@ Mukiha AKA CfC Stanbic

You once touched on a very sensitive subject sometime back and you were to discuss it, though i have tried to dig it up in vain, i have brought the onus to myself and to bring all to perspective, Mukiha seems to hold a view that scholarships do not benefit poor children?? or should not be granted to poor children?
Please expound? clarify, site failed examples vis a vis successful ones??

Ric dees ( former Scholarship recipient)

@Sky5
True what you say, but in Principal is it the right call, that's what i'd like clarified.

EM

@Chaka
I think to make things clearer, let me sight case examples.

A young bright boy hailing from say Majengo, Ziwani performs extremely well in KCSE and is granted a scholarship to study in one of the IVY league schools in the US.
All factors considered, is the right thing for the boy education not withstanding, not forgetting the culture of America.

I hate it when they make qualifications for these sponsorship to be for the ones scoring straight As. Because many poor students learn under soo many difficulties and challenges that they may not achieve these high grades but are still bright. I know a boy who is poor and really would like to go to University, it is really frustrating him. He was out of school half of second term and the whole of third term because he lacked fees and still managed to score a C plus. But he does not qualify for any of the scholarships available or rather the ones that i have seen.
Does anyone know how i can help this boy.

@Ric Dees. He qualifies for admission in the private universities and for a degree in a parallel program. Lakini getting sponsorship is hell. Nevertheless, i have been encouraging him to just apply to any university and once he is admitted he can differ as we look for money to help him. I am sure others have studies in even worse circumstances

Asante leona. This boy is hardworking, gentle and really wants to have an education. I am doing my best to help him out and am sure he willsucceed. Will keep you posted. He wants to study law

@Mukiha
My parents were not poor, middle class i'd say and about Brightness well i cannot comment on that, they must have seen something in me.

The bright lads from Karen/Thoome do deserve scholarships? but IMHO they don't bring much to the table, besides above average grades AKA A what else??

See below..

Applicants can distinguish themselves for admission in a number of ways. Some show unusual academic promise through experience or achievements in study or research. Many are "well rounded" and have contributed in various ways to the lives of their schools or communities. Others are "well lopsided" with demonstrated excellence in a particular endeavor—academic, extracurricular or otherwise. Still others bring perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances or experiences.

I guess the starting point is the objective of the sponsor. Some sponsors give scholarships to the disadvantaged in the soceity - thse are the more common ones to the poor but with academic potential, while other give on merit, regardless of background - not a very gd expample but BBK used to (maybe still do) give high sch and university scholarships to top students of their employees.

@Mukiha - This is a delicate balancing act and some of the top schools in the west seem to have perfected it.
What you need to understand is this is probably an art rather than a science and the right mix is needed.
Poverty is not a tie breaker but the advantage of having lads from disadvantaged backgrounds is most importantly how they view life and what others can learn from them.What many people may not know a scholarship granted to a kid is not only beneficial to the individual but the most important aspect is what others will learn form the particular individual, its more geared for the team as opposed to the individual.

On my point of individuals from upmarket backgrounds is that quite frankly they do not bring much to the table most can play a musical instrument (anyone can learn), speak 2-3 languages puleez, etc etc but and i reiterate what will your peers learn from you as demonstrated by what life has thrown at you at hence the tendancy to focus on the poor coz boy some have stories..this s what most IVY league schools look for besides the A's.

Example
How many scored A's = Thousands
How many scored A's and were president of debate/science/maths club = same number.
How many scored A'S and played sports for the school team = well the number greatly reduces.
How many scored A'S, played for the school team and volunteered for something = reduces further.

Hope you get my drift here...like i said before it's what your bringing to the table that is worth the scholarship,

@Mukiha..

Social mobility is a sensitive topic and unfortunately the glass ceiling was raised as opposed to be broken hence your point of view on this subject.This is an ethical topic as well and what you may need to understand is that an applicant's need is key to this.

To help bring things to perspective please try help me answer this two questions below.

1 - List any scholastic distinctions you have won since entering high school and indicate the level of distinction.

2- List any non-scholastic distinctions you have won since entering high school and indicate the level of distinction.

This are real questions asked in a top IVY campus in the US. Now can we imagine how a rich kid v a poor kid would answer the above two questions.
And there would be your tier breaker my friend...

I have not categorically stated children from wealthy backgrounds do not have leadership skills etc. am sure some do .what i have said is they do not bring much.
By virtue of the lifestyle and how they have been brought up, children form the rich (majority) are downright lazy, selfish, most are aloof, always wanting to have their way and tend to struggle to adapt to a society that demands adaptability, change and team work.

I use the above comments with examples in mind of rich kids i schooled with and this was my conclusion.