread winner sells
vegetables in the local market. His former
school teacher sponsored him through his
primary education. Seth scored 373 marks in KCPE which earned him a
place in Nyang’ori High School. As he joined the program, Seth declared
that he would like to become a political scientist. In fact he has the
ambition of becoming the president of Kenya in 2035 while in Form 2, he
became the deputy school captain. And in Form 3 he was appointed the
School Games captain, a position he still holds now at Form 4. He is also
an active member in the school’s Drama and Music societies.
Naila Hilali Mohamed (2010)
District/Hometown: Msambweni
High school: Matuga Girls High School
Responsibility: Assistant Chairperson of the
Wildlife Club
Naila’s parents are unemployed. They take
care of their own six children as well as their
relatives’s children, mostly orphans, who have
lost their parents due to illness. Naila attained 355 marks and was
admitted at Matuga Girls High School. Naila has consistently performed
well and is now in Form 4. She was the Deputy School Captain from
2011 to 2012. She is also the Assisant Chairperson of the Wildlife Club
at the school.
Elsie Jepkemboi Tuwei (2011)
District/Hometown: Nandi North
High school: Itigo Girls High School
Responsibility: Class Representative in the
Student Council
Elsie was abandoned by her parents when she
was young and was collected and taken care of
by a well wisher whom she lives with to date.
She does not know any of her relatives. Her primary school teachers
assisted her through primary school. Now a Form 3 student, has
maintained excellent grades and is consistently at the top of her class.
She is a Class Representative in the Student Council which is a group of
students that takes part in decision-making in the school in conjunction
with the school administration. She also takes part in Debate Club and
is an all-round student.
Rose Sintamei Moloimet(2011)
District/Hometown: Loitoktok
High school: Alliance Girls High School
Rose is the eighth born in a family of eleven. Her
parents are elderly and hence do not work. Were
it not for the scholarship, Sintamei would likely
have been married off so that the family could
benefit financially. Having scored 368 marks in
her KCPE, she earned herself a place at Alliance Girls. She plans to
be an auditor. While in Form 2, she was selected to go on an exchange
program in the United Kingdom where students of Alliance High School
and Alliance Girls took part in a 3-week program with Sir John Leman
High School in Britain. The selection was on the basis of academic
performance as well as leadership and involvement in extra-curricular
activities.
Job Gachie Waithaka( 2010)
District/Hometown: Nyahururu
High school: Maseno School
Job and his family were displaced during the
2008 post election violence and were taken in
by a good samaritan at Jua Cali, Nyahururu . He
has five siblings and he is the first born. Both
he and his brother, Martin Mwangi, required school fees for form one
as their mother who is a single parent was not in a position to support
them through high schoool. She is a casual worker who struggles to put
food on the table for the family with her small income. Job’s ambition is
to become a doctor. He attained 394 marks out of KCPE which earned
him a place at Maseno School.
Vincent O Momanyi (2011)
District/Hometown: Keroka
High school: Cardinal Otunga High School,
Mosocho
Responsibility: Deputy Head boy
Simon lives with his mother. His mother is a
peasant farmer who struggles hard to cater for
the family’s basic needs. Currently in Form 3 at
Cardinal Otunga High School, Vincent has been top in his class since he
joined Form 1. He is the school Deputy Head boy and has participated
in Science Congress up to national level. His performance is a clear
indication of his commitment to his ambition of becoming a doctor.
he Wings To Fly scholarships are given to top performing pupils ranked in the top 5 percentile in the Kenya Certificate of
whose parents are living with HIV/AIDS or other chronic debilitating illness and are unable to educate them; children from families
Primary Education (KCPE) exam and who are economically and socially marginalized, from every district where Equity Bank
affected by natural disasters such as flooding, drought, and famine or civil conflict and are unable to educate them; children who
has a branch. Only children from needy backgrounds who would otherwise not afford to join Form 1 without financial support
have suffered neglect and/or abandonment and children with parents living under extreme poverty and are unable to educate
are considered for the scholarships for instance: children who have lost one or both parents and have no guardian or sponsor to
them. The Wings To Fly scholarship caters for school fees, books, uniform, transport, shopping and pocket money for the four
provide for their education; children whose parents are physically or mentally disabled and are unable to educate them; children
years of secondary school.
Implemented by:
“With a good education, you will
raise strong families, create wealth
in a growing economy and lead
your country forward.”
“Young people
are the future of a
country.”
US Ambassador to Kenya, His Excellency, Robert F. Godec
I congratulate the Wings To Fly scholars for the
excellent academic work they have done. I have
heard from our US Mission team – who participated
in the Wings To Fly interview process – that many of
these scholars have overcome great challenges to
be here.
They have dedicated themselves to their studies
and excelled in their exams. I admire their resolve
and applaud them for being selected for the Wings
To Fly program.
There are few, if any, investments we make
in life more important than the investments in
our children. That is why this year the American
people, through the US Agency for International
Development have increased their investment in
the Wings To Fly Program by USD 9 million, ensuring
that an additional 1,000 students – all of whom are
seated here today – will receive further education.
In total, the U.S. Government is investing nearly
USD 27 million – or Ksh 2.3 billion – in the Wings To
Fly program and supports more than 3,100 students
from every district in Kenya. Why are we doing this?
Why are we investing millions of dollars – billions
of shillings?
With a good education, you will raise strong
families, create wealth in a growing economy,
and lead your country forward. Wings To Fly is our
commitment – the commitment of the American
people – to help children become a success. And
through your achievements, to help Kenya build a
better future.
You have many good examples of achievement
around you. Many people here today are leaders
in their fields. Several of them have invested in
this program and we appreciate and welcome
their partnership. This kind of co-operation by the
private sector is growing in Kenya. Equity Bank and
MasterCard, for example, are playing a leading role
in helping Kenya reach its development goals.
The goal of Vision 2030 is that in that year,
Kenya will be a globally competitive and prosperous
country where its citizens enjoy a high quality of life.
And the Wings To Fly scholars will be at the center of
that new Kenya. In 2030, they will be the leaders,
the business owners, the parents, the farmers,
the doctors, and the teachers moving this country
forward.
The education, training, and support they
receive as part of the Wings To Fly scholarship and
leadership program provides their gateway to that
future. It is now up to these scholars to ensure
Kenya is built on a foundation of peace, prosperity,
and equality.
In conclusion, I am happy that the American
people, through the US Mission in Kenya, can
contribute to your education and through you to the
future of Kenya. With creativity, determination and
hard work I know your future – and the future of all
Kenyans – can be very bright indeed.
On behalf of President Obama and the American
people, congratulations to all the Wings To Fly 2013
scholars and I wish them the very best.
“Education brings social
and economic benefits
to Kenyans.”
His Excellency Dr Christian Turner
British High Commissioner to Kenya
Since the launch of the program in 2010, UKaid has contributed 600 scholarships with about USD 5M. This support is another
example of the deep partnership between Kenya and the UK. Our desire is to work with the Kenyan people to unleash
potential of its human capital and deliver the ever greater growth for prosperity. Over the past 5 years, we have invested more
than Ksh 4.5 billion in trying to get more children into Kenyan schools to support you in improving the quality education that
they receive. We believe in empowering the youth through education for 3 reasons:
• Education brings benefits to the country. It’s one of the foundations for economic growth and for every additional year of
“Today is just the beginning,
it is where you go from here
that matters.”
Message by Hon. Mutula Kilonzo, EGH, EBS.
Minister for Education delivered on his behalf
by Professor George Godia, PS for Education
The Wings To Fly program goes a long way in achieving our
Vision 2030 agenda which has the objective of investing in the
young people of Kenya in order to improve the quality of life for all Kenyans. Since inception in 2010, this
program has been an important source of support to many promising students. This year 2,907 scholars
have received their scholarships. I must express my delight at this impressive number. This also tells us
that the inception of free primary education in 2003 has seen phenomenal growth in the Kenya Certificate
of Primary Education (KCPE) examination candidates.
The Wings To Fly scholarship program highlights the role of education in realizing our goals as a
Her Excellency
Margit Hellwig-Botte
German Ambassador to Kenya
Young people are the future of a country.
Therefore, an investment in young people is an
investment in the future. I would like to commend
His Excellency the President of Kenya, Hon. Mwai
Kibaki, for introducing free primary education in
Kenya. That’s why Kenya is well ahead of other
African countries in terms of access to education.
But not every gifted child has access to
secondary education because many families
cannot afford to pay school fees. Therefore more
needs to be done to bring the country to the next
level and to allow bright and brilliant students,
especially from needy families and marginalized
regions in Kenya to attend secondary schools and
universities.
The Wings To Fly scholarship program helps to
fill this gap. It helps to create more opportunities
and more equality in access to higher education.
And it is guided by a vision of transforming
leadership in Kenya.
German Development Cooperation through
KfW, the German Development Bank, is proud
to partner with Equity Group Foundation in this
endeavour by providing an amount of Ksh 22
million for scholarships under this program.
Two hundred and ten girls and one hundred
and forty boys will benefit from the German
contribution and be supported throughout their
secondary education.
Moreover, since 2004, Germany has
supported the Kenyan education sector through
KfW by making available grants of more than
Ksh 4 billion for the construction of primary and
secondary schools in Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi
and Nakuru.
Fifteen primary schools have been financed
already, another fifteen to twenty will follow in
the next three years. Classrooms for more than
forty thousand students have been or will be
constructed.
This year Kenya will turn 50. Germany
was the first country to recognize Kenya after
independence. In all these years, Germany has
been a reliable partner and friend to the Kenyan
people and we will continue to do so.
schooling children receive, Kenyans can expect an increase in GDP of up to 1 percent.
• Education brings benefits to individuals in Kenya. For each additional year of schooling the total amount that an
individual can expect to earn over their lifetime increases by about 15 percent.
• Education brings social benefits. More education is linked with greater democracy, stability and security.
We also see the benefits of focusing on girls’ education. Out of UKaid’s 600 scholarships to the Wings To Fly program, 400
scholarships are for girls. This is because research shows that educating girls is one of the best investments in poverty
mitigation. And as you have heard, perhaps more important than the 3 reasons is that education gives us power to realize our
dreams.
I personally was a beneficiary of scholarships in my country and if you said to me when I was of school age that I would end
up as British High Commissioner to Kenya, I simply would not have believed you. That is the power of education and aspiration.
It is also why we are supporting this program. You hold great leadership promise for this country; you are role models for your
schools and communities. You represent the promise of the bright and exciting future for Kenya.
In that spirit of partnership and friendship, I would like to once again celebrate achievement by these students. You are an
inspiration to us all and congratulations to you, your parents and teachers. I am confident that the Wings To Fly Program will
surpass its target of 10,000 scholarships awarded and I look forward to being part of that.
developing nation. As the Minister for Education, one of my tasks is to realize one of our government’s
objectives to help prepare and equip Kenyan youth with the skills they will need for life in a world economy.
The Wings To Fly scholars are a testament that our future as a country is indeed prosperous. For they are our
future, their success will be our country’s success.
The Ministry of Education is committed to providing appropriate education programs for all Kenyan
children. With the support of organizations such as the Equity Group Foundation and The MasterCard
Foundation we will make good progress in making education more inclusive and accessible to children
who come from disadvantaged backgrounds across all regions. Besides the support provided by voluntary
welfare organizations, the community also plays an important role in helping students grow and overcoming
their challenges.
To the scholars, if you’ve learned anything in your primary school education, I hope it’s that education
should be for the exhilaration of learning, rather than material advantage. You will learn too, I hope, that
wisdom is the chief element of happiness as Sophocles assured us. I also hope you will learn enough to
recognize how little you know now, for today is just the beginning. It’s where you go from here that matters.
I hope the Wings To Fly program successes that we celebrate will inspire more organizations to join us
in this journey to build Kenya into an all-inclusive nation. Once again, my heartiest congratulations to the
Wings To Fly 2013 class and I wish them all every success in your future endeavours.