Residents urged to support education for the needy students

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Residents of Songhor-Soba Ward in Tinderet Sub-county resolved to combine efforts to support education after they held a fundraiser to help 28 young people from the area who are set to join various universities this year.

The Wednesday fundraiser, led by former Nandi County Assembly Speaker and gubernatorial seat aspirant, Joshua Kiptoo, brought together residents, community leaders, parents and other well-wishers who contributed towards helping the students meet the financial demands associated with joining university.

Kiptoo said the initiative underscored the community’s growing recognition that education remains one of the greatest gifts that parents and society can give to a child, particularly at a time when the cost of higher education continues to place pressure on many families.

The former County Assembly Speaker stated that investing in the education of young people was equivalent to investing in the future of the community, noting that financial challenges should not prevent deserving students from pursuing their academic dreams.

He urged residents to embrace a culture of supporting needy learners, saying that collective community action could make a significant difference in the lives of students whose parents struggle to raise school fees.

The gubernatorial aspirant said the 28 students represented an important investment for Songhor-Soba because their success would eventually benefit their families and the wider community.

He called on parents and guardians to continue encouraging their children to take education seriously, while challenging leaders and other well-wishers to complement government efforts in expanding access to higher education.

An education advocate, Sylvia Kemei, said the fundraiser demonstrated the importance of communities taking responsibility for the educational advancement of their children.

The advocate observed that while government programmes had expanded opportunities for learners, many students still faced difficulties meeting tuition, accommodation, transport and other expenses required when joining university.

“Education changes the trajectory of families and communities. When we support one student to complete university, we are not only helping that individual but also creating a professional who can later contribute to the development of the entire society,” she said.

Kemei urged residents to establish sustainable education support mechanisms rather than relying only on occasional fundraisers, arguing that a structured community education fund could assist more students every year.

A community elder, Caleb Chumo, said the initiative had revived the traditional spirit of collective responsibility, where members of society came together to support families facing difficulties.

He said education had become increasingly important in preparing young people to compete for employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in a rapidly changing economy.

“Children are our future, and the best inheritance we can give them is knowledge and skills. We may not be able to give every child wealth, but as a community we can help ensure that lack of school fees does not destroy their future,” he said.

Jessica Muloti, one of the parents who attended the fundraiser, expressed gratitude to Kiptoo and other residents for coming together to support the students.

Muloti said sending a child to university was a major financial undertaking for many rural families, particularly those whose livelihoods depended on small-scale farming and other modest sources of income.

She appealed to well-wishers to continue supporting the students throughout their university education, saying joining campus was only the beginning of a journey that required sustained financial and emotional support.

The funds drive has therefore emerged as a demonstration of the role communities can play in complementing government interventions in education.

For the 28 students, the support from the residents offers not only financial assistance but also encouragement that their community believes in their potential and is willing to invest in their future.

By Sammy Mwibanda

Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.