9,000 ELIMU SCHOLARS SELECTED TO JOIN FORM ONE BRINGING THE TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED THROUGH EQUITY TO 10,000 IN 2022

Elimu scholarships are offered by the World Bank and the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education and implemented by Equity Group Foundation
To date, Equity Group in partnership with development partners and Government of Kenya have issued a total of 47,009 comprehensive secondary school scholarships
Equity Group implemented scholarships are administered through a rigorous community-based selection and monitoring process
Beneficiaries undergo mentorship and leadership training throughout their secondary school life
Upon completion they join the Equity Leaders Program and alumni

Nairobi, 16^th May 2022…. Equity Group Foundation (EGF) has completed the selection process for 9,000 recipients of the 2022 Elimu scholarships joining Form One in the ongoing 2022 intake. The Elimu scholarship program is implemented in partnership with the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education. This brings the total number of secondary school scholarships issued through EGF to 47,009 comprising of both Wings to Fly and Elimu scholars. The scholarships target academically talented students who excel in their KCPE exams and who are faced with financial constraints that would hamper their progress to secondary school. This year's Elimu scholars will form the 3^rd cohort while the Wings to Fly scholars of 2022 form the 13^th cohort.

Access to quality education with dignity and an assurance of going through the four years of secondary school education consistently is a growing need that was clearly evidenced this year by the over 111,000 applications received by EGF competing for the 10,000 scholarships available. Speaking while announcing the completion of the selection exercise, Dr James Mwangi, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman said, “the effectiveness of the comprehensive execution of the programs has demonstrated direct impact on the beneficiaries through sustained high performance, high completion and transition rates and exemplary leadership skills. High school completion rates among our scholars stand at 98% with at least 83% of them attaining university entry grades.”

The Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarships have been uniquely packaged to go beyond paying of full tuition fees for four years to include a comprehensive mentorship program, a back-to-school hamper, psychosocial support, and medical care while in school. Scholars joining the program are encouraged and prepared through mentorship to become the agents of change within their families and communities. The impact of the program is to transform lives and expand opportunities for wealth creation. Urging the scholars and encouraging them to focus on their pursuit of excellence, Dr. Mwangi emphasized that they now have an opportunity to change the course of their lives and that of their families. “Your past does not determine your future. I encourage you to exploit your full academic potential and utilize your talents and abilities to make a difference, and to make the best of this opportunity through focus, determination and hard work.”

The selection process has been made possible by members of the community who serve on the Community Scholarship Selection Boards (CSSBs) and the Community Scholarship Advisory Committees (CSACs) across the country. They invest their time to review and scrutinize applications, carry out face to face interviews and home visits before awarding the scholarships to the most deserving scholars. The CSSBs comprise of relevant key personalities in the community and is chaired by the Sub-County Director of Education and coordinated by Equity Bank Branches, while the CSACs comprise of relevant key personalities in the community and chaired by the Deputy County Commissioner with support from the local Equity Branch.

Dr. Mwangi also added saying, “The impact of the Equity implemented scholarships has been proven through the Wings to Fly scholarships now in its 13^th year and we are certain that the Elimu scholarships will follow the same path of success.”

He went on to explain how the Wings to Fly program has distinguished itself as a watershed for developing the next generation of leaders with over 31,000 scholars placed in at least 2,000 secondary schools benefitting from mentorship and coaching, leadership development and continued focus on academic excellence. Through the program, current beneficiaries of the scholarships also engage with alumni who play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the beneficiaries.

“There are no limitations to what or where our scholars can go upon excelling in their final national examinations. Just like the Equity Leaders Program scholars who have gone before them, they too will become doctors, engineers, leading professionals in whichever field of study they focus on. They will study in both local and global institutions of higher learning including Ivy League Universities such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT among others. We have seen their predecessors make and know that it is possible and it can be done. The globe is their playing field, and I am certain that they will make this country proud.” Dr. Mwangi affirmed.

This year, 75 Equity Leaders Program scholars have received admission into global universities bringing the total number of scholars who have completed their studies or are currently ongoing with the same across the globe to 829 and confirming that education truly gives our children the Wings to Fly.

Members of Equity Bank Mombasa- Moi Avenue Branch Community Scholarship Selection Board (CSSB) led by Mombasa Deputy County Commissioner Irene Munyoki (left), Charles Kabau, Business Growth and Development Manager Equity Bank Mombasa- Moi Avenue Branch (2nd left), Pamela Mrembe, Equity Group Foundation Champion (2nd right) and Irene Khamwalitsa from Equity Bank Digo Branch (right) engage during the 2022 Wings to Fly selection process.

Equity Leaders Program (ELP) scholar Losimith Peter (left) attached to Equity Marsabit Branch guides Adano Lacha (center) and her daughter Bati Dano (right) through the Wings to Fly scholarship guide. Bati scored 397 marks in the 2022 KCPE exams and has joined Kisima Girls through the 2022 Wings to Fly Scholarships.

Daudi Jackson Lalaur (left) and his father Ltipiren Lalaur (right) engage with the Nairobi Region Wings to Fly Community Scholarship Selection Board (CSSB) during the 2022 Wings to Fly selection interviews. Daudi who completed his primary education at Dr. Aggrey Primary School, a public primary school in Kariokor has joined Nyandarua High School through the 2022 Elimu scholarships.

A picture of Agineta Ameyo, a 2022 Wings to Fly scholarship beneficiary from Kakamega County who has joined Bunyore Girls High School after scoring 394 marks at Kwisero Primary School.

About the Wings to Fly Scholarship Program

The Wings to Fly Scholarship program, a signature program in EGF’s Education and Leadership Development pillar, provides comprehensive secondary school scholarships to academically promising, yet financially disadvantaged youth. Since 2010, over 20,009 scholarships have been offered to scholars selected from across the country through community scholarship selection boards. The scholarship covers school fees, transport, books, pocket money, mentoring, psychosocial support, and leadership development. Mastercard Foundation has been EGF’s anchor partner in supporting worthy scholars lacking resources to carry their academic dreams forward since 2010. Other former and current partners include USAID (United States Agency for International Development), UKAID, and the German Government through KfW. Graduates of Wings to Fly have an additional opportunity to access financing from EGF to pursue technical courses at reputable TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institutions across Kenya.

About Elimu Scholarship Program

The Elimu scholarship program is run by EGF on behalf of the Ministry of Education and the Government of Kenya. With financial support from the World Bank, the program will provide comprehensive secondary school scholarships 27,000 primary school graduates, this year the selection has covered all the counties, with emphasis on selected 15 urban centres with informal settlements.

About Equity Group Foundation

Equity Group Foundation (EGF), the corporate implementing foundation of Equity Group Holdings Plc, has as its mission to champion the transformation of lives and livelihoods for 100 million people in Africa by 2024 through the design and implementation of innovative programs that leverage Equity Group’s infrastructure and partnerships to create shared value. Established in 2008 as the Group’s social engine, the Foundation delivers economic opportunities, capacity, tools, and technologies that enable individuals and businesses to increase productivity, resilience and share in socio-economic growth. EGF responds to the continuum of issues that challenge the socio-economic advancement of the people of Africa, especially low-income individuals, and families. EGF’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) strategy provides social development initiatives in Education and Leadership Development, Food and Agriculture, Health, Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Development, Energy and Environment and Social Protections for the most vulnerable citizens. EGF’s programs are underpinned by technology, innovation, and synergy as a central means to launch, nurture, and scale up Africa’s next generation of successful leaders and entrepreneurs delivered to all communities in which Equity has operations.

Additional information, visit https://equitygroupfoundation.com/

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9,000 ELIMU SCHOLARS SELECTED TO JOIN FORM ONE BRINGING THE TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED THROUGH EQUITY TO 10,000 IN 2022

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