The KDEF Scholars initiative
The KDEF Scholars initiative by the Kenya Drylands Education Fund supports bright but disadvantaged students from Kenya's drylands, offering opportunities to excel academically and improve their communities. The program nurtures leadership and resilience, ensuring these scholars thrive despite environmental and economic challenges. Success stories from alumni highlight the transformative power of this initiative, demonstrating its positive impact on education and local development.
To help students adapt to high school life, KDEF's Kenya Country Director, Kura Omar, and the team personally escort first-year scholars on their first day. This support continues with regular school visits throughout the year to monitor progress and address any academic or personal challenges. Such individualized attention is pivotal for these students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend high school. It provides much-needed reassurance and guidance, empowering them to thrive in their new environment.
Excitement, nervousness, and a sense of gratitude fill the air as KDEF Scholars step into their new journey of high school—a first-time experience away from home for many. Parents assist with bags, while others arrive alone, relying solely on KDEF for essential supplies. For these students, this day symbolizes a dream realized. Their diligence in primary school and strong academic performance have brought them here, but without their sponsors, the future could have been starkly different, especially for girls at risk of early marriage. KDEF offers a lifeline, turning aspirations into reality.
Sponsor a KDEF Scholar FAQs
With the support of individual donors and foundation grants, KDEF provides promising students with three years of secondary school education at a high-quality boarding school, along with one year of post high school education.
01 How Much Does Sponsorship Cost?
A KDEF scholarship covering three years of secondary education and one year of support towards college/university costs $4,000 ($1,000 per year for four years).
02 What’s Included in the Sponsorship?
Your sponsorship covers:
✔ Full tuition, room, and board
✔ Uniforms, shoes, and school supplies
✔ Books and essential personal items
✔ School performance monitoring and home visits
✔ Post Graduation guidance
03 Why Only Three Years of High School?
As of January 2025, the Kenyan government has restructured the education system. The previous 8-4-4 system (eight years of primary school and four years of high school) has been replaced with a competency-based curriculum (CBC):
• 6 years of primary school
• 3 years of junior secondary school
• 3 years of senior high school
04 Why Boarding Schools?
Boarding schools offer students the best possible environment for academic success by providing:
✔ Structured study time and proper lighting—critical for learning, especially in regions without reliable electricity.
✔ A distraction-free setting—without household chores, students can focus entirely on their education.
✔ Three nutritious meals a day—unlike the typical meal in the drylands, which is often just bread and tea once a day.
✔ Onsite health care services—ensuring students stay healthy and receive medical attention when needed.
✔ A safe haven for girls—protecting them from early marriage and family pressures.
05 Who Can Attend Boarding Schools?
Our rigorous selection process is open to both boys and girls at the primary and junior secondary school levels. Each participating school nominates two students, and one is selected based on:
✅ Academic performance – Continuous assessment tests and acquired skills
✅ Behavior and effort – Demonstrated discipline and commitment
✅ Attendance – Consistency in school participation
✅ Financial need – Ensuring scholarships go to those who need them most
✅ Interview with the KDEF team – Evaluating communication skills and potential
06 Who Will I Sponsor?
Once your sponsorship is confirmed, we’ll send you a photo and profile of your student. Each year, your sponsored student will write to you, sharing updates on their academic progress and experiences.
By sponsoring a student, you are changing a life and helping to shape the future of young leaders in Kenya’s drylands. Your support also contributes to the economic growth of marginalized communities.
Our High School Students
