Who qualifies for a scholarship
Each year, in January, interviews are held at Comboni Polytechnic in Gilgil. A respected elder of the community represents our interests and lets through only those who produce the correct paperwork. Young hopefuls and their parents/guardians then fill in an extensive questionnaire assisted by some of our older scholars and each is then interviewed by a panel consisting of representatives of the trustees and trusted local representatives. They have the difficult task of selecting around 20 bright, needy boys and girls from about 50 who have been allowed through the security gate.
Many of those selected are orphans or abandoned children. Sometimes a written task is used to decide borderline cases. The most heart-rending moment of the year comes at this time when the Chairman has to dismiss those who did not quite make the cut.
In line with trustees’ policy, we give some priority to applicants who have not taken the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams more than once Our aim to take 50% of boys and girls has always proved unattainable due mainly to local social and cultural reasons. The interview board does, however, make some allowance for this in their final selections.
