Making it to Medical School against All Odds
August 2, 2024
Promoting Economic and Social Empowerment for Women in Kilifi
August 2, 2024
Established in 1997, the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) is a public philanthropic foundation dedicated to fostering sustainable community-driven development. One of KCDF’s primary focus areas is education, with the overarching goal of increasing enrollment, progression, and transition across various learning levels, with the community playing a central role in supporting enhanced learning outcomes.
Guided by KCDF’s tagline, emphasizing “people, giving, and working together,” the foundation actively promotes organized local giving. It runs an initiative under its education thematic area that encourages both individual and corporate contributions to make a difference for needy and deserving students seeking financial support through high school, university, and vocational training institutions.
Wendy Adhola is a student who has benefited from such philanthropy, as an anonymous individual donor generously covered her high school education fees from form one through form four. Born in 2004, Wendy is the third of five siblings. Her father, a preacher and farmer, and her mother, dependent on casual work, faced challenges in the village in Migori County. Wendy, along with one of her brothers, found refuge with a cousin in Nairobi, where she attended KU Primary School.
Reflecting on her childhood, Wendy admitted a lack of focus on her future until reaching class eight. Despite the prevailing trend among her peers opting for local day schools, Wendy harbored ambitious dreams of attending a National School. Undeterred, she selected Kenya High School, driven by the belief that small steps could lead to her aspirations, regardless of her parents’ financial constraints.
Wendy’s outstanding performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations, scoring an impressive 429 marks and emerging as the top candidate in her class, paved the way for her dream of attending Kenya High School. Faced with financial uncertainties, Wendy’s father sought scholarship opportunities, and KCDF became the last resort. Wendy’s father seized the opportunity at KCDF, where an individual donor stepped forward to cover Wendy’s school fees throughout high school.
“When I was told my fees would be catered for, at first I couldn’t believe it because we had tried all these other places, and we had not succeeded. Actually, this news came three days before my admission to Kenya High School. At that point, I had lost hope, but I was happy,” shared Wendy.
In 2019, Wendy realized her dream of joining Kenya High School. “I got to join high school, and it was not challenging as I was not worried about my fees anymore. I just survived through high school to the very end. My sponsor covered my school fees, and my dad, on the other hand, covered my upkeep. I went to high school without any challenges,” recounted Wendy.
During the second term of Form one, Wendy had the opportunity to meet her sponsor, whom she described as pleasant. During their interaction, Wendy’s sponsor expressed curiosity about her future after high school and what she aspired to pursue.
After receiving her KCSE results, Wendy wrote a letter to her sponsor expressing her gratitude, determination, and aspirations for the future. Part of the letter read:
Four years ago, I was uncertain whether I would join highschool or not. This was due to the challenge that threateningly at my family and I; the lack of school fees. This nearly shattered my dreams into pieces. It was then that you came through at an opportune time and opened doors where all had once been shut. Had it not been for you, who knows what would have become of me. I have nothing to give you other than my gratitude…..thank you so much having paid my school fees for four years. I would like to assure you that this is not the end of my journey but rather the beginning.
“I’d like to say that I’m very grateful to KCDF because KCDF is the one that connected me to my sponsor. If it were not for KCDF I would not have got the chance to go to my dream high school”, says Wendy.
Wendy is currently enrolled as a student at Embu University, passionately pursuing her dream of obtaining a Bachelor of Laws. While she successfully secured a portion of her school fees through the Higher Education Loans Board, she faces a challenge covering the remaining expenses. Wendy would greatly appreciate the support of a kind-hearted well-wisher who could assist in bridging this financial gap and ensuring her continued pursuit of academic excellence.
“I’m looking forward to a successful academic progress in campus and achieving a first-class honors”, says Wendy.
Wendy’s narrative remains incomplete without insights from her anonymous sponsor, whose identity is confidential.
How did you first learn about KCDF’s opportunity to support a learner through their secondary school education? I got to learn of this opportunity through a former KCDF colleague, who was extremely passionate about this cause and encouraged me to use this platform to reach out to the community.
Why did you choose KCDF and not any other donate programme out there? I liked the fact that l would get constant feedback on her progress, l could visit her in school if l wanted and more importantly, if l wanted to connect with the student, KCDF could allow that interaction.
What motivated you to be involved in supporting Wendy through her secondary school education? It was an easy decision to make, support the community in any way that l could and what a student Wendy was! She was diligent and moreso, the former KCDF colleague sold me onto a great idea!
How did u feel when she scored such good grades in her final secondary school exams? It was an amazing feeling and gave thanks to God immediately. She deserved it.
Have you had a chance to interact with Wendy? What can you say about her? I met her once when she and her dad came to my office! Albeit I had wanted to be an anonymous supporter but the father was pretty adamant that he wanted to meet me. So one day l get a call from reception that Wendy was at the reception. It was a short meeting as l was busy in the office. She was quiet and reserved and was quick to add that she would not let me down….but my response to her was to do her utmost best and when she would be able to, to also lend a hand.
What advice would you give to others who are considering supporting a child’s education? If your heart pulls you to do it, do not ignore that call.
Reflecting on your experience, what have you learned personally or gained from being a giver and supporting Wendy through their secondary school education? There is no end to giving, make it part of your life albeit quietly ? One should not expect a reward of sorts but to do it wholeheartedly. God is really really really good!
KCDF is calling upon individuals and organizations interested in making a positive change to partner with us in giving an equal opportunity through:
- Provision of education scholarships and upkeep
- Signing up to become career mentors
- Providing linkages for/to apprenticeship and coaching
- Providing linkages for/to internships and entry-level job opportunities
Call: +254 722 168 480 or +254 736 449 217
Email: education@kcdf.or.ke
