For too many children, education has been a casualty of the
HIV/AIDS pandemic. Millions of children face enormous obstacles
to schooling. In families where one or both parents are chronically
ill or have died, there is often little money to pay for school
and other education related expenses. HIV-associated illnesses
often increase family health care expenses while inhibiting
the ability to earn an income.
Although there is access to free primary education in Kenya
many children, especially young girls, are often required
to care for sick family members. In addition the grief a child
experiences in anticipating or seeing their parents die inhibits
a child’s ability to concentrate on learning, even if
able to attend school. However with the access to the scholarship
and encouragement from counseling and guiding teachers in
most schools this more girls have been able to access education.
The scholarship provides education support for students in
tertiary level institutions thus equipping them with skills
for employment. This will hopefully provide them with skills
to find employment either formal or informal. Once employed
or engaged in income generating activities the beneficiaries
should be able to provide the necessary support to their siblings
or other family members.
In Kenya there very minimal social welfare activity supported
by the government or government institutions. Due to the financial
burden imposed by HIV/AIDs and related diseases most families
are stripped off all their savings/wealth and have to rely
on well wishers. Unfortunately this help is not always forthcoming
and this scholarship goes a long way in alleviating the suffering
that most beneficiaries would otherwise undergo. In addition
where the scholarship beneficiaries have found employment
this has gone a long way in ensuring that their families at
least have the basic necessities of food and shelter.
By providing much needed schooling assistance, the scholarship
has greatly contributed to the government’s goal of
eliminating ignorance and improving literacy levels
Another benefit that is not always obvious but is evident
from the testimonials received from many of the students is
that schooling support has greatly improved the morale and
self confidence of many of the beneficiaries. Many of the
beneficiaries feel cared for and at least have a sense of
hope. Many times also by conversing/communicating with the
USAID Kenya Education officials and the scholarship administrators
most of the students have expressed their gratitude for the
concern and care they feel that they have received. A number
of beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude in writing
It is hoped that this scholarship will encourage other institutions,
organizations or individuals to offer education assistance.
Although these may not be directly identifiable, a lot of
individuals and even some of the beneficiaries are more aware
of the need to assist and give back to society by providing
education assistance and providing other skills for life.
Schooling remains an essential element of a robust individual
and societal future, and partnerships with the education sector
provide important opportunities to fight back against the
pandemic. The United States Government (USG) supports efforts
to address the interface between the education sector and
HIV/AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR supports programs in schools
that offer important prevention education for youth, as well
as working to ensure that children who are orphaned or vulnerable
as a result of HIV and AIDS can benefit from schooling.
In addition the USAID Kenya Education Office continues to
liaise with all stakeholders in the Education sector to leverage
all synergies and other economies of scale that would promote
the schooling and education of OVCs.
In the year 2007, 266 scholarship beneficiaries sat the KCSE examination. 9 beneficiaries scored A grade and 108 students scored grade C+ and above, qualifying for university admission.
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