The Wings to Fly Scholarship Program selection process has kicked off across the country, with bright children from financially challenged backgrounds who sat the 2022 KCPE exams and who attained 350 and above having an opportunity to be selected to attend interviews.
Thousands of primary school leavers from all over the country appeared before the Community Scholarship Selection Boards (CSSBs) accompanied by their parents or guardians.
The CSSBs consist of key personalities from the communities, and each is chaired by the Sub-County Director of Education. The Boards are coordinated by Equity Branch Managers.
At the border town of Busia in western Kenya, 526 applications were received. Out of these, 60 children were shortlisted to attend the interviews and have the chance to be selected for the 8 slots allotted to the Busia CSSB for admission to the Wings to Fly Program.
Speaking to the candidates, parents, and guardians before the commencement of the interviews, Busia County Commissioner for Education William Makori said the selection process by Equity was above board and confirmed that due process is followed by the CSSBs.
“Do not be persuaded by anyone purporting to have influence over the selection process. The process is free and fair and you should not pay anyone claiming to influence the outcome,” he said.
Samuel Losuwat, Lodwar Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) Chairman who sits on the Lodwar CSSB said,
“Wings to Fly is such an exemplary program and we would like to see more students join and get sponsored in their high school education. I have seen a huge difference since I started serving on the committee. We have seen professionals emerge from this program, something the students would not have realized without Equity’s intervention,” he said.
In Changamwe Sub-County, 58 candidates were interviewed for the Wings to Fly scholarship. The Assistant County Commissioner and Chairperson of the board, Miriam Tilas, emphasized the transparency of the selection process and urged students to be truthful about their circumstances during the interview.
“Lying will not benefit you and may disqualify you from receiving the scholarship. Remember, even if you are not selected for the scholarship, this should not be the end of your education journey. Keep working hard and pursuing your goals. Good luck to all applicants,” she said.
Speaking during the shortlisting exercise in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga East KEPSHA C hair James Mututa said Equity has given CSSB members the opportunity to witness learners being empowered by the program.
“This program transforms the lives of young men and women and equips them with knowledge and the attitude for prosperity,” said Mututa.
The Imam at Makongeni Mosque in Kibera Sheikh Hamza Habib who sits on the Kibera CSSB said the area has greatly benefitted from the scholarship program.
“Education is power and educating our young people is the key to resolving the economic challenges facing the residents of Kibera. We are grateful to Equity for opening the door of opportunity for our children by supporting them to get an education,” he said.
The Wings to Fly program is a partnership between Equity Group Foundation and Equity Bank with additional financial support from other partners notably KfW, Mastercard Foundation, USAID, UKAid, private institutions as well as individuals. Since 2010, the program has grown to offer a total of 20,009 scholarships.
The scholarship is a comprehensive secondary school scholarship program for academically gifted but financially challenged children from all counties in Kenya. The scholarship program is now in its 13th year.
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With a 97% secondary school completion rate and 82% qualification for transition to university rate, the Wings to Fly Program has been very successful and transformational.
The scholarship selection process gives priority to full and partial orphans who have no relative or guardian or sponsor to provide for their secondary education, children whose parents are physically or mentally challenged, children whose parents are living with HIV/AIDS or other chronic debilitating illnesses, children from families affected by natural disasters such as flooding, drought, and famine or civil conflict, children who have suffered neglect and/or abandonment and children with parents living under extreme poverty.
The children who make it past the interviews will be visited by the CSSB members during the home verification process, after which the 2023 Wings to Fly cohort will be selected to attend a centralized induction and be commissioned prior to joining high school.
Equity Lodwar branch Wings to Fly champion Ebenyo Joram (standing) hands out forms for shortlisting to Turkana Central CSSB members during a joint training and shortlisting session at Pension Hotel in Lodwar township in readiness for scholar interviews. The branch received 128 application forms. To the near left is Job Nyorsok, Equity Lodwar Branch Manager and at the center is CSSB member Hosea Ameripus.
Lodwar CSSB members deliberate during the shortlisting of scholars.
Kibera CSSB training: (From left) Kibera Branch Manager Martin Mungai, Youth Leader Pastor Mark Okoth, Kibera Imam Sheikh Hamza Habib, Zilekha Abdi of NG-CDF Office Lan’gata and Kibera Women representative of Nubians/Muslims Siyama Ismail.
Kibera CSSB training. (From left) Equity Community Branch Manager Peter Karuga, Sub-County Peace Initiative Committee member Philip Omondi, Equity Agent Kibera Suezern Akoth, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Representative Beatrice Atieno.
Kibera CSSB training. (From left) Zilekha Abdi of NG-CDF Office Lan’gata, Kibera Women representative-Nubians/Muslims Siyama Ismail and Jeniffer Kerubo of NG-CDF Office Kibera.
Wings to Fly Program applicants and their guardians are invited for selection interviews in Busia.
The Community Scholarship Selection Board sitting in Busia conducts interviews of the Wings to Fly Program led by the Busia County Director of Education William Makori.
The Community Scholarship Selection Board in Busia conducts interviews of the Wings to Fly Scholarships Program led by the Busia County Director of Education William Makori (5th left).
Busia County Director of Education William Makori (center) leads the Community Scholarship Selection Board in Busia in interviews for the selection of Wings to Fly Program beneficiaries in the County. He is flanked by CSSB committee members Anne Wambui (left) and Rael Mutula (right).
A Wings to Fly applicant Terry Mmbone (right) is interviewed by the CSSB panel sitting in Mbale. To her right are CSSB members Maureen Ombasa and Christine Owano.
The Kisumu CSSB is led by the chair, Martin Orwa, (2nd left) who is the Exams Officer in the County Director of Education Office. The board will conduct home verification visits in the 7 sub-counties of Kisumu Central, Kisumu West, Kisumu East, Nyangi, Nyakach, Muhoroni, and Sema. To his left are Equity Ang’awa branch manager Alice Ouma and a representative of the clergy in the CSSB Tabitha Opiyo.
Equity West Pokot Branch Manager James Tandui Biwott takes the West Pokot CSSB through the selection criteria for the Wings to Fly Scholarship Program. Out of 186 applicants, the Board will select 11 scholars from the region.
Equity Kerugoya Branch Wings to Fly champion Benigna Mwende takes the CSSB members through training.
In Kerugoya, the board shortlisted 24 scholars for interviews out of 36 applicants.
Community Scholarship Selection Board Members of Changamwe Sub-County conduct a pre-interview briefing of children, their parents, and their guardians on the process of selection.
Equity Mombasa Moi Avenue Branch Manager Geoffrey Wanyonyi trains the CSSB members from Likoni and Mvita Sub Counties on what is expected of them during the 2023 Wings to Fly selection process.
Dion Scotten, Equity Group Director of Fraud Management, Investigations & Physical Security (left) shares his insights of the Wings to Fly program with the CSSB members of Likoni and Mvita Sub-Counties in Mombasa.
“The Wings to Fly Program is truly exceptional in its ability to transform lives and livelihoods. It’s not just about providing stipends and fees for education, but about uplifting and supporting individuals and helping them to reach their full potential,” said Scotten.
CSSB members of Likoni and Mvita Sub-Counties in Mombasa go through the 251 applications for the Wings to Fly scholarships to shortlist deserving candidates for interviews.
CSSB members of Nyali and Kisauni Sub-Counties interview a mother and daughter for the Wings to Fly scholarship at Khadija Primary School in Bombululu.
