The Scholarships
The education of this generation of children is not a quick fix to world poverty, but an essential step towards breaking the cycle of poverty. Our Primary and Secondary school scholarship programme has been designed so that you can decide whether to sponsor a single child, a number of children or simply donate to our charity so your funds can be used where they are needed most.
There is no greater gift than to offer a child the lifetime of prospects that a good education can afford them. In Kenya, for instance, just £75 will pay for the education of a single Primary School child for a whole year. We always encourage our benefactors to consider a child's complete education when they decide upon their scholarship contributions, but whatever you decide to donate will be gratefully received.
The SFK Model
Scholarships for Kids goes to great lengths to ensure that your contributions go to the right people.. The SFK model is therefore dependent on having professional partnerships with grassroots organisations, as we currently do with our local Kenya NGO partner. Our scholarships are only offered to those children in dire need that are most likely to succeed with your help. Once a child is recommended to the scheme one of our full time local co-ordinators will assess whether everyone involved in that child's education is 100% behind the process.
They will interview the child, their parents, school and teachers. It needs to be established that both child and parents have a desire for them to succeed in their schooling and see it all the way through, that their teachers believe the child has the ability to do so, and their school is prepared for the additional responsibilities of being involved with the scheme. Only those with the most desire and ability to achieve a full education, but in the poorest financial position, will be considered.
Final responsibility over selection is shared between our local co-ordinator and NGO partner KISA (the Kenyan Independent Schools Association).
This exhaustive selection process is designed to reduce the likelihood of children dropping out part of the way through their education, and increases the chances of the most inspirational children being selected to set an educational example for others to follow.
The Sponsored Child's Responsibility
The selection process does not stop once the funding starts to come in. Every child that receives our scholarships must continuously prove their dedication to make the most of your generous financial help. They must achieve an exemplary attendance record and pass all of their exams. If they are found to be abusing your generosity in any way their scholarship eligibility will be reviewed.
We want our efforts and your funds to go to the most worthy children so that not a penny is wasted that could make the difference in another child's life.
The School's Responsibilities
Only schools that show an excellent record of care for their pupils will be accepted into the scholarship scheme. Just like the child our scholarship is destined for, if the school lets their standards slip then their affiliation with us will also be reviewed.
The correct and responsible usage of your donations is of paramount importance to us. This is why all schools in our scheme must provide expense documentation on a regular basis so we can see how the funds are being spent. If any misappropriation is discovered then the school will automatically be removed from our scheme.
Helping A New Generation
Even in the poorest nations, this generation of children recognise the importance of education in moulding their futures. Every child that completes their schooling creates a ripple effect amongst their family and immediate community as an inspiration to others to do better and achieve more for themselves. The alternative is a life robbed of opportunities and prospects, destined to continue the cycle of poverty we wish to help them break free from.
Your help is needed
There is only so much we can do as a charity in our careful selection process, local monitoring and dreams of a better world for our generation's children. The rest comes from people like you whose generosity can make a real difference to those in most need.
If you would like to help in some way read more on our How You Can Help pages, contact us, or contribute a scholarship or make a donation towards the education of one of these children.