Dennis is the 3^rd child in a family of 5 children from Shinyanga, Tanzania.  Dennis graduated high school in 2009 after having to take several years off while his family raised funds for his school fees. His father died in 2003 which has made his family’s financial situation very difficult.

Dennis completed the Canada World Youth Exchange Program in 2007. He has been motivated since this volunteer experience to work in a field that is both environmentally sustainable and focused on community development

Dennis is hoping to study Procurement and Supply Management at the College of Business Education in Mwanza, Tanzania.  There is a demand in Tanzania for Procurement and Supply Managers to work with NGOs that are operating in the country due to a new law that has passed that requires them.  Dennis believes that if he does this training he will be able to secure himself a career that will give back to his community.

His course will last for 2 years and each year the course will cost a total of $835 CDN. His family is doing their best to contribute to his living expenses while he is at school but they won’t be able to pay for his full course fees.  Please consider donating to help Dennis better his future and the future of his community.  His program will start in March 2014.  Education is Power needs his first payment of $415 by February 28th at the latest. Otherwise he will have to wait until September.

Photo: Dennis in Shinyanga,Tanzania

Proposed Student:  Paul Wahugo

Proposed School Program:  Kenyan secondary education

Paul Writes:

My name is Paul Wahugo Njogu.  I am from Kimende, Kenya in Kenya’s Central Province.  I was born on the 27^th of November 1990.  I am the first born in a family of six.  I finished primary school in 2006.  I schooled at Matathia Primary School near Kimende, Kenya.  I joined escarpment secondary school in 2008, where my parents were struggling to pay for my school fees and eventually could not afford them, which led to me dropping out of school.

Since then I have been at home doing lots of household and farm work.  I am trying to find someone who can support me to go back to secondary school in order for me to fulfill my career dream.  For each day I dream to be a politician who is going to bring change in my community and if I can get any support I believe I will make it. 

I kindly request your support to help me to finish secondary school, which I think will greatly help me succeed in life.  Once I am educated I believe I will get a good job and I will be able to help my family, relatives, neighbors and my community at large. 

I really like the idea of what Education is Power is doing.  It helps the young people who have the capability to help their communities. I would kindly request the well wishers to help me go back to school because I know education is a treasure and would not like other young people to experience what I have gone through in life living in poverty in my home. 

It would not be possible for me to go school without outside help because my family is not able to raise the required amount for me to go to school. Some members of my extended family do not know the importance of education since they themselves did not go to school.

I had also tried to get funding from the constituency development fund but they do not support students continuously. 

Future goals

I would like to be an engineer and complete university.  Once I am employed, I believe I will be able to support my family and my community by helping those in needs especially with obtaining an education.

Note:   Paul has been forced to change secondary schools and start from the begining.  This is do to his large debt at Escarpment Secondary School, and the fact that it has been too long  for him to have well retained all that he learned in his one and a half years of secondary school at Escarpment.  His former teacher from Matahia Primary School advised paul that it was not worth paying the huge balanced that he owed at Escapment Secondary, and that it after his time away from school it would not be a good start to begin at year two.  Paul is now attending Mbau-ini Secondary School as of February 2010.  Mbau-ini is also located close to Kimende, Kenya, which is 60km North West of Nairobi.

Proposed Student: Saleh Stephen Ngila
Proposed School Program: Public Secondary School in Kenya

Saleh graduated from Lokusero Primary School in the Il Ngwesi region of Kenya. He lives in a rural masaai village and walks several kilometers each morning and afternoon in order to attend classes at Lokusero. He recently finished standard 8, the highest level of education available to him without external financial assistance.

Saleh finished standard 8 with very high marks and has, more often than not, received the highest marks in the class on tests and compositions throughout the year, regardless of subject.

Saleh’s favorite and most impressive subject is English. Unlike most of his peers, Saleh is very confident in his spoken English and is the first to
volunteer to speak in front of the class. His written compositions are the best in the class, showing his comfort with the English language, his thrid language spoken fluently, and his creativity in story telling and problem
solving.

Saleh is the only student from his class who, during breaks between classes, would often stay in the classroom, finishing or correcting assignments, studying or reading.

Saleh’s education is his passion but, because of his family’s financial situation, it is unlikely that he will be able to move on to secondary school without financial assistance.

There is no government day secondary school close to Saleh’s home so his most affordable option for secondary school is a government boarding school. The government subsidizes 10,500 KSH of the 31 550KSH yearly cost of boarding school. So this leaves Saleh 21 050 KSH ($285 USD) short of school fees. His family is able to contribute some but nowhere near enough.

Proposed Student:  Takuo Maiyani

Proposed School Program:  Secondary School in Kenya

Takuo has graduated from Lokusero Primary School in the Il
Ngwesi region of Kenya.  Wherby in December 2009 he  finished
standard 8, the highest level of education that is available
to him without financial assistance.

Takuo finished the year with very good marks and has scored
in the top five in the class in nearly every standardized
test.  His favorite subject is math and although
english is not one of his favorite subjects, he in the most
willing, out of everyone in his standard 8 class, to speak out, express his opinion, offer suggestions, and speak for himself and his peers, be it in his mother tongue of Masaai, his national language of Swahili, or the language in which his education is offered, English. He is one of the very few students bold and confident enough to approach members of authority with questions, concerns, or just to
talk. 

There is no government day secondary school close to Takuo’s home so his most affordable option for secondary school is a government boarding school. The government subsidizes 10,500 KSH of the 31 550KSH yearly cost of boarding school. So this leaves Takuo 21 050 KSH ($285 USD) short of school fees. His family is able to contribute some but nowhere near enough.

Proposed Student: Paulo Kisio

Proposed School Program: Public Secondary School in Kenya

I had the opportunity to teach Math and English to Paulo, and I found him to be one of the smartest children in the grade 8 class. He was one of the boys who seemed to always have his hand up, ready to give to the correct answer.

Secondary school was unaffordable to Paulo’s family since Paulo completed grade 8 last year with good marks. He now has decided to repeat grade 8 in hopes that he will be able to find someone to help sponsor him to move onto high school. At the same to he will improve his marks and be more prepared for high school if he can find a sponsor.

More information to come on Paulo’s biography….

There is no government day secondary school close to Paulo’s home so his most affordable option for secondary school is a government boarding school. The government subsidizes 10,500 KSH of the 30 000 KSH yearly cost of boarding school. So this leaves Paulo 19 500 KSH ($265 USD) short of school fees. His family is able to contribute some but nowhere near enough.

Proposed Student: Ndondo Solomon

Proposed School Program: Public Secondary School in Kenya

Ndondo is 16 years old. He is the youngest of four brothers and four sisters. His four sisters are married with children as are two of his brothers. One of his brothers is in his second year of high school after receiving outside assistance from Borana Farm (They are not in a position to help Solomon). His parents are married and keep livestock of a small amount of goats, cows, and sheep. His family depends on relief food from the government.

Solomon’s favorite subject is science. He likes playing and coaching football (soccer). He says he wants to be a community leader and help others after his studies. One of his ideas is to help local farmers with water shortage problems.

Solomon has finished primary school with good grades but does not have the money to move onto secondary school. He is currently repeating grade 8 in hopes that he will be able to find someone to help sponsor him to move onto high school. At the same to he will improve his marks and be more prepared for high school if he can find a sponsor.

There is no government day secondary school close to Solomon’s home so his most affordable option for secondary school is a government boarding school. The government subsidizes 10,500 KSH of the 31 550KSH yearly cost of boarding school. So this leaves Solomon 21 050 KSH ($285 USD) short of school fees. His family is able to contribute some but nowhere near enough.

Proposed Student: Makam Mayaini

Home Place: Il Ngwesi, Kenya

Proposed school Program: Public Secondary School in Kenya

Makam is 14 years old and in grade seven. Makam has special responsibilities to be the timekeeper and bell ringer to notify the change of each period. This responsibility helps to demonstrate his leadership and eagerness to achieve. Makam is unable to move onto secondary school without outside help.

Makam walks 5kms (each way) to school daily. He has 3 sisters and 7 brothers.  He is a middle child and has older siblings that never went to primary school. Three of his brothers and 2 of his sisters are married. His mother has small shop in Nandugoro (the village where he lives). His mom has two cows and some sheep and goats, which is not enough to support Makam to go to secondary school. His parents are separated and he has only ever seen his father once. His favourite subject is social studies. He likes running and wants to be a doctor. He wants to help his community, and wants to help others go to school if he is able to get the chance.

There is no government day secondary school close to Makam’s home so his most affordable option for secondary school is a government boarding school. The government subsidizes 10,500 KSH of the 30 000KSH yearly cost of boarding school. So this leaves Makam 19 500 KSH ($265 USD) short of school fees. His family is able to contribute some but nowhere near enough.

Proposed Student: Elina Kisio

Home Place: Il Ngwesi, Kenya

Proposed school Program: Public Secondary School in Kenya

Elina is among the girls at Lokusero Primary School who will not be able to move onto secondary school without outside help. The number of girls at Lokusero that are even in a position to move onto secondary school is very few.

Elina is 15 years old, and in Grade 7 at Lokusero Primary School. She has recently become a boarder (after this was made available by the Enkerai Education Trust) to avoid the 12km roundtrip daily walk to school. Her favourite subject is science. Her parents are small scale farmers in the rainy season when farming is possible. Her family depends on relief food from the government. She has two sisters and four brothers. She lives with her mom. Her dad lives in 1.5 hours away in Nanyuki and she barely ever sees him. She likes preaching, praying, and singing and wants to be a nurse.

There is no government day secondary school close to Elina’s home so her most affordable option for secondary school is a government boarding school. The government subsidizes 10,500 KSH of the 30 000KSH yearly cost of boarding school. So this leaves Elina 19 500 KSH ($265 USD) short of school fees. Her family is able to contribute some but nowhere near enough.

Proposed Student: Tokosian Sakui

Home Place: Il Ngwesi, Kenya

Proposed school Program: Public Secondary School in Kenya

Tokosian is a very serious student who achieves good marks. He will soon be starting his last year of primary school of which afterwards he will not be able to move onto secondary school without outside assistance.

Tokosian is 15 years old and in grade 7 at Lokusero Primary School. He is not a boarder because boarding is not available for grade 7 boys. He presently walks 7km (each way) to school each day. His favourite subjects are Math and Science. He is an orphan after his parents died 7 years ago. He now lives with his older brother who is married.

He has three brothers who are currently looking after animals. His two younger sisters are in lower classes at primary school. He would like to be an engineer or teacher and would really like to help his community.

There is no government day secondary school close to Tokosian’s home so his most affordable option for secondary school is a government boarding school. The government subsidizes 10,500 KSH of the 30 000KSH yearly cost of boarding school. So this leaves Tokosian 19 500 KSH ($265 USD) short of school fees. His family is able to contribute some but nowhere near enough.

UPDATES

(see Freshiah’s profile below)

Photo:  Freshiah speaks on how Education is Power has helped her at an EIP event in Kimende, Kenya, February 10th, 2013.

Click here for Freshiah’s April 2015 Appreciation Letter

November 5, 2014

Freshiah writes:

I am so happy to be at Kenyatta university pursuing bachelor of commerce. I have been in the university for two semesters now and its all thanks to Education is Power and KENVO (Kenyan partner organization of EIP). I have been taking the following courses: Fundamentals of Accounting 1&2, Management Mathematics 1&2, Introduction to Insurance, Macro Economics Theory, Micro Economics Theory, Communication Skills, Critical and creative Thinking, Business Law, Business Studies, Organizational Behavior, Computer Programming, and Business Statistics. They all have been very valuable to me, yet most interesting of all have been management mathematics and accounting.

I have been volunteering in tutoring high school students in mathematics and business studies during myholidays and it have been my pleasure.

My education goals are to attain at least a second class degree upper division honors or higher. I am working hard to achieve my career goal as an accountant.

Life at school has been good and back at home as well. I’m so thankful to Education is Power, all the donors and most of all Dave Cuddy for everything that I have achieved so far. I pray that one day I will be able to help others the same way you all have done for me and much more. I am so grateful. God bless you.

Photo: Freshiah is second to left, along with her family and EIP’s Samuel Wakang’u, Dave Cuddy and Stephen Kamau (January 2014)

January 7th, 2014

Freshiah to Start University this Week!

Freshiah found Education is Power in 2009 when she was continuously sent home from Secondary School because her family could not afford to pay school fee balances.
EIP supported her through her last 2 years of high school. Freshiah was accepted to start at Kenyatta University in September 2013 but has had to wait until now for Education is Power to raise funds to send her to University.

Finally, after many challenges for her, Freshiah started her degree in Commerce this Monday, January 6, 2014 at Kenyatta University. A special thanks to current EIP students, Samuel Wakang’u and Stephen Nyuto who helped show her around the bustling registration process!

She is excited but most of all so thankful to have the opportunity to be going to school. She is the first in her family to pursue a degree and has definitely had some extreme challenges along the way. Freshiah’s yearly tuition fees will be $1775 and she will also require funds for accommodation

During our visit she wanted to let us know that she was thankful to EIP and it’s donors because she had almost lost all hope before EIP stepped in.

August 7th, 2013

Freshiah has just been accepted to study a bachelor of commerce at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya.   The cost for tuition per semester is $850.   Freshiah had to change her first pick program of nursing due to complications with the Kenyan school system.  Freshiah never had a Biology teacher at her high school so she lacked the biology perquisite to pursue nursing.  Unlike in the Canadian school system where one can just upgrade any course after graduating secondary school, in Kenya it is necessary to repeat a whole academic year in secondary school and write an exam which includes all four years of secondary school.   Rather then repeating her whole year (while the school system in currently on strike) Freshiah has decided that a degree in commerce will help her gain good employment to help her family and community as well as allow her to gain skills to contribute to the administration of Education is Power.

Freshiah is due to start in September 2013, but unfortunately EIP lacks the funds and must push Freshiah’s start date to January 2014 in hopes that Education is Power will be able to raise enough money.  Please donate to help.

Freshiah has been helping to tutor high school students in her spare time.  She also has been upgrading her computer skills to help her in her post-secondary pursuits.  Freshiah is a great role model for other EIP students as she started with not being able to afford high school and then graduated at the top of her class to allow her to pursue university education.

Left to right:  fellow student of Freshiah, teacher of Freshiah supporting her, Dave Cuddy (Director of Education is Power), Freshiah Nyokabi Nyina – October 2009

Hi, my name is Freshiah Nyokabi Nyina. I was born on June 27 1994 by my single mother. I am the second born in our family. Many of my brothers and sisters did not get an opportunity to attain secondary school. I am working hard to attain secondary school, but due to a lack of money I will need outside help to achieve this goal.

I started schooling at Ben Nursery in 2000 at the age of five. Then I joined grade 1 at Escarpment Primary School. In grade 5 my family moved and I was transferred to Mau-Narok Primary School to complete my primary education in 2007. I was among the top girls at my school with 318 marks out of 500.

I was overjoyed to pass my final examination of primary school, although I could not join secondary school because I lacked the money to pay for school fees. I had to repeat grade 8, while my mother tried to find money to pay for my secondary education. My uncle was very sad about this and helped me to begin secondary school, although he could not continue to support me. He arranged for me to live with my grandmother, which was necessary because of the post-election violence that displaced my family. I started secondary school at Escarpment Secondary (in Lari Division, Central Province) late in the year. I was so happy to start secondary school and managed to gain descent marks even though I was late in the year.

In the second term, I managed to catch up with the others, and I scored the highest mark on the second term exam. I continued with my good performance and being at the top of my grade. I had been performing well but schools fees were a major problem. I was always sent home due to a lack of school fees.   I had a $74 dollar balance that I was unable to pay.  I would remain at home for weeks until I could take a small amount of money or else my grandmother would accompany me to school to meet the principal and ask him to be patient with me and let me continue without payment. This would not last long as after a week or two my principal would send me home again for money.

I was so grateful when people donated to Education is Power to pay my $120 per year secondary school fees.  I am so happy to have graduated and now have a possibility to pursue higher education that will surely allow me to succeed and plow the education back into my community.

Thank you very much,

Freshiah

More Information below added from Freshiah November 26, 2009

Why I wish to take the nursing program:

Note: Freshiah will no longer be joining a nursing program due to school system complications (see top of page) – stay tuned for her next update regarding her desired commerce degree

It is my hope that after I complete my secondary school education successfully I shall do a nursing course at a university or a diploma college. I have chosen this program so that I could be of help to children, HIV/AIDS sufferers, and the elderly who have lived in a lot of suffering all their life. I would prefer to work with organizations which offer medical and counseling services at no monetary charge. This is because all my life I have lived with people who are very poor and vulnerable.

I also do not wish to see other girls go through what I myself have gone through. Alongside nursing I would like to study counseling as I have discovered that much of the suffering in almost all the people is on the inside rather than in the physical. I have witnessed children grow under very oppressive conditions which include child labour, abuse, malnutrition, unwanted pregnancies, early marriages and school drop outs. This has lead to a perpetuating downfall since as soon these children grow into adults who can not support their own families the cycle continues.

It will also allow me to get some kind of employment so that I can support not only my mother and siblings but also the community in my home at large. Employment is widely lacking and this has greatly increased poverty in a rapidly growing population. Average earning per person is about Kshs 50- less than a US dollar a day. The cost of living is on a steep rise from less than Kshs 100 five years ago, to Kshs 2000 today which most families can not afford. More also I like helping people who are in problems and difficulties in their life.

How the community would benefit from me taking this course:

As I have earlier indicated in my resume I would like to take a nursing program when I finish school. I believe serving in the medical field would go far in alleviating the suffering my community goes through. Serving as a nurse will enable me for example to help lessen the suffering of HIV/AIDS patients, orphans and malnourished persons. I would like to be apart of people fighting to eradicate preventable diseases which attack the communities in rural areas. I would prefer to work with the government and other agencies which strive to provide free medical care as the community is full of people who cannot afford medicals bills even if they are asked to pay Kshs 20 for cost sharing. Thus these people continue living in poverty and diseases.

Counseling skills would go deep into assisting individuals who are numerous in need of help to overcome stress, depression, trauma and rehabilitation of those coming out of drugs. In my experience, the majority of these kinds of people are youth. I believe that when one young person is helped out of this suffering and is fully recovered, this would go a long way in transforming the lives of other people who will be served by that young person. I would particularly wish to establish a girls center which would cater for destitute girls who have potential and are highly talented.

I have noted with deep concern that too many girls fall out of the way and miss their opportunities. I know very many girls who have become child mothers, and others who have married below the age of 18 years. The same girls I am sure would have become very successful in life and would have served the community in various capacity as lawyers, doctors, teachers among others.

Why it would be impossible to take the course without outside help:

• It would be impossible for me to take this program without somebody’s kind assistance for the following reasons:
• I live with my grand mother who is 70 years old and poor. My mother lives in the rift valley with three siblings and is unemployed.
• I may not be able to obtain a government loan as this is given only to about 10 thousand university students out of about 300 000 students who leave high school. The government and several other agencies offer scholarships to highly successful students only about 20 of them per year. It is also quite difficult to reach to these agencies.
• I have not been paying for my living expenses for I have been relying on well-wishers and distant relatives who also happen to be unemployed.
• I have no savings whatsoever as I am only 15 years old and the law does not allow me to be employed or work to earn money as this comments to child labour. More so a student and I can not get time to work for money because I need a lot of time for studying.

Future goals

First of all I would like to set an example for other girls to emulate in school, college and in the community. Girl education has lagged behind that of boys in my country.

I plan also to work for those suffering most as a medical doctor and if not as a nurse.

I wish to get a well paying job with the government or any other agencies so that I can both support myself, my family and others in the community.

I plan also serve as a volunteer in assisting other boys and girls in obtaining a high level of education.

I believe volunteering is important as there is a lot to do to improve things, and not enough people doing it. It is also important because the majority of people are poor and can not afford to pay for the expert services.

Photo: Freshiah with Education is Power application, October 2009, Matathia, Kenya