Why to do it?

Poverty is the greatest barrier to education access in the communities we work in.
Families want the best for their children but lack the financial means to support their education. We know that communities understand their issues and that they have the solutions to resolve them.

When you educate a young person in Africa, everything changes.
They will be three times less likely to get HIV/AIDS, less likely to drop out of school due to early pregnancy, earn 25% more income and have a smaller, healthier family.

The PLEWA Family Foundation Exceptional Student Scholarship provides a young person with education, uniform, school equipment, medical care and other educational and social needs to enable them to fulfil their potential.
The scholarship is equally available to both girls and boys who are disciplined and show commitment and aptitude to study.

As part of the scholarship, the PLEWA Family Foundation team works with the student to nurture and develop their talents, both in and out of the classroom, providing them with every opportunity to pursue their passions to make a success of their lives.  The PLEWA Family Foundation’s intention is to work closely with the Nasio Trust to execute the scholarship programme. 

Our goal as the PLEWA Family Foundation is to help venerable, high-achieving secondary and tertiary-aged young people become healthy, productive and empathetic young adults by supporting them through programmes at formal educational institutions and providing them with skills and values to realise the best career opportunities to create lasting, positive social impact.

 Programme Aim

• To support initially two students in a program – one girl and one boy. Providing successful roll out of the Program in year one, we should aim to extend Program to more students
• Strengthen local communities, create opportunities, and tackle issues of disadvantage and exclusion through education.
• Build endowment and provide strong links between the PLEWA Family Foundation and the Nasio Trust community.
• Create PLEWA Family Foundation Scholarship Alumni to support programme continuity and social impact

Kenyan Education System background information

The education system in Kenya is the 2-8-4-4 system, which means:
2 – Two years in ECD (Early Childhood Education Centre) – Age 4-6
8 – Eight years in Primary Education (Class 1 to Class 8) – Age 6+
4 – Four years in Secondary Education (Form 1 to Form 4) – Age 14+
4 – Four years in University Education

Selection Guidelines:

The PLEWA Family Foundation and the Nasio Trust community jointly select students deemed most in need and most likely to benefit from the opportunities offered by the programme. We do not just provide students with books or school fees – we support them throughout their development. Our scholarship allows a young person to attend school, thrive academically and maximise the value of their education after graduation.

The selection guidelines have a specific focus on students who have finished Class Eight (primary education) and have achieved a grade A scored at 350/500 and above.
They will be supported in the four years of secondary school as well four years in University Education

Key elements of selecting candidates:

Students’ academic performance, including:

• Good school reports with positive teachers’ assessments that evidence for the capacity for hard work.
• Exam results, however the award may not necessarily go to the student with the highest exam result
• A letter of min 500 words from the student explaining what subject they wish to study, why, and their future aspirations in life and work.
• Volunteering for at least 2 weeks with the  Nasio Trust every holiday to support others and give back to the community.
• Volunteering by their Guardian one day a week.

Economic stability assessment of the family by the Nasio Trust social workers, based on

• land owned by the family,
• farming outputs of crops, livestock, poultry,
• type of family occupation and
• amount earned per day by the family

Character of each student with recommendations from:

• teachers,
• government administration,
• religious leaders and
• caseworkers, including values both at home and school.

Recommendation from the Nasio Trust Staff, guardians, and Kenyan Nasio Board explaining:

• The student’s background and obstacles they have overcome.
• Their capacity for hard work and discipline.
• How they have contributed to the Nasio Trust, their local community, and family.
• Any particular support they might need to complete the course.

Costings:

The PLEWA Family Foundation Scholarship is equal to a student receiving full sponsorship, which is as follows:

• Secondary                              £650* per year
• Tertiary / University             £650* per year
• Social and Welfare support  £150* a year

* This is dependant on the £ exchange rate at the time

The successful student is supported for the duration of their secondary education, university up to 8 years (more if pursuing a Masters Degree), subject to continuing commitment, conduct, and good academic performance confirmed in annual student overall progress assessment done jointly by the Nasio Trust by the PLEWA Family Foundation

Should a student fall short of the required standards, the scholarship may be withdrawn if the student is unable to improve after a full investigation of the circumstances.

Selection Process

• Application from the students including min 500 words ( as per above)
• Review of exam results of students who applied
• First stage selection of students to apply by the Nasio Trust
• Invitation of potentially suitable students to apply
• Recommendation from the school, government officials, community, family, religious representative and the Nasio Trust
• Financial and family assessment by the Nasio Social Work Team
• Shortlisting of students by a selection committee set up by the Nasio Trust of min 3 people
• Shortlisted students forwarded to the PLEWA Family Foundation for final shortlist
• Final interviews by the Nasio Trust and the PLEWA Family Foundation
• Offer of scholarships the PLEWA Family Foundation and extension of scholarships based on ongoing annual assessments and performance
• Scholarship Contracts with student and family to be signed with the PLEWA Family Foundation
• Semester progress report submitted by the student including  grades and opinion of the teacher
• Annual Reviews conducted jointly by the Nasio Trust and the PLEWA Family Foundation to decide on extension of scholarships

What the scholarship will cover:

• Standard course fees
• Student study allowance incl. Social and Welfare support
• Study equipment as agreed with the Nasio Trust*
• Other needs will be a shared responsibility with family dependent on their financial status

* If a course demands particular equipment or an individual student needs something to enable them to complete the course we would hope to meet or help with these expenses at the time the scholarship is awarded on a case by case basis and the application process allows for this.

In conclusion:

We strongly believe at the PLEWA Family Foundation that proper education is a basic human right of each individual and it creates a solid fundament to grow in life and to build progressive societies established on well accepted values.
We are committed to fulfil our Program Aim and we will never stop to improve it beyond.
All decisions will be made in unbiased and transparent way to assure trust in what we do at the PLEWA Family Foundation