Equity : calls for 2018 wings to fly scholarship applications

Equity group calls for 2018 wings to fly scholarship applications

So far, the Wings to Fly program has provided a total 14,168 scholarships to needy pupils across the country

Nairobi, Monday 27th November, 2017… Equity Group has called for applications for the 2018 Wings to Fly scholarship program. The applications are open until Friday 8th December, 2017. The scholarships are provided by Mastercard Foundation, Equity Bank Group and other partners. 'Deserving Pupils, who would otherwise not afford secondary school education, and who scored at least 350 marks in the 2017 Kenya Certification of Primary Education (KCPE) are requested to visit the nearest Equity Bank branch or an Equity Agent and request for the scholarship application form. Once they have received the forms, they need to complete them accurately and return them to a nearby Equity Bank branch by Friday 8th December.' Dr. Mwangi said.

Scholarship application forms are also available online from the Equity Group Foundation's website http://equitygroupfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Equity-WtF-Application-Form-2018.pdf. The applications will be reviewed, and the shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews by the Equity Group Foundation Community Scholarship Selection Boards (CSSBs). The boards comprise of at least 11 local community stakeholders, including chiefs, educationists, Equity Agent representatives and religious leaders in the County. Each CSSB is chaired by the County or Sub-County Education Officer and coordinated by the respective Equity Bank Branch Manager.

The program which is now in its 7th year supports bright but economically challenged pupils, who would otherwise not be able to join secondary school due to financial constraints. Beneficiaries are selected through a rigorous process that reviews the most deserving cases who have met the minimum score of 350 marks in the KCPE examinations. The scholarship caters for tuition and boarding fees, books, uniform, transport to and from school as well as pocket money for the four years of secondary school. Last year, the Foundation received more than 25,000 applications from needy students who sat for their 2016 KCPE examinations and were unable to finance their secondary school education.
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About the Wings to Fly Program
Wings To Fly program is a comprehensive secondary school Education and leadership program for top performing yet needy (orphan or vulnerable) students in Kenya. The Program is a partnership between Mastercard Foundation, Equity Group with support of USAID, German Government through KfW, and other partners. It is coordinated by Equity Group Foundation. The objective of the scholarship program is to provide financial support and leadership empowerment tools to the scholarship beneficiaries. The total number of scholarships given under the Wings to Fly since 2010 currently stand at 14,168. Every year the scholars attend an Annual Education and Leadership Congress to activate and inspire leadership as well as inculcating a culture of giving back to society. They interact with mentors, professionals, thought leaders, influencers and captains of industry who encourage them to take up leadership roles in schools. On average, 86% of the scholars hold one or several leadership positions during their secondary school academic life. Further, the program records a 97% secondary school completion rate with 88% of the scholars attaining university admission qualifying grades. The Wings to Fly scholars who score an 'A' grade in their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KSCE) examination qualify to join the competitive Equity Leaders Program (ELP) alongside the best performing girl and boy in each sub-county. ELP gives the scholars an opportunity for paid internship in the bank during which they go through leadership and mentorship coaching. To date, the program has benefited 5,060 scholars with 406 of them proceeding to top global universities including Yale, Harvard, Columbia, MIT, and University of Pennsylvania.

Equity Group Foundation
Equity Group Foundation was established by Equity Bank to create the financial and operational infrastructure for implementation of social impact programs. This innovation and creative vehicle has fully transformed the concept of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. While Equity Group Foundation champions the social economic transformation of the people of Africa and seeks partnership along seven thematic areas, Equity Bank provides the infrastructure for delivery hence reducing the operational cost while increasing the rate of return on the social investments. The seven thematic areas of the Foundation include Education and Leadership Development, Financial Literacy and Access, Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, Health, Energy, and Environment.

Mastercard Foundation
Mastercard Foundation is an independent, global organization based in Toronto, Canada. Through collaboration with partner organizations in 46 countries, it is creating opportunities for all people to learn and prosper. The Foundation's programs promote financial inclusion and advance youth learning, mostly in Africa. The Foundation is a separate and independent entity that established in 2006 through the generosity of MasterCard Worldwide when it became a public company. The policies, operations, and funding decisions of the Foundation are determined by its own Board of Directors and President and CEO.

Website: www.equitybankgroup.com
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