NASIRUMBI EDUCATION FUND (C/O ZAWADISHA)

Description

Born in response to a community’s plea to promote 'girl-child’ education, NEF was launched in May 2012 near the shores of Lake Victoria in partnership with the Centre for African Bio-Entrepreneurship (CABE). In 2015, NEF became a charitable project under the umbrella of the Zawadisha Fund (https://www.zawadisha.org/), a U.S./Kenyan non-profit organization. In 2023, NEF expanded support to boys and young men with a focus on gender inclusive education. NEF operates a comprehensive sponsorship program at two community-initiated secondary schools in Busia County, Western Kenya. NEF offers scholarships, learning materials, mentorship, and training to empower disadvantaged youth. Our program builds self-esteem, healthy values/habits, leadership skills, a strong work ethic, a sense of community and valuable livelihood skills. NEF works closely with school administrators, teachers, and parents to provide a conducive and safe learning environment, customizing support services to achieve greater impact. Including the 2023 cohort, NEF has awarded over 30 high school scholarships and 11 of the recipients have gone on to pursue a tertiary education. NEF also sponsors an annual 1-day health & wellness workshop for the entire student body and staff at the schools where we operate. Themes are selected in partnership with the students, and topics have included sex education, STDs, self-esteem and peer pressure, mental health, study habits, college advising and goal setting.