Andgate Foundation began its operations in 2018, then supporting only nine (9) students to enable them complete their 4 year studies under the Kenya Certificate Secondary School (KCSE) education system. To date, November 2022, the Foundation has been able to support over 27 students who are currently undertaking various degree and diploma programmes in Universities and Technical Colleges across the country. The students were supported through scholarships and community based learning opportunities to successfully complete their secondary education. The Foundation even set some of them off at their respective higher learning institutions as they sought alternative funding sources including Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
The Foundation is currently home to an additional Ten (10) Female and Fifteen (15) Male students who are admitted in National and Extra-County secondary schools in Kenya. The Twenty five (25) students are at different levels of study from Forms 1 to Form 4 and looking up to the Foundation with hopes to complete their secondary education.
We caught up with some of the Andgate Foundation alumni and here's how they feel about Andgate Foundation:
Juma Hans said "I am an alumnus of Sirembe Secondary School and a big beneficiary of the Andgate Foundation Scholarship. The Foundation has really had a great impact in my family [life] as it has enabled my sister and I to be where we are today. Andgate provided me the school fees much needed, thus I had a humble time for studies and indeed since then, my academic life has never been the same again.
I’m much grateful for the support they have always given me therefore I promise never to disappoint them. Ill always work hard and smart in my studies as a sign of gratitude to the Foundation. May the Almighty God bless the leaders and all the members of the Andgate Foundation.”
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Domnick Juma
“When I hear about the name 'Andgate', I think of the benefits I have enjoyed beyond my personal understanding. I am at the University of Eldoret, in Uasin Gishu County , Rift Valley studying
Bachelor of Education in Agricultural Education and was a full-time beneficiary of Andgate Scholarship from Form 2. We also enjoyed the revision that was sponsored by Andgate during Covid-19 forced closure period which positively impacted on my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results and I am very grateful. Andgate is also creating awareness on the importance of tree planting and protecting the environment that we live in. I thank all Andgate stakeholders and may God bless you, headed by my mentor Engineer Jared Ajwang'a.”
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Irene Obura reckons that no words could possibly express how happy she felt when she was informed that she was among the awardees granted the Andgate Foundation Scholarship.
“This foundation is like family and home too,” She delightfully responded. “ It has enabled me to interact with new people, whom I now consider as family too. As an alumnus I would like to thank you, for being generous and sponsoring my education since 2018 up to 2020/2021, It truly meant a lot to me, because it enabled me to be in school without being chased to go get school fees, thanks a lot.
Your generosity encouraged me not only to continue to be hopeful but also to continue on my academic path as a future educator. I may not be able to say this enough to you but thank you so much for your kindness”.
Irene is currently a 2nd year student at Kisii University, Kisii County, pursuing a bachelors degree in Education Arts.
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Dickson Okoth Orwa is a student at Karatina University, pursuing a Bachelors degree in Education Arts. He describes how the Foundation transformed his life.
“My high school fees was paid by Andgate foundation when I was stuck at home due to huge school arrears that my parent was unable to pay. During holidays Andgate foundation could provide motivation talks which also really impacted a lot in my life”. He appreciated Andgate Foundation for further aiding him in his entry years to the University by facilitating part of his University admission fees. “I’m very thankful to Andgate foundation for the great change in my life”. He added.
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“When the Covid-19 Pandemic disrupted learning in 2020,I was heavily affected since I was rendered incapable of undertaking some of the most important activities in my life”, says Faith. She went on to say that as a determined and focused student this was a hard time for her.
“However thanks to Andgate Foundation, I was given an opportunity and alternative to learning. The foundation developed a community-based learning strategy that brought together students from different schools; facilitated us with learning materials like examination papers and even outsourced for tutors to help us with areas of difficulty” she said.
“The program came in handy for me as we were able to keep our learning progress up to date and this was ultimately reflected in my final national examination. I am a proud associate of Andgate foundation and will actively ensure that the objectives of the organizations are met”.
Susan Odongo is a third year student at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, pursuing a bachelors programmes in Education Arts. She says “…being a beneficiary of this great organization, the organization and its stakeholders at large have significantly impacted a lot as far as my education journey is concerned. Through the organization's support, I have been able to carry on
with my studies and delightfully I'll soon meet my goals”
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We interacted with Sam Joel Odhiambo, a beneficiary of Andgate Foundation. Since he joined secondary school; and is currently a 1st Year student at Kaimosi University pursuing a bachelor’s degree programme in Education Arts (English and literature)
“I am happy to be have been member of this family and organization
because it's through their support
that I completed secondary school education and joined the University when my mother was not financially stable”. He adds “ I appreciate Mr. Jared Ajwang’a and the other members of the organization for their kind support. Andgate
foundation helped me not only financially but also academically; we were taught and gained knowledge from Mr. Khana whom I also I appreciate much”
He further went on to request for continued kind support not just for himself but other students who may be in need.
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@MarionKnight
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