We are excited to share the latest updates from the One Chance Fund's initiatives during the first quarter of 2024.
Education and scholarship
We have made a significant impact on the lives of 62 students, enabling them to achieve remarkable educational milestones.
- We have 43 students currently enrolled in high school and one student pursuing university education.
- 7 out of the 43 high school students have secured a sponsor, leaving a significant number of students in need of financial assistance.
- We are appealing to all our dedicated supporters to join us in reaching out to like-minded individuals and organizations who may be willing to sponsor these deserving students awaiting a sponsor.
- 4 students have successfully completed their college education
- 1 has already graduated and the remaining 3 awaiting their graduation in the coming month.
- These college graduates face the challenge of securing employment opportunities or internships in a tough job market.
- Driven by necessity, the majority of them aspire to establish small businesses to sustain their daily needs.
- We believe that providing them with a starter pack containing essential tools for their respective fields, particularly for those pursuing technical courses like electrical works, would greatly facilitate their transition into the workforce.
- 15 students have recently graduated from high school.
- Of these, 3 students achieved outstanding grades, scoring a C+ and above in their KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education), guaranteeing them direct entry into university.
- The remaining 11 students scored an average grade of C and will pursue diploma programs at various colleges.
- Additionally, 2 students who scored below a grade of C qualify to enroll in a one-year certificate course, after which they can continue their studies towards a diploma.
- The primary challenge they face is accessing funds to pursue higher education. Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient resources to sponsor all of them. However, we are actively guiding the students to apply for government college sponsorship programs and education loans from the Government of Kenya (GoK). Even with successful applications, sustaining their lives during their studies will remain a struggle for many of these students.
Q1 Activities :
Despite facing budgetary limitations, we have remained actively engaged in various initiatives to support our students' overall development.
- We distributed care packages containing essential student supplies and funds for personal items. We provided an opportunity for the students to visit the toi market, where they could spend a portion of their care package funds on personal items such as clothes and shoes. This experience aimed to foster accountability and financial management skills among the students.
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We supported Form 3 and Form 4 students in joining their peers on an agricultural education trip organized by the Olympics High school. This excursion enabled the learners to participate in educational exercises and gain practical insights complementing the theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom.
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We had the privilege of hosting two sponsors, Leandro and Roman, on separate occasions. These visits involved spending a day in Kibera, providing the sponsors with a firsthand experience of the community and an opportunity to interact with the students. This interaction allowed the sponsors to witness the impact of their donations and gain a deeper understanding of the program's efforts.
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Notably, Jackline's sponsor, Roman, extended his support by arranging private tutoring sessions to enhance her performance in Mathematics and Sciences. Roman's commitment stems from his desire to see Jackline achieve a grade that qualifies her for university admission.
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Furthermore, in response to the devastating floods in Kenya, we delivered flood relief food supplies to 29 affected students in Kibera, ensuring they had provisions to last approximately three weeks until the rains subsided, allowing them to resume their daily activities.
Budget and Expenditure
- For Q1, our total projected budget was $7,359, aimed at enrolling more students, funding tuition fees, providing student care packages, emergency response, academic trips, counseling sessions, and a girls' mentorship program. However, due to insufficient funds raised, we faced a budget deficit of approximately $2,515.
- To address this shortfall, we had to revise our budget and prioritize the most pressing needs. Despite our best efforts, we could not allocate funds for enrolling new students, running conselling sessions and introducing the girls' mentorship program.
- The revised Term I budget focused on covering tuition fees for our existing students, distributing essential care packages, facilitating academic trips and running basic admin expenses, as shown below.
- While we could not accomplish all our goals, we remain committed to supporting our students' educational journey to the best of our abilities within the available resources.
- We continue to seek additional funding to bridge the gap and ensure our students receive the comprehensive support they deserve. Your continued generosity and support are invaluable in empowering these young minds and shaping their futures.
Website update :
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In our continuous effort to better communicate our mission and vision, we are redesigning our website with a fresh new look and enhanced functionality.
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During this redesign process, which is expected to be completed by the end of May, we have temporarily stopped all sponsorship subscriptions and associated invoicing.
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Once the new website is live, we will reinstate sponsorships and send out invoices for any lapsed periods.
The past few months have been filled with accomplishments worth celebrating. We are proud to have guided several students to the finish line of their educational pursuits. However, the road ahead is not without its challenges. Securing adequate funding remains an uphill battle as we strive to provide our students with the well-rounded support they need to thrive.
To our valued supporters, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your unwavering generosity has been the driving force behind our efforts, empowering young minds and shaping futures. Your continued commitment is instrumental in ensuring that no student is left behind on their journey to success. Together, we can bridge the gap and create a brighter future for all.
