By Reporter
A village in Kochia ward, Rangwe constituency has come up with an initiative to fight school dropout among students faced with financial challenges.
The residents of Kowili Location initiated the programme by raising funds to support the education of students whose parents are financially vulnerable.
Through the Kowili Education Recovery Foundation, the residents are undertaking the programme by collecting money from individual clan members.
In the initiative, every clan in the area contributes money. Then money is pooled and shared out among the beneficiaries.
Upon completion of the collection, the committee assigns every clan through the assistance of clan and village elders to select the neediest students from every village.
When the clans have held their meetings in villages, the names of the selected students are submitted to the committee which finally awards bursary cheques to the selected students.
The beneficiaries are students who learn in secondary schools, tertiary colleges and universities.
Chairman Kennedy Ogindo and Organizing Secretary Edward Odhiambo said they had collected Sh3.3million. The money will be distributed to about 600 students when term one kicks off.
“Kowili Education Recovery works closely with clan elders to identify needy students. We have delegated the role of selecting the students to villagers because they know one another well,” Ogindo said.
Speaking to journalists at Ligisa Secondary School in Kochia ward, the officials emphasized that the selection of the vulnerable children is done by villagers themselves to ensure only the deserving students benefit.
The selection method enhances transparency.
On Sunday, Odhiambo said, “The money is distributed to the students based on their vulnerability.”
“We focus on the level of vulnerability of the selected students to determine the amount of money given. The distribution of money is done transparently,” Odhiambo said.
He said the initiative is aimed at promoting education and ensuring that Kowili has productive people in future.
Kajwang Nyadundo, a village elder, and Sarah Ong’ondo said they are collaborating with assistant chiefs in the area for the success of the programme.
“We secure letters from assistant chiefs allowing us to spread the message on the programme. The government officials know the economic status of each family,” Ong’ondo said.
Vitalis Oganda, a parent, said the programme will transform the area through education.
“Orphan students cannot acquire education because they lack fees. But this programme will enable many vulnerable students to continue with education,” Oganda said.
