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Africa Education Project “Lack of an education is more costly than an education.” |
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Tumaini Scholarship for Vocational Training
The Tumaini scholarship is designed to fight poverty by training young people for vocational careers. The Tumaini scholarship program was formally established in 2003 in Kenya and had its first scholar in 2004. The first Tumaini scholar studied carpentry at Kituro Youth Polytechnic in Karbarnet, Kenya. Beyond the financial support, the Tumaini program develops each scholar’s skills in entrepreneurship. Participation in the program develops and enhances skills that will be useful for each scholar’s family as well as their community and country. Mentors assist Tumaini scholars with career counseling, job matching, job readiness, life skills education, and entrepreneurial skills development. Eligibility and Eligible Funding Activities Eligible applicants for these scholarships are young people who are citizens of an African country. Applicants do not have to be graduates of secondary school but are preferrably graduates of primary school. The Tumaini scholarship may be used to support school fees and related material costs for vocational training. Any vocational training course is eligible including carpentry, tailoring, mechanics, masonry, etc. The rewards are renewable but scholars must submit a returning scholar's application form every year for continued funding. Program Requirements If the Tumaini scholar lives in the vicinity of Nairobi, they are expected to participate in quarterly group academic and social activities along with ALJ scholars. If the Tumaini scholars does not live in the vicinity of Nairobi, they are expected to meet with the AEP Program Coordinator twice a year. All activities and travel are fully-funded by AEP and are at no cost to the scholars. Tumaini scholars are expected to maintain high standards of academic performance, keep an exemplary attendance record at school, attend all AEP organized activities, and ensure that AEP receives a copy of grades at the end of each term. As long as the scholar meets the terms of the contract, AEP pledges to fund the student’s vocational education until the student graduates. If the scholar does not meet AEP’s expectations, the scholarship funding will be terminated. Fee Payment School fees are paid annually given that the student has satisfactory met AEP’s expectations. No funds are ever given directly to the student. Funds are disbursed directly to the scholar’s educational institution. The Selection Process Applications are usually due in September or October. Late applications are never accepted and are immediately disqualified. After applications are submitted, the Selection Committee reviews them and ranks them based on several criteria. Top applicants are invited to interview with the Selection Committee and the most qualified of the applicants receive the requested funding. Awardees are selected on the basis of their academic potential, leadership, essays as well as their financial neediness. Decisions are usually announced in December. The decision of the Selection Committee is final. The Application Form The 2006 Tumaini Scholarship Application is available. Applications are still being accepted. Completed scholarship applications should be sent to the Africa Education Project-Kenya, P.O. Box 56601, City Square 00200, Nairobi, Kenya. A complete application consists of:
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