Hatua Network Awards Scholarships to 120 Needy Students in Mombasa

MOMBASA: In a significant boost to education in Mombasa, Hatua Network, a non-governmental organization, has awarded a comprehensive ten-year scholarship to 120 deserving students. This scholarship covers both secondary and university education, providing a significant relief to the students and their families.

According to Kenya News Agency, the organization, founded in 2007 by Peter Kwame and Fondiller herself, began while they were conducting research at the Likoni Ferry Crossing channel. They initially interviewed street vendors and learned about the challenges they faced in supporting their families. “We realized that every parent we spoke to aspired to provide better quality education for their children,” Fondiller said during the scholarship handover event at the Star of the Sea Hall in Mombasa.

The initiative started with sponsoring seven children of the vendors they interviewed. However, due to the overwhelming demand and the significant impact observed, the number of beneficiaries was increased. This year, the organization received over 1000 applications, with students selected based on their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) performance and level of need. The scholarship includes not only educational funding but also mentoring, soft skills training, counselling, and guidance.

“We have now sponsored 1,000 students, which we are very excited about,” Fondiller shared. The beneficiaries, hailing from underprivileged families and excelling in school, were selected with the assistance of teachers from various public schools in Mombasa.

Mombasa County Executive for Education and Digital Transformation, Mbwarali Kame, praised Hatua Network for supplementing the county government’s educational efforts. Kame also mentioned that the county is working closely with Hatua Network and is in the process of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of a modern library in Mombasa County.

Among the beneficiaries is Mwanzala Obuya from the Likoni constituency, who expressed her joy and gratitude for the opportunity to continue her education. Parents of the scholarship recipients, like Peris Kule, also voiced their appreciation, recognizing the significant impact this support will have on breaking the cycle of poverty and opening doors for their children’s future.