2,000 needy learners benefit from Equitys Wings to Fly

Over 2,000 bright but needy pupils have benefited from the Equity Bank’s Wings to Fly scholarships programme.

Speaking during the occasion, President Uhuru Kenyatta – who presided over the official launch of the scholarships at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi ordered for the establishment of a board of trustees to co-ordinate sponsors who are offering scholarships to students.

President Kenyatta implored upon the beneficiaries to maximize their scholarships to better their lives.

The 2,000 students who were picked from the country’s 47 counties are from poor backgrounds and are unable to meet their education expenses.

Among the qualifying factors include: children who have lost one or both parents and have no relative or guardian or sponsor to provide for their secondary education; Children whose parents are physically or mentally challenged and are unable to educate their children and have no relative or guardian or sponsor to provide for their secondary education; Children whose parents are living with HIV/AIDS or other chronic debilitating illness and are unable to educate their children and have no relative or guardian or sponsor to provide for their secondary education.

Other conditions for qualification are: Children from families affected by natural disasters such as flooding, drought, and famine or civil conflict and are unable to educate their children and have no relative or guardian or sponsor to provide for their secondary education; Children who have suffered neglect and/or abandonment and have no relative or guardian or sponsor to provide for their secondary education and children with parents living under extreme poverty and have no relative or guardian or sponsor to provide for their secondary education.

Phase 2 of the programme carried out through the bank’s foundation is targeting to provide 20,000 scholarships.

Phase one of the programme benefited 10,377 students.

“The Wings to Fly” program scholarships caters for school fees, pocket money, shopping, books and uniform for the four year education programme.