beneficiary-type: HIGH SCHOOL BENEFICIARIES

BACKGROUND

In my early years, growing up deep in the streets of Kulumbeni, Matete district in Kakamega County, so little was known of a future that I was so oblivious to. Nevertheless, waking up every day in the wee hours of the morning, on my way to Kulumbeni Primary school, I steadily pressed on.

Having been a top performer from Class One to Class Seven, I was transferred to Shihome Primary School for my final year. I managed to score 390 marks and received a calling letter to join Mang’u High school in Kiambu. Ever since then, Co-operative Bank Foundation became part of my education journey, paying my school fees throughout my secondary school education.

It was during that time in high school, specifically in 2012, that my life took a turn. The School Administration had invited Architect Steven Odundo as the guest of honour to speak to us on prize giving day. He spoke about the role of self-belief in one’s success, stating that ‘It is never too late to turn up for yourself’.

His advice stuck with me and I managed to score 83/84 aggregate points in my Kenya Certificate of Secondary education. I then received an opportunity to pursue my dream course, Architecture, at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Now as a graduate architect, a journey that started 11 years ago, the values instilled in me by my parents have helped me manoeuvre in life.

A question my father asked me in 2011 as a form one student in Mang’u High School still lingers even now; ‘will you be as great as the institution you have schooled in?’ I am guided by Acts 20:35, where Paul stated, ‘In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive,’.”

I attribute my success to CBF and the Co-operative Bank of Kenya. My dreams couldn’t have been a reality were it not for the contribution of the Bank. This not only increases my motivation to do good in society, but also to do my part to promote a better community.

Thank you, CBF and Co-operative Bank of Kenya.

BACKGROUND

We are born not knowing what the future holds for us. I came to understand this more and more as I grew older. Being born into a family where my mother was the sole breadwinner, I learnt early on how a woman can be hardworking, independent and focused. I won’t say that my mum was a single parent, but my dad’s presence didn’t matter to us.

She was a small-scale businesswoman who ensured that all our basic needs were met with the little she earned. She would do all this without any hesitation. When we lost our mum, I was in class 8, while my elder siblings had completed high school. I felt like the world had come to a standstill. Moreover, I was to sit for KCPE exams in a few weeks.

My dad was nowhere to be found to offer the support we needed. We then had to depend on our relatives. However, it was difficult for them as they had their own families. I was fortunate that my teachers, having seen my potential, promised to support me financially for the remaining time in primary school. Amid the grief and all the changes in my life, I completed my exams and passed very well.

However, I was stranded with no idea of where the money I needed to attend high school would come from. I could see my dreams evaporating, and it seemed as though it would be the end of my studies. Deep inside, I remained hopeful that God still had a plan for me.

With the help of my relatives, I tried applying for sponsorships from other providers with no success. A family friend then introduced me to the Co-op Bank Foundation, where I applied and was successful! My prayers were heard, and I joined my dream school, Machakos Girls’ High School.

My learning experience in high school was such a smooth ride. I thank the Foundation for investing in my education. The desire to be a focused, independent lady like my mother in future also motivated me to put my best foot forward. I told myself that I must conquer all odds.

After an exemplary performance in KCSE, I was selected as one of the 28 beneficiaries to be part of the University Scholarship Program for that year (now it is 56). Words cannot explain how grateful I am to the Co-operative Bank Foundation. I cannot repay the Foundation’s kindness for all they have done for me. At the age of 14, I couldn’t imagine how my future would be. I almost gave up, but I am so glad I didn’t.

In those moments of doubt, I kept the verse Jeremiah 29:11 close to my heart. God knows His plans for us, to prosper us and not to harm, to give us hope and a future.

BACKGROUND

Growing up in Kadzandani, Bamburi division in Mombasa county as a first-born son to two other brothers in a family that wasn’t well off was a challenging experience; there were drugs everywhere and few people to look up to. It meant I always had to set the pace and be a role model to them.

This meant making sacrifices and having a hardworking mentality from a young age. I was always good academically as a child. Towards my completion of primary school, Bamburi Cement company officials took time to come and give us a motivational talk, promising to offer a scholarship to the best performing pupil for the 2011 KCPE in collaboration with Co-operative Bank Foundation.

I managed to score 372 marks and was the best pupil that year. This was the beginning of my dream journey with CBF and the Bank. Such moments reinforced my confidence and belief in my abilities. I realised I had the power to create my own future. Through the Bank’s financial support, I was able to join Ribe Boys’ National school in 2012.

I am certain that it would have been very challenging to my parents to cater for the fees given the large expenses the school had. It was a relief to them. I continued with my great form and, equipped with my self-drive, I always performed well throughout the four years in high school. In the final year, I received a letter from CBF that motivated me further as they promised to offer University Scholarships to the four best students in the coast region.

As an opportunist, I took the chance and managed to score an A- of 78 points, and I was among the best four in the region. In 2016, I joined Masinde Muliro University of Science and technology for a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. Once again. I made the most of my time there and graduated as the top student in my 2020 Economics class with a second-class upper division of 68.

Looking back, I feel proud of my accomplishments and achievements as I worked hard, listened to the advice I was given, focused on my studies and grabbed every single opportunity that came my way. As a football fan, I look up to the greats; Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

They have been able to achieve more than any other player for 15 consecutive seasons because their hard work, discipline and consistency has always been above the rest. In Cristiano’s words, “Talent is nothing without hard work.” I attribute my success to Bamburi cement factory, (Anastacia Cherono and Caroline Adhola) my mother Nelly Ramko for her advice, my aunt, Mary Richard for her support during the scholarship application, CBF and the Bank.

I am indebted to you all. I am grateful that we crossed paths, all this has been possible because of you. I hope I made you all proud. My goal is to become better with each step I take in life. I also look forward to giving back to the society to make our community a better place than it is.

Thank you!

BACKGROUND

My name is Patrick Muuo Musembi from a remote village called Marwa in Makueni County. Currently, I am working as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Octavia Carbon. Designing and testing machines that will help reverse climate change, by removing Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere.

As of right now, it is the only company doing such work in Africa. I’m sure you’re interested in knowing how I found myself in such a situation. Being the first born in a family of 9 kids, I matured quicker than most. I attended the local village school and, with dreams of becoming a pilot, I put in the work.

In 2011, I sat for my KCPE. Having attained 395 marks, I emerged as the second-best performer in the zone. My journey with Co-op Foundation began soon after as I had no clue of how I would attend Maseno School, where I had been called to.

There was a hopelessness that started to seep into me as I had missed schools had been open for 1 week and I was still at home. That is until Co-op Foundation came to my aid. By taking charge of my studies, I was able to achieve A- (79 point) in KCSE, granting me a chance to attend university through the University Scholarship Programme.

Although it was not the Flying School I had dreamt of as a child, I was able to join The Technical University of Kenya to pursue a degree in Mechanical engineering. That time comes with a new set of challenges and responsibilities, but I graduated from the 5-year course with a Second-Class Upper Division.

This grade plus the job I have now was not possible through hard work alone, but also by believing in God. As it is written in Proverbs 3:5-6 put all your focus on God and He shall direct your path. We may not be able to see your life’s path to the end but take every step with prayer.

BACKGROUND

I currently work as a Co-operate Finance consultant. We have our own entity called Next Partners. This came after I graduated end of 2015 from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) having studied Actuarial Science with first class honours.

My story begins from a family of four raised by a single mother. My dad had passed on when I was still quite young and my mum worked at Multimedia University at the Administrator’s Office. We got to know about the Co-operative Bank Foundation scholarship program through one of the SACCOs that my mum was a member of.

We made an application and I was selected as one of the beneficiaries, giving me the opportunity to attend Dagoretti High School and completed secondary school in 2010. From that point, my mum was able to focus on my siblings. That was a huge load off her back. This was extended to University after I performed well.

Being part one of the Foundation’s beneficiaries meant having access to mentorship and career guidance. I was not sure what to pursue in University. I remember I had actually been called to University of Nairobi to pursue Economics and Finance, which I was not passionate about.

I had a conversation with a member of staff at the Foundation. He advised me on what to consider and that is when I decided to pursue Actuarial Science at JKUAT. He was very supportive and encouraging. The internship program was also very helpful. It was when I began to build my career path.

I learned how the stock market works and how the Bank’s board operates. It made my academic work much easier because by the time we were doing the theory on financial institutions and financial derivatives, I had already seen it in practice. I cannot imagine how life could have turned out if I did not get the Co-operative Bank Foundation scholarship. I do not think I would be doing what I am presently doing.

BACKGROUND

I graduated from Maseno University in 2018 after studying International Relations with Information Technology. where I sat my KCSE examinations in 2013. I managed a B+ plus of 73 points. My mum gave birth to me when she was only 15 years old. Therefore, my grandparents raised me. My grandfather was working at Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) before retiring and my grandmother was a tailor.

I attended Ganjoni Primary school and life was manageable. I started facing challenges when my grandfather separated with my grandmother. I would go to school without food and my grandmother was unable to raise my school fees. My school life has had many highs and lows. In class five, one of the teachers took notice of my academic potential.

She took care of me and enrolled me in a boarding school. Through her kindness, I managed to go through my primary school and score 379 marks in 2009. While looking for more financial help, we turned to Co-operative Bank Foundation. My mother was a member of KPA SACCO as she was employed as a support staff.

She helped me secure the scholarship and through the support of the Foundation, I went to Kombeni Girls School in Kilifi County. I eventually went on to score a B+. As I was one of the best performers in my region, I was then selected for the University Scholarship Program and I joined Maseno Univeristy to study International Relations with Informational Technology.

The Foundation did not only pay for my school fees, but gave me a wholesome experience. While in High School, I gained a mentor in one of the staff at Ukunda branch in Mombasa. She would monitor my performance in school and pushed me to do better. In University, I found other people I could call family after meeting and bonding with the other University Beneficiaries

The internship program in University gave me a chance to build my CV, gain some exposure and interact with the real world. I used the stipend I earned to support my family and the work I did gave me the advantage needed to find a job almost immediately after university. I am deeply grateful for the Co-operative Bank Foundation scholarship.

BACKGROUND

My name is Eunice Ruguru from Embu County. I schooled at Kimangaru Primary School where I sat for my KCPE in 2007. We are five children in our family and I am the fourth born. Life at first for us was smooth sailing as my father was working with the now defunct Nairobi City Council and he was able to support us as a family financially.

Things changed in 2004 when my dad passed on and my mother, as a housewife, was not able to support us. We would be sent home regularly because couldn’t afford exam fees. My mother was a member of a farmers SACCO and was informed about the Co-operative Bank Foundation.

Things changed in 2004 when my dad passed on and my mother, as a housewife, was not able to support us. We would be sent home regularly because couldn’t afford exam fees. My mother was a member of a farmers SACCO and was informed about the Co-operative Bank Foundation.

Through their intervention, I joined Nguviu Girls in Embu. I do not think I would have made it through high school had I not obtained the scholarship. While we still faced various financial issues, I was received another guardian angel. In form three, the Principal realized I had potential to perform well academically but I was frequently unwell because of stress related illnesses.

Choosing to believe in my potential, the principal then took up the responsibility of providing me with all my personal items. After my final form 4 exam, I went to work as a house help in Kahawa West to support my family.

When the results came out and I had passed with an A, the Principal again took me back to my former secondary school where I was hired as an untrained tutor. While I was there, I learnt that I had qualified for the University Scholarship Program. I was then granted an opportunity to join University of Nairobi to study Finance. I graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

The greatest impact in that the Foundation has had in my life was to facilitate my access to education. Additionally, the work experience I gained while working with the bank as an intern and the stipend I received during the internship greatly influenced my life.

BACKGROUND

I am the third child, out of 11, of a pastoralist and a housewife from Wajir. When I was young, I moved to Garissa with my uncle who decided to lend an extra hand to my father and took me in as his own. There I joined Sankure Nomadic Primary School where I settled down well

During that time in primary, a teacher informed us of the scholarship opportunities available. He would encourage us to score at least 350 marks because that was one of the requirements for most scholarships. I didn’t know I would need that information as much as I did.

Unfortunately, in class 8, my uncle passed on. Remembering the encouragement of my teacher, I worked hard and passed my KCPE, scoring 363 marks. So, I applied for several scholarships. However, I was successful with any of them.

Fortunately, my father was a member of a co-operative society that banks with the Co-operative Bank. When he inquired about the CBF scholarship, we were guided on how to make the application. I was accepted into the scholarship program and I joined Makueni Boys High School.

I struggled in High School, but I had the right support. For our cohort, we attended a physical mentorship program. All the beneficiaries from Coast and North Eastern met at Shimo la Tewa. That moment marked a changing point in life. At that time, I was in form 2 and I was going through a lot. After attending the session, I was able to focus better on my studies.

My performance in school improved. The Foundation would also monitor my performance as I used to submit to them my report card, and this helped push me to strive for more. I sat for my KCSE examinations in 2018, and I managed to score an A minus of seventy-six (76) points.

Now, I am a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from Kenya Methodist University. All those years ago, when I did not succeed in getting the other scholarships, I had even contemplated repeating primary school so that I could score more marks, hence increasing my chances of getting a scholarship.

As a result of my scholarship, I had a sister who was able to join high school a year after me because my father’s financial burdens were reduced with my scholarship. These milestones were possible because of Co-operative Bank Foundation.

BACKGROUND

My name is Quinto Subi Okumu and I currently work in the medical field as an Operations Manager with one of the private health providers in Nairobi. I am a long way off from where I started my schooling journey, at Bumbe Primary School near the shores of Lake Victoria.

I was born in a family of eight. My father was a fisherman, but he passed on when I was in class 2. Within a year of his death, my mother also passed on. My stepbrother and grandmother took up the role of taking care of me up until I completed my primary school education.

Skip ahead to the time I was to join form 1, I had performed very well in my KCPE and my extended family were trying to fundraise for my school fees. My former head teacher heard had of Co-operative Bank Scholarships and approached a Sacco delegate in Busia, presenting my case. The delegates vetted me and I was among the five students that received the Co-operative Bank Scholarship in our area that year.

I went on to join Sigalame High School and sat for my KCSE examinations in 2011. I passed well and got an A, hence qualifying for the university scholarship program. My interests were in the sciences, so I decided to pursue Biochemistry at Technical University of Kenya.

I made the most of the internship opportunities at the bank before finishing my course. I strengthened my interpersonal skills, and I was exposed to people who really inspired me to be what I am today all while earning some money of my own.

With the internship allowance, I was able to support my grandmother and pay some school fees for my other siblings. So, when I finally graduated in 2018, I had gained more than just a degree. Thinking back, I do not think I would have completed High School if I did not get the scholarship. Perhaps I would have gone back home and become a fisherman like my father.

A relative confirmed this a few years back. He told me that as much as I had passed my primary school exams, I might not have advanced in my education. At the time I am writing this, I am the only person who has gone to University in my family and I do not take this fact for granted.

BACKGROUND

My journey with Co-operative Bank Foundation begun in the year 2015 when I was joining high school at Precious Blood Riruta. At this was a time, my parents were experiencing difficulties in raising my school fees. My father is a tailor and my mum farms up-country. Together they have eight children.

One of our neighbours in Mathare, knowing the financial difficulties in my family, informed my father about the scholarship program. So, he started making enquiries and was referred to Sacco delegates. We applied for the scholarship and, luckily, we were successful.

I joined high school and completed my form 4 with a grade of A-. As I was one of the top performers, I was selected to join the University Scholarship Program. It gave me an opportunity to study at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to pursue Medical Biochemistry.

Working as an intern at the branch was a great opportunity, considering I was very young and inexperienced. I interacted with different professionals who mentored and encouraged me as they understood the needs and challenges of students like me.

Additionally, the stipend I received helped lighten the financial burden at home when there were difficulties. My life would have turned out quite differently had I not received the scholarship. When I can, I would like to assist other people because I know how much any assistance can change one’s life.