Chasing the dream in the US

Bare feet, patched clothing and clean shaven hair is the picture she paints when she describes her days in primary school.

The classes made of mud with no roof and no desks were the first that Ms Renice Atieno got when she started her education.

But all that is about to change. Her eyes brighten up when she describes what she has read about the university she is to join next month.

Her life has been full of struggles; no books, no teachers and her parents barely able to feed them and at the same time give her a basic education.

Economic growth

The Africa Airlift Programme to the United States, an initiative of Dr Susan Mboya, is a partnership between Coca-Cola East and Central Africa, Safaricom and the Zawadi Africa Education Fund.

Coca-Cola, through its Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, has donated Sh8 million which will go towards paying for air tickets, books and pocket money for the students. Safaricom has donated Sh1 million.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the partnership, Mr William Asiko, the President of the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation said that the progamme would contribute to laying strong foundations for the continent’s growth.

Ms Atieno is one of the 25 girls who will have their career dreams realised through the airlift programme. The girls, mostly from poor homes, have scholarships from universities in US and South Africa.

Her excitement is obvious: “I am going to study Computer Science. I have even taught my parents how to open an e-mail account so that we can communicate.”

She will be joining Rutgers University in New Jersey. Like her, most of the girls in this programme choose science courses.

Dr Mboya, daughter of slain politician, Tom Mboya, says her main focus is on girls: “Zawadi was inspired by the work of my father and I wish to follow in his footsteps, to continue his dream of making great leaders.”

Mr Tom Mboya arranged the “airlifting” of Kenyan students to friendly countries, mainly USA, for further studies through his programme.

Some of the beneficiaries include Barack Obama Senior, the father of US President and Nobel Laureate Prof Wangari Mathaai.

Tom Mboya’s initiative marks its 50th Anniversary tomorrow with a fund raising dinner-cum-farewell party for the girls.