Although he may love the soccer pitch, Gideon's passion is math. It is his favourite subject and the reason he wants to be an electrical engineer. "I like learning, I take my time learning rather than going to the [soccer] field". With your help Africa SOMA will cover the costs of Gideon's high school education so he can become an engineer. "It will help me to continue with my education and continue with my goals that I have set for my life". $790 will cover Gideon's 4 year secondary education.
As the second of four children, Gideon's parents would not have been able to cover the cost of four years of high school without Gideon earning the Africa SOMA scholarship. Without high school Gideon's goal of becoming an electrical engineer would be unattainable. At boarding school "I can get more time to read and study." Gideon says. By investing in Gideon, not only are you investing in a boy from an ethnic minority in a rural area but you are investing in Kenya's future skilled workforce.
Like many small communities, the Elangata Wuas community often loses young educated youth to bigger cities, missing out on skilled workers. But Gideon wants to practice electrical engineering as close to Elangata Wuas as possible. "I want to come back here" Gideon says when talking about his community. Without a high school education, Gideon's goal of becoming an electrical engineer won't be possible, reinforcing a cycle of poverty in a region desperate for new sources of income.
The Elangata Wuas region has been suffering from increased droughts in recent years which has had a severe impact on a community economically centered around livestock. Livelihood diversity is a key in the region and earning a high school education provides greater potential to access and create jobs. For children in Elangata Wuas the chance to attend high school means a chance to broaden not only their academic horizons but also their job prospects.
