1000 scholars commissioned for 2024 Equity wings to Fly programme

Nairobi, 

Sunday, 7 January, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

1,000 scholars have been commissioned for the 2024 Cohort of the Equity Wings to Fly scholarship program held on Sunday at Pangani girls high school in Nairobi. 

The scholars who were flagged off from different parts of the country had converged at Pangani Girls High School for a 2-day induction and training programme ahead of commissioning before joining secondary schools. 

Equity Group Managing Director Dr. James Macharia noted that the program offers more than a scholarship to needy students but an opportunity for them to change their narratives. 

"The Wings to Fly is more than a scholarship, it is a program that nurtures the best brains in the community to give them the best opportunities" Dr. James Mwangi Executive Chairman Equity Group Foundation.

It was the 14th Wings to Fly Program Wings to Fly program which is conducted annually targeting students who are bright but financially challenged. 

The selected students benefit from a comprehensive secondary school scholarship. 

The scholarship selection entails a Rigorous community - based verification process where the verification is done by community scholarship selection board. 

The scholarship covers the entire four years for a student catering for tuition fees, boarding fees, books, uniforms, transport and pocket money. 

The scholarship also includes a comprehensive psychosocial support and medical care whilst tracking the academic progress of the learner. 

The Programme seek to develop well-rounded individuals with innovative, creative and problem solving skills.

On joining the university, the scholars are enrolled to the Equity leadership programme where they are mentored to create solutions in solving critical problems in the society as they provide mentorship to their juniors and advice on innovative solutions to tackle societal challanges. 

Since its inception, the program has recorded a 97% secondary school completion rate. 

Equity reports that about 60,009 scholarship opportunities have been offered through the wings to Fly programme since its launch where a total of 18,735 scholars have joined public universities under the equity learning program. 

About 3,454 scholars have joined technical and Vocational training institutes (TVETs) and colleges for technical courses while a total of 890 scholars have secured admission at leading global universities. 

The Programme has also offered paid internship opportunities to about 8,337 Equity leadership program scholars at different equity branches across the country where they have gained professional skills and networked with professionals in the employment market. 

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja who graced the event urged the scholars to focus on the bright future ahead instead of looking back at the poor background they root from. 

"Your background will not determine your future, your attitude will determine your altitude." Sakaja said. 

The governor noted that the county government is committed to support education for the socially disadvantaged children by that he said the county government of Nairobi has allocated Sh 858 million to supporting needy students in Nairobi under the new Financial year budget. 

Meanwhile,the Ministry of Education which graced the event under Dr. Elijah Mungai, director of projects coordination state Department of basic education for CS Ezekiel Machogu called upon other social cooperations to join hands in adressing Socio-economic challages in the community. 

"What James Mwangi is accomplishing involves empowering these youths to ignite their own paths. His initiative offers mentorship, education, and financial assistance.

The Equity leadership program should serve as a lesson, especially for our community, emphasizing that aiding others in shaping their destinies doesn't breed competition. Rather, fostering dependency is detrimental.

His program has garnered significant support from various stakeholders, collectively making a substantial difference. I only wish there was a means to replicate this program's success." said Hache Abdi on Facebook.