A Helpful and Timely Resource on the Farm Bill
The deadline for reauthorizing the Farm Bill comes at the end of September and though the deadline wil[...]
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The deadline for reauthorizing the Farm Bill comes at the end of September and though the deadline wil[...]
Visits to our companion parishes have a common script – the singing and dancing of the welcome, the [...]
We are not the first generation to be concerned about the future of the church. Five centuries ago, du[...]
Date posted: Thursday 06 September 2018
On August 29th and 30th the Bega Kwa Bega team - Frank, Pastor Msigwa, Ambassador Russ Hilliard, and myself - and four members of the DIRA staff - the Rev. Ambrose Mwakikoti (Director of Youth and Music), the Rev. Upendo Koko (Director of Women and Family Nurture), the Rev. Elisande Mhanga (DIRA Training Officer), and Hanael Gandwe (St. Paul Partners) - interviewed 53 applicants for scholarships from the BKB post-secondary education fund. A few of the candidates had applied for these same scholarships last year (the first year that they were offered) but were turned down. This year, with a larger number of applicants and a smaller pool of funds, we will have to turn down many more.
Most of the students who applied had managed to pay for their first year of school (in some cases two years of school) but are out of options for how to fund their education going forward. Several students had worked before starting school to earn enough money initially, but now cannot work enough while in school to pay the entirety of their school fees. Some students borrowed money from family and friends and, although unsure how to pay it back, are determined that they will. Some told us their families had borrowed money for their education but could not borrow any more. Many students told stories of being without one or both parents due to disability, death, or abandonment.
We spoke to students who are studying to be teachers, pharmacists, journalists, engineers, nurses, community development workers, livestock managers, laboratory technicians, medical officers, surveyors, accountants, and doctors. Every student was asked how he or she thinks they will contribute to the church when they complete their education. Here is some of what we heard:
All of these students passed either Form IV or Form VI in secondary school in order to be accepted into a diploma or bachelor's degree program. Even with many big obstacles in their way, including a limited number of spots available in secondary schools, they have even bigger dreams.
Deacon April Trout
BKB Program Coordinator
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