KEEPING AKILI GIRLS IN SCHOOL THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS

Dear friends,

Vera joined Akili School in 2013 in Preschool where she studied for three years before joining Akili Girls Boarding School in 3rd Grade in 2017. She was orphaned at a tender age and her grandmother; a fishmonger in the slum, has been taking care of her since she was a year old. Like many of her colleagues who come from Obunga slum and rural Kanyawegi village, she has faced several challenges including being unable to pay school fees, buy school uniforms or contribute any food items that parents are required to provide to support the school feeding program. Vera’s situation has been worsened by the fact that her grandmother has been bedridden for over 2 years suffering from a spinal tumor infection making her unable to fend for her grandchildren. Despite these challenges, Vera has been committed at school and has managed to top her class for the last 6 years. Your overwhelming support  has enabled Vera to stay in school and study for free and work towards achieving her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.  "I would like to be a neurosurgeon and  see my grandma who suffers from a spinal tumor getting healed from my hands,” she recently told us. 

This month, after 8 years at Akili School, Vera sat for her primary school exit exams that will see her transition to high school in January 2023. Going by her average score of 411 marks out of a possible 500 in  the recent continuous assessment test, we are certain that she will perform well in her final exams and secure a chance to join a reputable high school to further her studies. We are excited to continue to support Vera through our scholarship program that provides high school fees, school uniforms, sanitary pads, underwear and mentorship opportunities to marginalized girls like her. 

12 students at Akili School also sat for the final exams with Vera and they have expressed confidence in passing the exams and expect to improve tremendously and surpass the mean target of  375 marks with the highest candidate scoring 428 marks out of a possible 500marks. We can't wait to see the results released in the coming weeks and ultimately transition them to high school in January.

We thank you very much for your incredible support throughout the year. We couldn't do all the things we have accomplished this year without your support. We invite you to give $10 or more this season to continue supporting our cause to keep rural girls like Vera in school and together empower the next generation of women  leaders in our country. May God richly bless you! Happy Holidays!