There is a seed of greatness in me!

KCDF and the Chandaria Foundation through the scholarship really pushed me to work hard. I had to maintain a progressive academic record, as I had a target to attain, so that they could continue supporting me. This support served as a motivating force, propelling me to exert even more effort, fully aware that a valuable reward awaited me in the form of my school fees cheque.

The budding software engineer, LENOX ISINDU, is a true enthusiast of the ever-evolving Information Technology field that continues to fascinate him every single day. With a passion for coding and programming, the 20-year-old dedicates most of his time to honing his skills on the computer screen. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge propels him to continually acquire new skills, explore innovative technologies, and remain at the forefront in the ever-evolving IT landscape. “In the near future, my goal is to develop a software that can truly transform people’s lives. I am committed to putting in the hard work and establishing a prominent brand for myself,” declares Lenox, a first-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student, at Zetech University.

But before this, Lenox has his eyes set on working with the world’s leading developer of personal computer software systems and applications, Microsoft Corporation. His motivation? “I have to build a solid foundation for the future for my family. I have to start from scratch and build a home.”

His cousin, Nevil, an accomplished IT expert, serves as his invaluable mentor, according to Lenox. “I hold great admiration for him as he has achieved remarkable professional growth. He has even had the opportunity to work on software engineering projects abroad and currently contributes his expertise to the Judiciary. I actively engage in various projects, with Nevil offering his insightful evaluations and guidance. Together, we are steadily making progress toward our goals.”

Lenox was born in Shimanyiro village in Kakamega County, where he spent most of his childhood. “My father practiced small-scale farming, while my mother was a teacher who sadly passed on in 2012. I am the firstborn, I have a younger brother and I also had a sister who passed on in 2017.”

Lenox’s educational journey began at Imani Junior Primary School in Kakamega town, where he studied until Standard Three, after which his mother passed away. This event led to him and his younger siblings returning to their village to live with their father. However, in Standard Five, they relocated to Nairobi, specifically to the Umoja Inner-Core Estate, where they resided with a guardian. “My father ventured to South Sudan for business purposes during this time. We were enrolled at By Faith Junior Academy within the Umoja estate. Since then, we have been considered a part of our guardian’s family and I view her son and daughter as my own siblings.”

A Second Mother

Lenox is grateful for having a second mother as his guardian, Ludy-card Achira, a nurse, who has since relocated to Eldoret town where she is working. In 2017, after I had sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), it is Ludy-card who asked around where I could get assistance to join secondary school and was referred to the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) offices.

By then, his father had lost his business in South Sudan when war broke out and his premises were razed down. All his stock went up in smoke. He did not salvage anything. “I can remember that evening when he arrived in Nairobi empty-handed. He looked so beaten by life. I decided not to bother him with many questions. Then we moved back to our rural home where he continued with his farming.” However, the little that he earned from farming could not afford to send Lenox to Maranda High School, a national school, where he had been invited for admission.

“He explained to me that he would not be able to afford the school fees, but instead suggested that I join a local day secondary school in the village.”

Ludy-card took the initiative and personally visited the KCDF offices with Lenox’s KCPE results and his admission letter. “With my score of 402 marks, she believed I deserved a more promising opportunity. Fortunately, KCDF recognized my performance, and after an interview, they granted me a partial scholarship.”

In collaboration with KCDF, the Chandaria Foundation’s education scholarship program extends partial scholarship grants to students from underprivileged backgrounds for their secondary education. To cover the remaining balance, Lenox’s father diligently applied for bursaries and financial support from the constituency development fund (CDF).

Made Me Feel ‘Very Special And Loved’

At the end of every school term, Lenox would write a letter on his academic progress, attach his end-of-term report and send it to KCDF via email. “Knowing that there was someone out there spending their finances on me made me feel very special and loved. I saw The Chandaria Foundation and KCDF as people who really cared for me.”

He is grateful for KCDF and the Chandaria Foundation for enabling him to study in Maranda School for four years. “In Maranda, there are many resources for students to attain their academic goals – fully stocked libraries and laboratories – and a community of people who are thirsty for knowledge, which makes it easy to learn from each other.”

At Maranda, Lenox excelled in both academics and extra-curricular activities. “KCDF and the Chandaria Foundation through the scholarship really pushed me to work hard. I had to maintain a progressive academic record, as I had a target to attain, so that they could continue supporting me. This support served as a motivating force, propelling me to exert even more effort, fully aware that a valuable reward awaited me in the form of my school fees cheque.”

Lenox actively engaged in the school’s hockey team, concurrently honing his leadership abilities. “I assumed the role of Environment Prefect starting from Form Two. By Form Three, I rose to the position of Senior Prefect, and in Form Four, I served as the Assistant Environmental Captain.” These roles not only enriched his administrative skills but also nurtured his leadership capabilities.

In 2021, he sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE) and attained a mean grade of B plain. “I immediately wrote to KCDF thanking them for the support that they had accorded me. I also attached my KCSE results.”

In February 2023, KCDF contacted Lenox via email and expressed that they were impressed by his performance and that they wanted to give him another chance to continue learning. “This was timely, I had just joined Zetech University,” he says.

Subsequently, he had the opportunity to attend a two-day life skills workshop organized by KCDF in Nairobi, in March 2023. This workshop proved to be immensely beneficial, equipping him with a range of practical skills. “I learned how to effectively present myself through emails and letters, and I am now confident that I’ll be well-prepared for job interviews in the near future. Additionally, we received valuable lessons on the importance of savings, which motivated me to open a current account.”

His newfound self-confidence faced a significant test during the workshop. “Addressing a conference room filled with around 40 people was a defining moment for me, taking my confidence to a whole new level.”

Warm People At Kcdf

Lenox holds KCDF’s personnel in high regard and has this to say about them: “While KCDF maintains a strict focus on educational performance, a genuine friendship evolves between the scholars and the officials. The warmth and willingness to listen from the KCDF team makes a significant difference.”

The scholarship award covers my tuition fees, and I also receive a generous Sh.25,000 grant from KCDF. “I have been putting into practice the budgeting skills I acquired during the workshop. First and foremost, I allocate a portion to savings, and then I carefully plan how to utilize the remaining funds for rent, transportation, stationery, food, clothing, hygiene, and other essentials.”

I’m an active member of the ‘KCDF SCHOLARS’ WhatsApp group, a vibrant community of students supported by the Chandaria Foundation Education Scholarship in partnership with KCDF. “The group is expertly chaired by Elly Onyango, the assistant program officer for education at KCDF, and it serves as an invaluable platform for information and education. Here, we can seek answers to our questions and pool our ideas together. The group has proven to be a tremendous asset, as it shares opportunities for internships and provides e-resources to enhance our skillsets. The networking opportunities are boundless.”

Lenox envisions becoming a benefactor to the community of scholars soon, recognizing the profound impact of the scholarship. “The sense of responsibility towards the wider community compels me to extend my support. This scholarship program should continue to grow and benefit more individuals.”

In addition to his aspirations to support others, Lenox is actively working on implementing a side hustle, an idea he gleaned from the workshop. With a long-standing passion for photography, he and a few friends have acquired a camera and started conducting photoshoots around the campus. “In the future, I may even consider developing it into a side business.”

A freelance photographer, Lenox is always available on call and charges Sh.100 for a single picture. They market the business on Instagram as D² Photography, and the YouTube Channel is Goodtimesentertainment.