Relief as 1,544 girls get education scholarships

Beneficiaries of scholarships provided by Shining Hope for Communities in Nairobi, on April 28, 2025. [James Omoro, Standard]

As schools reopen, 1,544 girls, including teenage mothers, have been awarded full scholarships to complete their education.

The students, drawn from various sub-counties in Nairobi, come from low-income families, mainly residing in Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, and other informal settlements.

The scholarships, provided by the local non-governmental organisation (NGO) Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco), cover full tuition fees from the beneficiaries’ current grade through to Form Four, school uniforms, and a special re-entry support package for teenage mothers.

It is estimated that more than 13,000 girls in Kenya drop out of school each year due to pregnancy. Nairobi, which records a significant number of teenage pregnancies, is particularly affected due to widespread economic hardship.

Speaking during the scholarship launch in Nairobi on Friday, Shofco CEO Kennedy Odede said the organisation believes in the power of education to transform lives.

“Education should not be a privilege; it should be a right. These young minds have shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Today, we are not just awarding scholarships — we are investing in future leaders and changemakers,” said Dr Odede.

Shofco has already awarded more than 4,000 scholarships to girls in Nairobi this year. “Our high school scholarships target needy, but bright girls who have dropped out or are struggling to pay school fees. Among today’s recipients are 159 teen mothers who now have a second chance to better their lives,” he added.

One of the beneficiaries, 15-year-old Michelle Omondi from Pangani Girls, shared her story during the event. “There were times I thought I’d have to drop out and start working to support my family. This scholarship means everything to me — it’s not just money, it’s hope,” she said.

Parents and guardians, many in tears, watched their daughters receive their scholarships on stage. Maureen Isinga, a parent of a student at Huruma Girls, said her daughter had fee arrears and feared she would not return to school this term.

Shofco aims to reach 11,000 vulnerable girls with scholarships across Kenya. Under its education programme, the organisation also runs two schools — Kibera School for Girls and Mathare School for Girls — which serve 580 students. These pupils receive full sponsorship from Grades One to Eight, alongside vital services such as healthcare and water for themselves and their families.

Last year, the organisation reached 5.1 million Kenyans directly across 35 counties with essential services including healthcare, water provision, savings and credit co-operatives, scholarships, gender services, and women and youth empowerment initiatives.