High School Scholarships
KDEF provides promising secondary school students from vulnerable families in Northern Kenya with the resources they need to complete four years of study in high quality boarding schools, without distractions or want for food, clothing, school and personal supplies and safe housing. KDEF focuses primarily on educating girls (70% of our students are girls) because boys have traditionally had more educational opportunities than girls in Kenya and with this focus we can begin to address this imbalance.
“The school I am in now is the best! The teachers and the environment motivate me to make my goals and dreams vivid. I know that to make my tomorrow better I need to do my best each and every day. I would like to be a neurosurgeon so I study hard and some day I can benefit others, help my village and family, and help more needy students in the world.”
DEZELAN NASERIAN LEPARACHAU studies at St. Teresa’s Wamba Secondary School. The fact that she is there, and the fact that she is a straight A student, is nothing short of miraculous. Dezelan lost her mother a few years ago. She and her father and sister live in a typical tiny thatch-roof hut in a part of northern Kenya that is remote and in drought. They can barely afford one meal a day and walk long distances to get water to carry back. Despite their hardships, at the end of the day they smile and love each other.
Why boarding schools?
Boarding schools provide structured study time and nighttime lighting that’s not possible at home.
With no household tasks to do after school, students can focus on learning in quiet, supportive surroundings.
Boarding schools provide the three healthy meals a day essential for learning. Contrast this with tea and bread once a day, a typical meal in the Drylands.
Boarding schools provide onsite health care services.
Boarding schools provide girls with a safe haven from family and peer pressures of early marriage.
Who can attend boarding schools ?
To qualify, students must score above 280 on the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam in 8th grade. Based on their results, they are placed into various boarding schools, a process managed by the Government of Kenya.
How much does sponsorship cost?
A sponsorship for four years of secondary schooling in a boarding school is $4,000 ($1,000 a year for 4 years).
What’s included in the fee?
The fee includes full tuition, room and board, uniform, shoes, books, and miscellaneous items. It also includes monthly performance monitoring.
Is it only for girls?
While KDEF focuses predominately on girls, 30% of our sponsored students are boys. For many years boys have had more education options, and by focusing the majority of our sponsorships on girls, we can begin to address this imbalance.
Who will I/we sponsor?
As soon as we can, we’ll send you a photo and profile of your student who will also send you an annual letter detailing their progress in school.
