Most great initiatives begin with a simple but powerful idea. In Nairobi’s informal settlements, where many children face overwhelming odds, one scholarship program is rewriting what is possible.

The  Jubilee Education Fund (JEF), is an initiative that was sparked by a milestone birthday of African Population and Health Research Center’s (APHRC’s) founder Dr. Alex Ezeh. It was his 50th birthday, the year was 2012, and the vision was ably midwifed by his wife, Mrs. Nkee Ezeh. Driven by a desire to give back, Mrs. Ezeh approached APHRC to launch a fund dedicated to support bright, disadvantaged students. In the first year, JEF identified and supported 8 students who have since completed their studies and proceeded to impact the community in different ways.  The fund that began with a small budget where staff contributed has consistently  supported many in four communities of Nairobi namely; Korogocho informal settlement in Ruaraka, Viwandani Division in Makadara  Githogoro village near Runda Estate and informal settlements in Gathiga in Kiambu County being the latest addition to the list.

The true measure of JEF’s success lies in the futures it has unlocked and the ripple effect felt across the four communities it serves. Since 2013 when the first cohort was admitted, the fund has enrolled 76 students into the program 33 females and 43 males. We currently have a total of 46 students that we are sponsoring, 24 in form three and 21 in form two. The fund has realized dreams for many students who have excelled in their secondary school education to get admission into universities and colleges. Some of the Bachelors degrees pursued in the universities include: Bachelor of Science in applied computer science,  information technology, Public health, finance and banking, education, beauty, industrial chemistry just to mention a few. This has left an indelible mark in the communities, as one parent of a beneficiary remarked, “APHRC does not only ask us questions about research but educates students from very poor backgrounds in our community”. This statement has been echoed in community engagement meetings within Korogocho and Viwandani cementing the center’s relationship with the two communities that have catalyzed health, education and wellbeing research in Kenya.

JEF employs a thorough, multi-stage process to ensure that the scholarship reaches the most deserving and vulnerable students. The recruitment in these villages is normally done through the schools heads, local leaders among them village elders and local chiefs. The assessment is done from the schools to ascertain the student’s vulnerability which is verified by the area village elder. Application forms are distributed to the schools within the villages for parents/guardians of the needy students to fill. The forms are then signed by the primary headteachers, then area chiefs. A report is compiled and shared with the JEF committee who verify each case before shortlisting. A visitation is then made to the homes of the shortlisted students where interviews are conducted to verify their vulnerability.

During one of the end-year convenings of the beneficiaries, Abdifatar, a form three student  from Korogocho mentioned that “…if it was not for APHRC to sponsor my education, I would not have stepped in a secondary  school”, Despite scoring 372 marks out of the possible 500, in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), his mother could not afford the necessary school supplies and fees for the boarding school admission he had earned. Abdifatar’s story is similar to many within the four informal settlements.

Sophia, a form three student from Githogoro village, was grateful for receiving the opportunity to join the JEF program. Her mother was moved to tears when she received the good news as she had no prospects of getting money to facilitate her transition to high school. Andrew, a form 3 student from Gathiga had no hope of joining high school after the father was imprisoned and the mother abandoned him and his small siblings. Andrew expressed his resignation to his teachers before being selected saying, “I don’t see the need of continuing with school since nobody will pay my high school fee,” JEF has restored hope where there was none and reignited the student’s commitment to education and personal development.

JEF’s commitment extends beyond covering tuition costs. The fund aims to provide holistic support to ensure scholars can focus entirely on their studies and thrive in their school environments. Apart from the secondary school fees that are paid for students up to form 4, the female students get sanitary towels that last them for the whole term. All boarding students get transport to and from the school. Torn school uniforms are replaced when in form three, this ensures that the students look presentable in school.

While JEF provides vital financial aid, students often return home to environments marked by complex social challenges that can derail their education. These realities underscore the need for the holistic support mentioned earlier. A small percentage of the students have been affected by drug use. Some of these situations are contributed by the surroundings at home. If a parent sells bhang for survival, easy access to the drug may increase their chance to experiment and in some extreme cases the habit may escalate causing them to also follow suit and join the family business of distributing the drugs. One student dropped out in form three due to drugs. Several attempts were made to return him to school but it all proved in vain. “I am so addicted to glue that I cannot concentrate without it”. This was a statement from Tom (not his real name) from the Viwandani informal settlement who dropped out of school in form three, Tom scored 342 marks out of 500 in his end of primary school exams. During the October to December 2025 holiday, one student from Viwandani by the name John (not his real name) whose mother sells bhang has also suffered a similar fate and is currently receiving treatment at Mathari hospital to reverse the drug addiction.

Addressing the complex social and emotional challenges faced by our scholars requires interventions that go beyond textbooks. While the Jubilee Education Fund is committed to implementing focused wellness support strategies during non-school periods, additional support can be provided in two forms:

• Counselling sessions during holidays
• Mentorship sessions during school holidays

A gathering of JEF students at the APHRC Campus in December 2024 provided an opportunity for students to be mentored by APHRC personnel among them Dr. Vincent Were, Duncan Gatoto, Caliph Kirui and two JEF program alums. This cycle of mentorship ensures that the promise of education and holistic development is passed forward.

The students are educated through core funding allocation to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and further supplemented through individual staff members contributions as well as surrendered honoraria earned by staff members from supporting partner activities such as training facilitation, board allowances and related engagements. A simple birthday idea is changing lives and the effect is evident. Students who once doubted their future are now dreaming boldly, pursuing careers in science, education, public health, finance, and technology. Some are returning as mentors, proof that the cycle of transformation is firmly underway.

JEF is grateful for their consistent and unwavering support over the years. This fund reaffirms one truth: when opportunity reaches even the most underserved corners of society, potential rises, futures change, and entire communities are lifted.

And this journey is far from over.