The inaugural Wings to Fly class during their orientation in Nairobi before joining secondary school in 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE PROGRAMME 3

FOREWORD 5

STATEMENT FROM DR. HELEN GICHOHI, MANAGING DIRECTOR EQUITY GROUP FOUNDATION 7

ABOUT EQUITY GROUP FOUNDATION 8Education & Leadership Pillar .................................................................................8

THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS IN KENYA 9

ABOUT THE WINGS TO FLY PROGRAMME 10

THE WINGS TO FLY PROGRAMME SELECTION PROCESS 12Eligibility...................................................................................................................12Outreach & Application ..........................................................................................12Selection ..................................................................................................................13Induction & Commissioning....................................................................................13

THE WINGS TO FLY PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 15Rigorous Academic Standards ...............................................................................15Digital Tools to Enhance Learning .........................................................................18Mentoring Model ....................................................................................................19Annual Education and Leadership Congress .........................................................21

SUMMARY OF IMPACT 22Impact Stories ..........................................................................................................23Testimonials from Teachers and School Leaders ..................................................30Scholar Profiles: 2010 Wings to Fly Scholars Transition into Equity Leaders Programme (ELP).....................................................................................................32

Scholar Profiles: 2011 Wings to Fly Scholars Transition into Equity Leaders Programme (ELP).....................................................................................................35

LOOKING AHEAD 38

FROM SECONDARY SCHOOL TO HIGHER EDUCATION: EQUITY LEADERS PROGRAMME (ELP) 39Mentoring a New Generation of Leaders ..............................................................39History of the Programme ......................................................................................39Our Leadership Development Model ....................................................................41Major Initiatives .......................................................................................................42Our Scholars ............................................................................................................43Our Impact ...............................................................................................................44Scholar Profiles: Equity Leaders Programme (ELP)................................................45

STATEMENT FROM PARTNERS 51Statement from Reeta Roy, President and CEO The MasterCard Foundation ....53Statement from Karen Freeman, Mission Director, USAID ...................................54Statement from Department For International Development (DFID) ..................55Statement from KfW Entwicklungsbank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) ..........................................56

ABOUT THE PARTNERS 57Equity Group Foundation (EGF) .............................................................................58The MasterCard Foundation ..................................................................................58USAID ......................................................................................................................58DfID ..........................................................................................................................59KfW ..........................................................................................................................59

Transforming Africa

2

Transforming Africa

THE PROGRAMME

3

Transforming Africa

Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr. James Mwangi shares a moment with Wings to Fly scholars during the Education and Leadership Congress.

4

Transforming Africa

ForewordThe Wings to Fly programme successfully completed the enrollment of the first five year phase in January 2015. The programme was launched as a partnership between Equity Group Foundation (EGF) and The MasterCard Foundation in 2010. EGF is particularly indebted to The MasterCard Foundation for making the first significant grant of USD 40.9M to support 5,000 scholarships. This gift and the success of the Wings to Fly programme attracted other like-minded donors enabling the programme to grow and rapidly expand to 10,377 scholarships. This demonstrates the power of partnerships. I wish to most sincerely thank our partners: The MasterCard Foundation, UKAid, USAID, DfID and KfW.This programme was inspired by our shared vision and belief that the destiny of young people is not tied to the circumstances of their parents. Young people have the potential to break the cycle of poverty and change their destiny, that of their families and society, if they are given access to education and leadership skills. The programmes objective is to give academically talented children from vulnerable backgrounds an equal opportunity to access secondary school education, university education and a pathway to transform their lives and those of their villages and wider communities. The growth and evolution of the Wings To Fly programme has been inspiring and fulfilling. The programme has had a transformational impact on the scholars and their families. They have maintained exemplary academic performance while also demonstrating leadership capability by taking up roles such as school prefects, games captains, and club leaders while upholding discipline and focus in their academic pursuits. Some of them have represented their schools in competitions and international forums earned by merit. By 2015, the first two cohorts that had completed secondary school education posted exemplary results:

41% (2010 cohort) and 30% (2011 cohort) scored an A grade in their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, compared to the national average of 3%

94% (2010 cohort) and 93% (2011 cohort) scored C+ or higher (which is the minimum grade for university entrance in Kenya), compared to the national average of 27% 5

Transforming Africa

The Wings To Fly programme, as a case study, has become a demonstration of the potential of our children. The first one is hope. The scholars have demonstrated that retaining hope against all odds can change ones destiny. The second one is resilience as seen in the stories of our scholars lives, and the third is determination. The fourth lesson is the power of opportunity. It shows the potential of a people to transform themselves and realize their full potential when availed an opportunity. These scholars have espoused these values, and they continue to make us proud of the decision we made with The MasterCard Foundation and our other partners to walk with them in their academic and social journey to discover their full potential, to redefine their future, and to prepare for transformational leadership. The Wings To Fly programme aligns with Kenyas Vision 2030 agenda which has the objective of investing in the young people of Kenya in order to improve the quality of life for all Kenyans and transform Kenya into a middle class economy. By giving Wings To Fly to some of our best brains, we are unlocking the early demographic dividends from these energetic, enthusiastic, determined and focused young Kenyans who hold Kenyas promise. They are a group of well prepared, value based and compassionate future leaders who will realize Kenyas dream of growth and prosperity and become a generation of servant leaders. That is the legacy we wish to bequeath Kenya, that of creating a generation of world citizens with a mentality of abundance, bound together by national pride, determination to create a better world and maintain peaceful coexistence with all communities and people across all walks of life.

Dr. James Mwangi, CBSExecutive Chairman - Equity Group Foundation6

Transforming AfricaStatement from Dr. Helen Gichohi, Managing Director Equity Group FoundationEquity Group Foundation (EGF) is committed to the social and economic transformation of the people of Africa. Education is a critical driver of transformation at the individual, community, and national levels. However, many economically disadvantaged families struggle to provide their children with this basic opportunity. This results in the loss of many bright minds, to the detriment of Kenyas future. In line with the aspirations of Vision 2030, EGF places a high priority on education, and we are committed both to facilitating increased access to quality formal education opportunities as well as to developing talent and the leadership abilities of Kenyas youth. Our journey with the scholars these last few years has been both inspiring and educating. Our interactions with them has taught us a great deal about the human spirit, the strength and determination that very young people can have in pursuing education, and what a motivating force it can be in achieving success. We have also learnt the type of support the scholars require to be successful in their academic and personal leadership journeys. The scholars are unanimous in expressing the inordinate value of the Annual Leadership Congress. In their own words, it has helped them believe that anything is possible from their interactions with leaders from Kenya and around the world. We have also learnt about the value of individual or small group mentoring and on the academic side the subjects and topics scholars find difficult. The latter has led us to seek mobile and digital tools to provide this much needed support.We join scholars families and loved ones in witnessing with tremendous pride the unfolding journeys of these young people. These scholars are already inspiring primary school students in their communities, changing cultures in their schools, and taking on formal leadership positions.With the continued support of our partners, we will continue to help shape a more prosperous and equitable future for our country and the world through these life-changing investments in education. We thank Equity Bank, Thye MasterCard Foundation, USAID, UKAid, KfW, DSSBs and each of you for playing a part in this amazing journey.

7

Transforming Africa

About Equity Group FoundationEstablished in 2008, Equity Group Foundation (EGF) is a not-for-profit implementing foundation based in Nairobi, Kenya that champions the social and economic transformation of the people of Africa. Born out of Equity Banks commitment to servicing the poor as part of its core business model and through its long-standing corporate social responsibility initiatives, EGF designs and delivers high-impact social development programmes across seven strategic pillars: Education and Leadership Development, Financial Inclusion and Literacy, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, Health and Environment. Since its founding, EGFs programmes have helped over six million Kenyans advance on journeys to more secure and productive futures.EGF has demonstrated social impact across Kenya by leveraging Equity Banks extensive infrastructure and through strategic partnerships with government as well as local and international actors. In the coming years, EGF looks forward to expanding its programmes and each pillars reach to Equity Banks other markets, including South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and beyond, as part of EGF and Equity Bank Groups commitment to socio-economic transformation throughout Africa. EGF is committed to impacting the lives of 100 million Africans by 2024.

Education & Leadership PillarThrough the Education & Leadership Development pillar, EGF increases access to and transition through secondary and tertiary education and provides leadership and career development in order to break the cycle of poverty and develop the next generation of leaders. EGFs programmes, Wings to Fly and the Equity Leaders Programme (ELP), focus on secondary and tertiary education to fulfill a large and constantly growing unmet need for increased and more equitable access to education.

8

Transforming Africa

The Need for Comprehensive Education Scholarships in Kenya Education is universally recognised as an important factor contributing to economic growth and competitiveness, poverty alleviation, improved health, and increased stability for individuals, families, and entire nations. In its 2012 Education for All Global Monitoring Report, UNESCO estimated that every $1 spent on a persons education yields $10 to $15 in economic growth over that persons working lifetime. In 2003, the Kenyan government made an important policy decision, to provide free primary education. This resulted in a nearly 15% increase in school enrollment in just one year. Yet many challenges remain in delivering quality, comprehensive education to all children, especially beyond primary school level, for the poor and vulnerable. The Kenyan Government is actively seeking ways to mitigate the expenses of secondary school, but in the meantime, the cost of secondary school remains on average twelve to twenty times as much as the monthly income of parents in Kenyas rural areas. The challenge is similar in urban slum areas. Consequently, of those who sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2013, only 77% are expected to transition to secondary school, and of these, only about 13% will make it to public universities.The transition to university education is equally as challenging for most students. Only 27% of the students graduating secondary school in 2013 earned a C+ or above, which is the minimum grade required for university admissions in Kenya. Even fewer qualified for government Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, which only supports tuition fees. Students who qualify for university loans must therefore raise additional money to cover food, accommodation and transport costs.

9

Transforming Africa

About The Wings to Fly ProgrammeThe Wings to Fly programme is a partnership between The MasterCard Foundation, Equity Bank and EGF, with generous support from UKAID and USAID and the German Cooperations KfW. Since 2010, the programme has grown from an initial commitment of 5,000 scholarships worth US$ 40.9M to 10,377 scholarships worth US$ 92M. The Wings to Fly programme increases access to quality secondary schooling and supports student success for academically promising yet financially disadvantaged students from across Kenya. The programme provides comprehensive scholarships covering tuition, room and board, books, transportation, uniforms, medical support, transport to and from school, and incidental expenses, for the duration of students secondary school tenure. EGF also provides additional services including medical check-ups, psycho-social counseling, and digital learning tools to supplement and enhance scholars learning. These provisions enable Wings to Fly scholars to start secondary school on a more equal footing with their peers. In addition to financial support, the Wings to Fly programme also seeks to develop the next generation of leaders through leadership mentoring and social transformation programmes. The leadership and mentorship component of the scholarship is a collaborative structure that involves Equity Banks senior managers, university students from the Equity Leaders Programme, and mentors from various professions who interact with scholars every year during the Annual Leadership Congresses.EGF ensures that its selection process is transparent and community-based, and that the scholarship package is comprehensive enough to fully remove the barrier of costs to recipients. These elements distinguish Wing to Fly from other scholarship programmes and have been hailed nationally as a model for scholarship selection and design.

10

Transforming Africa

2012 Wings to Fly Scholars present a memento to President Mwai Kibaki in appreciation of his Governments Free Education Policy which was implemented in 2003 and enables all children to attend free primary school.

His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta receives a memento during the commissioning of Wings to Fly 6th cohort in 2015.

11

Transforming Africa

The Wings to Fly Programme Selection ProcessEligibilityThe programme targets high-achieving yet needy (orphan or vulnerable) students. EGF through the District Scholarship Selection Board (DSSB) uses the following selection criteria:

1. Academically Promising students perform in the top 5 percentile in their district on the Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination

2. Orphans or Vulnerable Children (as defined below): Children who have lost one or both parents and have no guardian or sponsor to provide for their education Children whose parents are physically or mentally disabled and are unable to educate their children Children whose parents are living with HIV/AIDS or other chronic, debilitating illness and are unable to

educate their children Children from families affected by natural disasters such as flooding, drought, and famine or civil conflict

and are unable to educate their children Children who have suffered neglect and/or abandonment Children with parents living under extreme poverty and are unable to educate their children

Outreach & ApplicationEGF leverages Equity Banks extensive reach across Kenya to ensure broad public awareness of the scholarship opportunity annually. EGF employs public forum announcements, digital and print media placements, radio broadcasts, and direct communication to academic institutions to ensure that interested and qualified students, their parents, and teachers know how to access Wings to Fly. As soon as KCPE results are announced, application forms are available at local schools, religious and community institutions, and at all Equity Bank branches and Equity agents nationwide. Wings to Fly applicants are required to fill these forms with a parent/guardian and submit their application to the nearest Equity Bank branch.12

Transforming Africa

SelectionOne of the defining features of the Wings to Fly programme is the transparency and inclusivity of the selection process. The DSSB have been institutionalised and serves as the main organ for selecting scholars. Upon receiving applications from the candidates, the DSSB reviews, shortlists, interviews and selects students to receive scholarships using predefined criteria. The DSSB is chaired by the District Education Officer (DEO) and coordinated by Equity Bank branch manager(s) in that district. The Board is comprised of a minimum of 13 local community representatives including Heads of Primary & Secondary Schools Associations; District Social Development Officers; Constituency Develop Fund (CDF) chair; religious leaders; local women and youth leaders; Equity Agent representatives; and provincial and civic administration. The DSSB remains a crucial link in ensuring objectivity in the selection process, making it possible to verify the application. The wide representation of society in the DSSB makes the process widely accepted in the community as a transparent and inclusive process.

Induction & CommissioningOnce selection is finalized, DSSBs host a Flag-Off Ceremony, which convenes newly selected Wings to Fly scholars as a district cohort and prepares them for their Wings to Fly induction and commissioning in Nairobi. Scholars then travel to Nairobi for a week-long induction. For some children, this is their first time in Nairobi, the countrys capital. During the week, scholars are prepared to join the Wings to Fly programme and to transition to secondary school. Students also receive medical and psycho-social check-ups and follow-ups, if needed. At the end of their induction week, the new intake of Wings to Fly scholars participates in a commissioning ceremony in Nairobi under the patronage of His Excellency The President of the Republic of Kenya. Being addressed and encouraged by the President and other honored guests gives the students a great deal of pride in their achievements and fuels their determination to seize this unique opportunity and succeed in their studies. The commissioning is broadcasted across radio and television channels so that the entire nation can celebrate the accomplishments of its youth.

13

Transforming Africa

During the selection process, Wings to Fly applicants are interviewed and visited at their homes by DSSBs and programme partners14

Transforming Africa

The Wings to Fly Programme StructureTo ensure students acquire the academic knowledge and leadership skills needed to thrive, the Wings to Fly programme includes several components: rigorous academic standards, digital tools to enhance learning, mentoring, and Annual Education and Leadership Congresses.

Rigorous Academic Standards Scholars commit to maintaining the performance that allowed them entry into the Wings to Fly programme. They are expected to maintain an average grade of B or above. EGF, in turn, provides support to help scholars not only achieve high grades but also grow personally and develop as leaders.Scholars academic performance is monitored closely by EGF and their mentors. Scholars are required to submit report cards to their EGF Branch Champion each term. As soon as a scholar falls below the academic standard of a B average, the scholar receives a written academic alert and is required to create an action plan in consultation with their teachers and mentors. At the end of each term, the scholars progress will be reviewed by the support team. If a scholars academic performance has not improved after two terms, the scholar will be put on academic probation. The scholar will only be released from the Wings to Fly programme if the scholars academic performance has not improved after three terms of academic probation.

15

Transforming Africa

16

Transforming Africa

Commissioning of the Wings to Fly 2014 scholars

17

Transforming Africa

Digital Tools to Enhance Learning In order to support scholars academic performance, scholars are given access to Wings to Fly Learning, a collection of carefully curated digital content and experiences. This content is designed to equip scholars with critical 21st century skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will assist them in school, the workplace and beyond. The content includes a wide range of engaging, practical, relevant, and applied learning opportunities, including video tutorials, quizzes, and motivational talks, that are both aligned with and supplementary to the Kenyan curriculum. Currently, scholars can access this content via a range of affordable and appropriate technologies including zero-rated Equitel SIM cards, USB sticks and other innovative devices and access points, allowing students to learn while they are in and out of school and on their own time. The programme is also designed for use by students, teachers and the general public, so that over time these resources will impact the wider education system.

The scholars learning how to use the mobile learning platform on Equitel

Video tutorials aligned with the Kenyan curriculum available to scholars on Wings to Fly Learning USB sticks

18

Transforming Africa

Mentoring ModelEquity Group Foundation (Core)Mentoring is a core part of the Wings to Fly programme. EGF builds a support network for each Wings to Fly scholar by mobilizing individuals to serve as mentors for the scholars, including Equity Bank Leadership and staff; high-achieving pre-university and university students, mostly drawn from the Equity Leaders Programme (ELP); and community members through the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) and District Scholarship Selection Boards (DSSBs). These mentors support scholars academically and personally throughout their secondary school education. Support is provided during the school term and even during holidays. EGF Mentoring Field Coordinators provide the technical leadership, train mentors and serve as the focal point of coordination, execution and reporting for all mentors and scholars.

Equity Bank staff (1st level)The BGDMs of scholars home branch is the first point of contact for the scholars in their geographical area. The BGDMs build strong relationships with scholars parent(s)/guardian(s) and school. BGDMs also play a critical role in mobilizing Equity Bank staff to volunteer as mentors. In addition to the BGDMs, each branch designates an EGF Branch Champion, who works with the BGDM and EGFs Mentoring Filed Coordinators in order to ensure sustained contact with the scholars. EGF Branch Champions work with schools to ensure scholars submit report cards and receive school fees and other supplies on time.

University Role Models (2nd Level)Each scholar is mentored by a university student drawn from Equity Leaders Programme (ELP). ELP scholars are top pre-university and university students, who graduated from the same secondary school where the Wings to Fly scholar is attending; many ELP scholars are also beneficiaries of the Wings to Fly programme, and therefore share similar backgrounds. ELP scholars, as the youngest mentors in the programme, are able to build a special relationship with Wings to Fly scholars and support them both emotionally and academically during the four years of secondary school. 19

Transforming Africa

To build this relationship, ELP scholars spend the entire one-week commissioning with their mentees, visit scholars at school every term, and spend two-weeks together each year during the Annual Leadership Congresses.

Community Level (3rd Level)Community support for positive youth development is a key contributor to the mentorship program. EGF integrates the support received from various parties to ensure the success of each scholar. These include:

Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA): Scholars Primary School Head Teachers, having known the scholars for a longer period of time, maintain communication with scholars throughout secondary school and are able to help in the transition.

District Scholarship Selection Boards (DSSBs): In addition to selection, the DSSBs are also charged with tracking scholars academic performance and general welfare over the course of the four-year scholarship. To facilitate interaction between the DSSBs and scholars, the DSSBs host at least two mentorship forums per year during the school holidays.

20

Transforming Africa

Annual Education and Leadership CongressA two-week Annual Education and Leadership Congress, typically held in August, enables Wings to Fly scholars to interact with local and international leaders, while also strengthening their relationships with their mentors and Wings to Fly peers. Each year the congress focuses on specific themes, which have included: From Class Leader to World Leader (2010), Nurturing Global Leaders (2011), Developing a Global Edge (2012), Value Based Leadership (2013), Preparing Ethical Leaders for a Global Society (2014), and Leadership and Giving (2015). Scholars have frequently credited congresses for broadening their worldview, inspiring them to believe that they too can succeed, and sparking an interest in leadership. In 2014, 79% of scholars reported that their decision to assume leadership roles, such as school presidents, captains, prefects, and council/club leaders, was heavily influenced by speeches they heard at Congresses.

21

Transforming Africa

%41(2010) %67(2010) %94(2010)%30(2011) %50(2011) %93(2011)

earned an A grade in their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, compared to the national average of 3%

earned B+ or higher on their KCSE examinations

earned C+ or higher, the minimum grade for university admission, compared to the national average of 27%

%99(2010)%98(2011)

successfuly completed secondary school education

%79of scholars reported leadership roles as school presidents, captains, prefects, council and club leaders as well as founders of mentoring programmes and community-based organizations

Wings to Fly scholars were admitted to the Equity Leaders Programme

Summary of Impact

115 (2010)340 (2011)

22

Transforming Africa

IMPACT STORIES

23

Transforming Africa

Yusuf KasidiSecondary School: Alliance High School

Grade: Form 4

School Leadership: Prefect for Sponsorship Department

Community Leadership: Founder of BUKISAMIKA, mentoring programme

Yusuf grew up in Voi sub-county, a small village in the Coast Region, where he attended a school with mudfloors and few teachers. The eldest of four children, Yusuf often missed school to care for his siblings while his parents worked as casual laborers in order to provide the familys next meal.Yusufs life changed when Simon Mwatela, a Wings to Fly scholar and alumnus of Yusufs primary school, told Yusuf and his peers that despite their families financial situations, they too could access secondary school through the Wings to Fly scholarship programme. Hearing this, Yusuf was inspired and started arriving at school before 6am to study on his own before the school day began. As a result of his hard work, Yusuf attained a 417 out of 500 marks on the KCPE, and with the support of his head teacher, Yusuf applied and was accepted into the third cohort of Wings to Fly in 2012.Days later, Yusuf left his home for the Wings to Fly induction and commissioning, where he realized that with education, poverty could no longer trap me or my family. Yusuf joined

24

Transforming Africa

the class of 2012 at Alliance High School in Kiambu County, Central Province alongside 358 peers, 34 of whom are Wings to Fly scholars. He explains:

Having the opportunity to attend high school has changed my life. I have participated in an international exchange programme to Uganda, exercised my leadership skills, and connected with

teachers and peers who really care about me.Moreover, through being mentored, Yusuf has learned to mentor others. He is currently a mentor to a Form 2 class at his school and has launched a mentorship programme, BUKISAMIKA, reaching 70 primary school students across five villages in the Coast region.

At 19, Yusuf is currently in Form 4 and hopes to join ELP and study pharmacology abroad. However, before leaving for university, Yusuf wants to work for Equity Bank in order to see my sisters through high school and show my appreciation to Equity for the Wings to Fly scholarship. Reflecting upon how he has changed over the course of the Wings to Fly programme, Yusuf says:I have changed a lot. I am bolder than ever before. Our dad, Dr. James Mwangi, gave us Wings to Fly. Now that I have wings, I must soar like an eagle. I have no excuse to fail. I know I have to change my

societys life.

Fatuma Salim, Yusufs Mother The Wings to Fly programme has really helped my son not only access his high school education but also supported his wholesome growth. It has actually transformed him from a boy into a gentleman. He is very hardworking and inspiring. After the Annual Leadership Congresses, I have seen him rise to leadership and help others. Moreover, the programme has relieved his father and me the burden of school fees and the basic needs Yusuf has required in high school. In fact, were it not for Wings the Fly programme, my son would now be at home. I am very grateful to Dr. James Mwangi and all the stakeholders.

25

Transforming Africa

Mrs. Gladys Olang, Teacher in charge of the Sponsorship Department at Alliance High SchoolYusuf Kasidi is a talented young man, who, had it not been for the Wings to Fly programme, might have not had the opportunity to attain a secondary school education least of all be able to attend Alliance High School, one of the nations best schools. Yusuf is without a doubt, an incredibly talented and hardworking young man. He demonstrated this not only in his KCPE exam, which earned him a spot at Alliance, but also throughout his secondary school career as one of the top students in his class. Yusuf is also a leadera humble and kind one. He was appointed as a class monitor in Form 1 and has subsequently become a senior prefect in the Sponsorship Department, a position which shows not only his leadership capacity but also his desire to serve students from difficult backgrounds.

Susan & Purity WanguSecondary School: Mugoiri Girls High School

Completed Form 4 and Sat for the KSCE in 2014Twin sisters Susan and Purity were raised by a singlemother, who died of tuberculosis when the girls were nine years old. A year later, when their grandmother died, Susan and Purity were taken to a childrens home in Narumoro. Their life changed when they learned about the Wings to Fly scholarship programme on the radio. When they were accepted, Susan says, We thought we would never go to high school, and the scholarship gave us hope for a better tomorrow.Purity and Susan have now completed Form 4 at the top of their class with scores of 75 and 70, respectively, on the KSCE. Purity dreams of studying industrial chemistry, and 26

Transforming Africa

Susan dreams of becoming a nurse. In addition to studying at university and pursuing careers in their respective fields, Purity hopes to one day open a childrens home.

In reflecting upon what they have learned through the Wings to Fly programme, Purity says, Dr. James Mwangi taught me that I could shine for the whole world, and Susan shares, Reeta Roy inspired me that even when I grow up to be a great person, I shall not forget to help my family and others, especially needy children.

Josphat Loukot LowoiSecondary School: Lenana High School

Grade: Form 4

Leadership: School Captain Born in remote Turkana County in north-western Kenya, Josphat is one of nine children. Facing drought and ongoing tribal conflicts, Josphats family moved to Baringo County. When Josphat began class 1, his father left. As a result, Josphat could not attend school and began working to help his mother feed the family. Josphat remembers buying milk from farmers and collecting wood from the forest in order to sell to nearby plantations as well as serving water in restaurants to try to earn money for his familyWhen his eldest brother became a teacher, Josphat was able to return to school. Despite having missed two terms, Josphat completed class 1 at the top of his class and held his spot through class 8, receiving a score of 395 on the KCPE. He learned about Wings to Fly from his brothers wife, who traveled to a neighboring town to get an application. Josphat applied, and in January 2012, Josphat joined 2,144 scholars at the Wings to Fly induction and commissioning. 27

Transforming Africa

He remembers:

I met children who had experienced some of the same challenges; some children had stories

that were even sadder than my own. At the same time, I met people who had struggled in life, but had succeeded and become stars. I learnt not to be ashamed of my background.

It gave me hope that even though I had a challenging past, I could still have a brighter

future.Josphat enrolled in Lenana School, and over the last four years he has excelled as a student and leader. Josphat was voted School Captain, receiving 96% of his schools votes. He credits the Annual Congresses for teaching him how to lead.

He remembers:

The Leadership Congresses transformed me and my leadership. Before I thought a leader had to be very authoritarian, like a dictator. Now I see leadership as a conversation. I learnt that as a leader, I shouldnt command people, but instead listen to know their problems and work with them to solve

problems. When I lead, I learnt to leave room so that everyone can chip in to solve a problem.In 2014, Josphat wrote his first book, a revision manual for chemistry, titled Precise et Revisia Manual, and he also teaches chemistry, mathematics, and physics nightly. Smiling, he says, The Form 1 and 2 students call me Mwalimu, which means teacher in Swahili. He explains that he wrote the manual and teaches because I never felt good seeing my peers suffer in a subject. I felt it was my duty to make sure everyone is ok.

28

Transforming Africa

Josphat wants to study law at Harvard University. He says that he loves science, but my passion to help others drives me to law. I want to know the law well, so I can fight against injustice. I want to be a person who brings change to the world. Josphat recently learned that he has been accepted into the African Leadership Academy in South Africa, where he will take the next steps toward achieving his dreams.

Sara Lotia, Josphats MotherI am at a loss of words to describe the help Equity Group Foundation has given my family. My dream of being a top plus mother has been restored by my 5th born son who has greatly been aided by Equity. I am now sure and confident that I will wear decent clothes some day. I am very happy by the way my son has been shaped and molded by the congresses and mentorship programmes. My son is now more focused and well-informed on various issues affecting the nation. He reasons out like a world-class person who is ready and armed to take Africa and the world to the next level. I have heard him say that he will pioneer the wiping out of unethical leadership in Africa. He also already has taken action by ending bullying at his school and offering mentorship to students in local schools. This virtue of commitment and determination has also been instilled in my other children through his example. This, therefore, makes our family to be termed as a happy one by the very same people who termed us societal rejects before. The sleepless nights I had worrying where I would get the money to further the education of my son has been turned into nights of hope. Equity Group Foundations impact is not only felt by the family, but also felt by the larger society. I was struggling to fend for the family single-handedly by working odd jobs like in the slaughter house, but now I know our destiny as a family is well-defined. Thank you very much and may God bless the Equity Group Foundation and their partners.

29

Transforming Africa

Testimonials from Teachers and School Leaders Mr. Paul A Otula, HSC, OGW, Chief Principal of Maseno SchoolI am proud to announce that all 23 beneficiaries of the Wings to Fly Scholarship programme currently attending Maseno School have scored an A or A- on their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. In addition to their outstanding academic performance, our Wings to Fly scholars have excelled as school leaders; in fact, two of the beneficiariesJacob Arara Owuor and Eshiwani Benjamin Angobe are the current school captain and vice-captain. These students come from very challenging financial backgrounds, and through the Wings to Fly programme have already begun to live in a brighter future. I am humbled and inspired by the possibilities and opportunities resulting from the Wings to Fly programme

Mrs. Gladys Olang, Teacher in charge of Sponsorship Department at Alliance High SchoolAs the teacher responsible for all students who are sponsored, I can say that the Wings to Fly programme enables students from disadvantaged backgrounds to arrive at Alliance High School with the confidence and resources they need to compete with some of the best students in the country, who often come from very different economic backgrounds than Wings to Fly scholars. As a result, Wings to Fly consistently excel academically; in fact, last year, out of the 22 students 18 received an A and A- and 4 received a B and B+.Wings to Fly scholars also come to school ready to exercise their leadership. As they join Form 1, some of the scholars are appointed as monitors. They then join various committees in the school and are given leadership positions. Many of them rise to become senior prefects. The scholars are confident and take part in school activities, including competitive foreign exchange programmes, which two Wings to Fly scholars have won in 2014: Yusuf Kasidi represented the school in the exchange programme in Kings College Budo (UGANDA) while Byron Onduru went to Brooks school (USA) aided by the Wings to Fly programme. As a teacher, I am grateful to the Wings to Fly programme for giving these bright minds a chance to develop themselves through a secondary school education.

30

Transforming Africa

Mrs. J Akatsa, HSC, Principal of Precious Blood Secondary School, RirutaOver the last 6 years, we have had 16 students benefiting from the 4 year secondary school scholarship by Equity Group Foundation and The MasterCard Foundation under the Wings to Fly programme. I have watched these young and gifted girls blossom from shy uncertainty to confident assuredness. This has been as a result of the strong mentorship and exposure by the foundation in leadership, positive values and academics. They have been given wonderful opportunities to discover and develop themselves. The experiences they have gained in the training, sharing and mentoring by local and international speakers has unleashed great potential in them and they can never be the same again. You have indeed given them Wings to Fly and for this God will always bless you.

Mrs. Rosemary Saina, Principal, Kenya High SchoolAt The Kenya High school, for example, 60 students out of a Form 1 class of 280 come from family backgrounds which cannot provide for their education. Needless to say, students admitted to the school are above average academic achievers. To ensure that these students remain in school, the Board of Governors (BOG) invests a lot of time and focus on sourcing for funding to support the financing of education for these students. With 55 students under the comprehensive Wings to Fly sponsorship package, an enormous headache has been removed from the school management. In addition, the Wings to Fly programme has also removed the stress that a student undergoes when faced with unpaid fees. There is the anxiety that the student may be sent home any time which seriously affects the concentration levels of the student. The student also suffers from low self esteem. We applaud Equity Bank, Equity Group Foundation and their Partners for this great intervention and appreciate that more partners have joined in to ensure that children from disadvantaged family backgrounds have equal opportunities to access secondary school education in schools of their choice and qualification.

31

Transforming Africa

President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulates Elijah for earning a full scholarship to Amherst College, the Presidents alma mater.

Elijah KoomeUniversity: Amherst College

High School: Meru School

Year Joined: 2010

Attending an elite college in the United States was not something Elijah imagined as a young boy. He grew up in a remote area at the heart of Meru County in Eastern Kenya and has gone through insurmountable challenges to be the first in his family to get a university education. After joining the Wings to Fly programme and scoring a straight A in the KCSE

examination and becoming the top boy in Meru County, Elijah joined ELPs College Counseling Programme and gained a full scholarship to Amherst College in the United States. He plans to study Economics and Computer Science. He hopes to use the knowledge he gains to contribute to Kenya and Africas economic growth and technological advancement and be able to see Africa rise beyond its challenges in his lifetime.

Scholar Profiles: 2010 Wings to Fly Scholars Transition into Equity Leaders Programme (ELP)

32

Transforming Africa

Selina AluluUniversity: Arizona State University

High School: Buru Buru Girls High School

Year Joined: 2010

Selina is a total orphan and has been living with her elder sister who runs a small business. After the release of the KCPE results, her dreams of attending a school of her choice quickly turned into worry about school fees. She is grateful to her primary school head teacher who assisted her

in applying for the Wings to Fly scholarship. Four years later, Selina scored an A- on the KCSE examination. She joined ELPs College Counseling programme earning a MasterCard Foundation Scholarship to attend Arizona State University. She plans on studying Business Information Technology. Upon graduating, she hopes to help young entrepreneurs leverage technology to grow their businesses.

Antony MuchinaUniversity: University of Toronto

High School: Maseno School

Year Joined: 2010

After losing his mother, Antony went to live with his grandmother in rural Gatundu. As a result of his high KCPE examination score, Antony became the very first student to win the Wings to Fly scholarship in Gatundu. He joined Maseno School, which is among the top high schools in Kenya. While he

was a Form 4 student, Antony developed a bio-digester that would convert kitchen refuse and human waste to biogas to be used as fuel in the kitchen. His innovation was voted the most viable idea by the Rockefeller Foundation out of over four thousand presentations in his final year in high school.

He scored an A Grade in his KCSE examination. He joined ELP and participated in the College Counseling Programme. 33

Transforming Africa

He was awarded a MasterCard Foundation Scholarship and will be pursuing Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto. He hopes to use his education to launch ICT projects in Kenyas rural primary and secondary schools in order to expose students to technology and digital learning resources. He looks forward to interacting and learning from a diverse international community during his stay in Canada.

Geoffrey OkochilUniversity: University of PretoriaHigh School: Nakuru High SchoolYear Joined: 2010

Geoffrey lost his parents as a young boy. His young siblings were adopted by relatives, but he remained with his grandmother. As

the eldest in the family, he was forced to drop out of school to look for a job in order to help support his grandmother and siblings. Luckily one of his teachers provided assistance, which enabled him to re-enroll in primary school. Joining the Wings to Fly programme

Geoffrey, excelled at Nakuru High School. During high school, Geoffrey championed a number of initiatives in order to support his fellow students facing financial challenges. He scored an A on the KCSE examination and qualified for ELP. Through the College Counseling programme, Geoffrey earned a MasterCard Foundation Scholarship to the University of Pretoria, where he plans on pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering.

34

Transforming Africa

Maranda with a grade of A and thereafter joined Equity Bank Mbita Branch as a part of ELP, enabling him to earn enough money to save and pursue university education in Kenya. Additionally, he has been able to use his allowance to improve the lives of his family members, including buying three goats for the household, medicine for his epileptic brother, and paying school fees for his sister in primary school.

Eldaa Nafula OjiamboHome: NduguMnani Village, Malindi County

Primary School: St. Andrews Primary School

High School: Maryhill Girls High School

Year Joined: 2011

Eldaa is the first born in a family of five. Her parents work hard to provide for the family, despite the constant financial and medical challenges they faced. After completing primary school, Eldaa was left unsure about her future.

Phelix OketchHome: Gwassi, Suba District, Migori County

Primary School: Our Lady of Orore Primary School

High School: Maranda High School

Year Joined: 2011

Phelix was born in a small village in Gwassi Constituency, Suba, and grew up in a single-parent home, his father having passed on when he was still very young. Phelix walked several kilometers to get to primary school each day and was the first in his family to sit for the KCPE examination.

After finishing primary school, however, he faced an uncertain future, as his brother was struggling with epilepsy and required urgent medical attention, leaving his unemployed mother without any money to pay for his secondary school fees. Phelix joined the Wings to Fly programme in 2011 and was admitted to Maranda High School, one of the top national schools in the country. In 2014 he graduated from

Scholar Profiles: 2011 Wings to Fly Scholars Transition into Equity Leaders Programme (ELP)

35

Transforming Africa

Her family had barely been able to afford to put her through primary education, leaving secondary education out of the question. Fortunately, Eldaa joined the Wings to Fly programme in 2011 and was able to attend Maryhill Girls just outside of Nairobi. Four years later, Eldaa achieved an A- on the KCSE examination and looks forward to joining the University of Nairobi to pursue Actuarial Science. Eldaa also joined ELP, where she is interning at Equity Bank Malindi Branch and using her earnings to help her siblings to continue their education and to support her mother who suffers from cancer. When she looks back, she says she always remembers Dr. James Mwangis words that my future does not have to be a continuation of the past and that society always gives way to the best.

Veso Hamis OjiamboHome: Mtongwe, Mombasa County

Primary School: Kenya Navy Primary School

High School: Shimo La Tewa High School

Year Joined: 2011

Veso comes from a single parent family of four children, living with his mother who performs casual jobs to

earn a living. Throughout his primary education, Veso was determined to stay in school despite financial constraints and a low level of appreciation for education in his community. The negative peer pressure and an environment rife with drug abuse were constant challenges he had to face, but

he was able to excel in his primary school examinations and get a scholarship through the Wings to Fly programme. He was admitted to Shimo La Tewa High School in Mombasa County. Veso was inspired to succeed by the Annual Leadership Congresses, which were a huge boost for him, always motivating him to go back to school and work even harder than before. Through his superior work ethic, he was able to get a straight A grade in his KCSE examination. This remarkable performance has since allowed him to join ELP, where he is currently interning for Equity Bank Mombasa Digo Branch. In the future, Veso wants to dedicate himself to making his community more aware of the consequences of drug abuse in order to improve his community.

36

Transforming Africauniversity to pursue her dream of studying Software or Electrical Engineering. Mary wants to go back to her community in order to open her own company and sponsor needy children to go to school just like the way Equity Group Foundation helped her.

Mary ChaoHome: Burastation,TaitaTaveta.

Primary School: Vumari Primary School

Marks: 396

High School: Nakuru Girls Secondary School

Year Joined: 2011

Before being award the Wings to Fly scholarship, Mary knew she was going to end as a house help despite her exceptional KCPE score of 396 marks because no one could afford to take her to secondary school. Her parents separated when she was younger and she went to live with her father but

when he remarried she went to live with her aunt, a peasant farmer. At the aunts home oftentimes there was no paraffin for the lamp, so she was unable to study properly. But this did not stop her from working hard at Nakuru Girls High School and attain a mean grade A on the KCSE exam, ranking among the top 1% students in Kenya and earning a place in ELP. Currently, she is doing her internship at Equity Bank Taita Taveta as she prepares to go to 37

Transforming Africa

Looking AheadEarly 2015 marked the successful conclusion of the Wings to Fly programmes first phase. EGF joins with Equity Bank, The MasterCard Foundation, and other generous supporters in being thrilled that, together, we met and exceeded our target and were able to educate and cultivate the leadership capacities of 10,377 promising, young scholars. This represents a more than two-fold increase in impact compared to our initial commitment of 5,000 scholarships.With only 77% of the Kenyan youth attending secondary school currently, we are committed to continuing and intensifying our efforts to provide access to education for more young people. With the support of The MasterCard Foundation, EGF will be embarking on a second phase of the Wings to Fly programme in 2016.In addition to expanding our scholarship programme, Wings to Fly is working with the Kenyan Government to catalyse broader change across the education sector. Through our Wings to Fly Learning initiative and via our broad commitment to education innovation, we hope to use mobile and other technologies to avail high-quality education and learning tools to more learners.As Equity Bank expands to new markets throughout East Africa and beyond, EGF also looks forward to exploring opportunities to adapt the Wings to Fly model in other countries that face similar challenges in affording access to secondary schooling to their best and brightest young people. In this way, EGF will seek to further broaden its impact, en route to our larger goal of impacting the lives of 100 million Africans by 2024.

38

Transforming Africa

From Secondary School to Higher Education: Equity Leaders Programme (ELP)Mentoring a New Generation of LeadersWhen the first class of Wings to Fly scholars sat for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in 2013, they knew that another coveted and highly competitive sponsorship, the Equity Leaders Programme (ELP), awaited those who would qualify. Scholars in this programme interact with the Wings to Fly scholars and mentor them on academic excellence. Every year during the Annual Education and Leadership Congress, the scholars meet and network, share experiences and mentor the younger ones on continued academic excellence. The programme gives the Wings to Fly scholars inspiration to continue focusing on academic excellence.EGFs ELP works to equip academically gifted secondary school graduates from across Kenya with the professional and leadership skills they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. It also cultivates a community of ethical leaders, who work together across disciplines and sectors to transform the lives of their families, communities, country and the world at large. Since 1998, Equity Bank has been sponsoring bright Kenyan students to local universities to study various courses. The programme benefits the top boy and top girl in KCSE in each district in the country where Equity Bank has a branch. That changed in 2014, when the first group of Wings to Fly scholars were admitted into the programme, with an initial intake of 115. The second intake in 2015 was even larger with 340 scholars qualifying for the programme.

History of the ProgrammeIn 1998, Samuel Kirubi, a student at Egerton University studying Economics and Statistics, applied for an internship at Equity Bank. At that time, the bank was already thinking about how they could recruit future professional

39

Transforming Africa

leaders. Although the intent was there, the structures and the procedure were not in place. Nonetheless, the bank took him in and he became the first student beneficiary of Equity Banks leadership programme.

I was very keen to work in a financial institution upon graduating, so I wanted to hone my skills even before I left the university, Kirubi says. Kirubi is today the Managing Director of Equity Banks Rwanda subsidiary.Between 2001 and 2002, the bank started a deliberate effort of identifying students who were top in their districts in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations and offered them pre-university internships. Twelve students were enrolled in 2001 and 20 in the subsequent year. The programme continued to expand in size as more branches opened in different districts in the country. In 2006, a larger group of 30 students joined the programme.EGF under which the programme is now run was founded in 2008 and the leadership and mentorship development model was refined in 2009. The key challenge had been how to handle the scholars so that in addition to the internship, the mentorship and leadership components were incorporated in a structured way.By far, the largest number of beneficiaries are admitted to local public universities. EGF Chairman Dr James Mwangi agrees that the biggest and most impactful change to Kenya will be made by the beneficiaries who go to local universities.Together with the scholars studying abroad, they create a unique and diverse community of leaders with varying experiences and exposure. It is this uniqueness of the programme that will enable our scholars to impact all sectors of the economy, he says. The local students are given a stipend that caters for their tuition and living expenses for the period they are in the university. The students who get scholarships to go abroad get initial living cost payment since their fees and stipends are already covered by the sponsoring universities. While on holiday, many of them prefer to continue their internship at Equity Bank.Today, the programme has grown from its initial single scholar in 1998 to a class of over 600 scholars in 2015 interning at over 170 Equity Bank branches across all 47 counties in Kenya. The college counseling programme, too, has expanded from its initial cohort of 6 scholars going to international universities in 2010, to over 60 admissions in 2015. Over this time, the internship model has also developed into a fully-fledged leadership development programme covering four thematic areas of scholar growth.

40

Transforming Africa

Our Leadership Development ModelELP is centered on a rigorous internship that allows scholars to work at Equity Bank branches around the country before they join university. The internships gives scholars real world professional experience and includes a college savings scheme, which allows scholars to use their internship stipends to fund their university education in Kenya. In addition to the pre-university internship experience, ELP provides internships and leadership development experiences to scholars throughout their time in university and beyond. The ELP leadership development model seeks to develop scholars across four programme areas:

1. Personal and Professional Development to enable scholars to identify their unique talents and strengths and to match their individual interests with meaningful career opportunities. This includes both experiential and taught learning opportunities, such as internships, professional development seminars and workshops, and an Annual Leadership Congress to inspire and motivate scholars to excel in their chosen field. The aim of this pillar is to prepare scholars to set ambitious goals for their future and to provide them with the 21st century skills they may not learn in the classroom that will be required to succeed in the workplace.

2. Global Exposure to encourage scholars to expand their horizons and become world class-leaders who can compete and succeed in a global marketplace. This includes initiatives such as the college counseling programme, which supports scholars to earn scholarships to some of the worlds best universities, as well as scholar development awards for scholars attending local universities to attend conferences, classes, or trainings in global destinations. The aim of this pillar is to allow scholars to think globally and look at the best practices in their field through an international lens, an increasing necessity in todays global marketplace.

3. Creativity and Innovation to empower scholars to think creatively about providing solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing communities around the world. This includes an ELP Journals online platform for scholars to share their creative writings and artwork, as well as an innovators programme that awards seed funding to promising scholar business plans. The aim of this pillar is for scholars to think outside the box in coming up with the innovations that will transform their communities and Africa as a whole.

41

Transforming Africa

4. Community Engagement to inspire scholars to use their abilities for good and to make a positive impact on society. This includes a Centres of Excellence programme which provides residential mentorship in three high schools across Kenya, as well as a Wings to Fly mentorship programme which allows ELP scholars to mentor beneficiaries of the Wings to Fly programme. The aim of this pillar is to develop ethical, values-based leaders who are deeply concerned about the needs of society.

While developing individual scholars across these four thematic areas, the programme also endeavors to create a strong network of scholars who work together across disciplines and sectors to transform their communities, their country, and the world at large.

Major InitiativesOur leadership development model is delivered through some of the following major initiatives:

Internship Programme which allows scholars at local universities to return for internships with Equity Group and its partners during university long holidays to get professional experience while contributing to a College Savings Scheme to fund their university education

Global Summer Internship Programme which allows scholars studying at international universities to return to Africa for their summer holidays and intern with Equity Group and its partners, giving them work experience and building their professional networks in Africa.

College Counseling Programme which supports Equity scholars to access admission and scholarships to some of the worlds leading universities, including the Ivy League schools in the US.

Annual Leadership Congress which allows scholars to connect with each other to form a strong community, learn about leadership and employability skills, and interact with successful leaders from various industries.

Innovators Programme which trains and develops scholars in innovation and entrepreneurship skills, allowing them to write business plans and pitch their ideas for seed funding.

Centers of Excellence Programme where scholars provide residential mentorship to students at three high schools around Kenya: Kwale Girls, Nyawara Girls, and Nyagatugu Boys

42

Transforming Africa

ELP Journals platform which encourages scholars to express themselves through writing and digital media, allowing them to share their poems, short stories, political commentary, photographs, and more with fellow scholars.

University Chapters at campuses in Kenya and abroad that serve as platforms for interaction, networking, and activities for the scholars during their university session.

Wings to Fly Mentorship Programme which enables ELP scholars to visit Wings to Fly high school scholarship recipients at their high schools to provide mentorship and academic coaching.

Our ScholarsScholars are currently pursuing university degrees in a range of fields, including:

32% Engineering and Computer Science 25% Medicine and Dentistry 23% Business & Economics 8% Actuarial Science 12% Other (Law, Humanities, Arts, etc.)

Scholars in local universities attend top public universities, with 44% at the University of Nairobi, 16% at Kenyatta University, 15% at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, 10% at Moi University, and about 5% each at the Technical University of Kenya, Egerton University, and Maseno University. Scholar in global universities attend some of the best private and public institutions, with the most scholars attending or having graduated from: Harvard University (19), Yale University (15), the University of Toronto, the University of Pretoria (14), the University of Pennsylvania (12), Ashesi University College (11), and Duke University (10).

43

Transforming Africa

Our scholars have also launched into leadership positions in various sectors, including:

Dr. John Muthee, Founder and Managing Director of Savannah Informatics. Diana Mongare, first runner up for the Anzisha Prize for youth entrepreneurship. Elsardt Kigen, winner of the National Heritage Art Competition and Art Director for Ibuka. Angeline Omwamba, Secretary General for the Students Union of Egerton University (SUEU). Samuel Kirubi, Managing Director of Equity Banks Rwanda subsidiary.

Our Impact 2,673 ELP Scholars have benefitted from the programme since 1998. 99% of ELP Scholars transition from high school to university, enabled by the internship programme

and college savings scheme. More than 1,000 internships provided across Equity Group annually, making ELP the largest corporate

internship programme in Africa. 263 scholars admitted to top global universities, receiving more than $45 million in scholarships from

universities including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Amherst, and others. Over KSh. 1.5 million awarded in seed funding to the top scholar business pitches at the annual Equity

Innovators Awards. Over 600 ELP Scholars currently in university serve as mentors to Wings to Fly scholars each term

at their respective high schools.

44

Transforming Africa

effort, hard work, and self-initiative led him to become the top male student in his district in the 2012 KCSE examination, allowing him to join ELP. Bernard now holds several leadership roles at ELP and on campus. He is the representative of Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science in Jomo Kenyatta University Students Association. He is also the chairperson of the Bachelor of Actuarial Science Committee, a student body that helps students access information about the course and corporate requirements of actuaries, since information available in the university about the course is limited. Bernard is also an active member of the Debating Society of JKUAT and was a semi-finalist in the Amnesty International Human Rights competition held in 2014. He is also a member of Rotaract Club in JKUAT, a subsidiary club of Rotary Club of Thika. The club is currently involved in building bodaboda sheds for motorists. Bernard also has a great passion for peer counseling, entrepreneurship and community service.

Bernard Wesonga Home: MnasiMoja, Nambale, Busia County

Primary School: St. Marys Primary, Changamwe

High School: Shimo La Tewa School

University: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyCourse: Actuarial Science

Year Joined: 2013

Bernards parents separated when he was very young, and he was raised by his grandmother for three years before his father, an electrician with a corrugated iron sheets company in Mombasa, remarried and took him in. Although reunited

with his father and new family, life for Bernard did not turn out as pleasantly as he had hoped. Realizing that education was the key to the independence he longed for, he worked hard at St. Marys Primary School in Mombasas poorest slum, Bangladesh, and later in high school at Shimo La Tewa School. Bernards

Scholar Profiles: Equity Leaders Programme (ELP)

45

Transforming Africapursuing a Dental Surgery degree at the University of Nairobi, where she is already demonstrating leadership as the class representative of the Dental Surgery class of 2017, and editor general of Scope, a university publication out of the department of Dental Surgery. In this role, she has led the editorial team of her magazine to organize free medical camps in Kibera slum and Machakos and Starehe Girls High School. Eufrasia is also an active member of the ELP Honor Council, a committee of Equity Scholars established to set high standards for professionalism, integrity and leadership among the ELP scholars. The ELP Honor Council is also responsible for vetting top performing scholars for Scholar Excellence Awards offered by EGF.

Geoffrey William Ochieng Home: Nyangubo, Migori County

Primary School: Migori Primary SchoolHigh School: Migori Secondary SchoolUniversity: Moi University

Course: Environmental Health

Year Joined: 2013

Eufrasia Mero Home: Kiamweri, Meru County

Primary School: Irimbeni Public Primary

High School: St. Marys Girls High School, Igoji

University: University of Nairobi

Course: Dental Surgery

Year Joined: 2012

Eufrasia is the eldest of five children born to unemployed parents in Kiamweri village, Meru County. Growing up, she knew the only secure source of income for her family was the two-acre plot of land on which they grew tea, and did her best to help till the crop as often

as she could during the school holidays. But when she was in high school, a visit by an EGF mentor introduced her to ELP, and she promised to work hard and gain entry into the competitive programme, even though at the time she was not the best performing girl in her school. But once she set her mind to it, she was undeterred. She earned an A on the KCSE examination and joined ELP in 2012. She is currently 46

Transforming AfricaEunice WambuiWanjiruHome: Gacatha, Tetu Constituency, Nyeri County

Primary School: Ihururo Academy, Nyeri County

High School: Karoti Girls High School, Kirinyaga South, top in DistrictUniversity: University of Nairobi

Course: Economics &Statistics

Year Joined: 2010

Even before being selected to join ELP in 2010, Eunice was full of youthful ambition to go to college, get a good degree, a good job, and lead a financially stable life. To achieve this dream, she had been working towards securing an internship with Equity Bank

at the prompting of her supportive father, a retired accountant for a small cooperative society in her rural home, and had in fact dropped an application at Karatina Branch even before her results were out. She knew her dream was to be an excellent economist and hoped to use her experience at Equity Bank as a launching pad toward that dream.

Before joining ELP, Geoffrey admits that he was not so ambitious and only had modest dreams: finishing his undergraduate education and securing a job opportunity in his line of study. After enrolling in ELP and interacting with his peers and other leaders, he began to dream bigger about what his future could be. He now plans to contribute to the growth of the health sector and improve health institutions in Kenya by creating an organization that will take healthcare to the underprivileged. Although he has a speech disorder, it has not deterred his confidence to speak on behalf of his peers. At the Department of Environmental Health at Moi University, Geoffrey is a long-standing class representative, a role he has held since he joined university. He is also a member of the Environmental Health Students of Moi University Association, where he has helped organize several community projects such as cleaning-up of Eldoret town, conducting local health awareness campaigns and distributing sanitary towels in Gishu County. One of his community service activities was a campaign on HIV/AIDS and cancer awareness in rural UasinGishu County where he led a team of his peers for the charity event.

47

Transforming Africa

Her wish was realized when her KCSE results came out, but now she has bigger dreams: she does not simply want get a get a job, she wants to create jobs. She wants to make a meaningful contribution to Kenyas economic growth. Asked how she plans to do so, she remarks, In order to do his, I want to start my own investment firm, explore Kenyas investment opportunities and market them to investors, both local and foreign.Demonstrating her leadership, Eunice is the founder and administrator of the Smart Investors Facebook group which offers information on financial instruments and how to trade in them. This is a project that Eunice started after receiving mentorship with investment analysts during her internship at the bank. Eunice is currently in her final year of University, and is enrolled on Chartered Financial Analyst professional test (CFA). She plans to be Charter holder in 3 years and join an investment firm dealing with portfolio and asset management after graduation.

48

ELP Scholars celebrate their admission to elite global universities

Transforming Africa

50

Transforming Africa

STATEMENT FROM PARTNERS

51

Transforming Africa

Reeta Roy, President and CEOThe MasterCard Foundation

52

Transforming Africa

Statement from Reeta Roy, President and CEO The MasterCard FoundationSince its inception in 2010, the Wings to Fly programme has transformed the lives of more than 10,000 young people by providing vital support for their secondary education. More than access to tuition for secondary school, the programme also provides mentorship, counseling and social support to ensure young people are given all the tools they need to succeed. The MasterCard Foundations commitment to date of $40.9 million to Wings to Fly reflects our deep belief in the three principles that guide the programme.1. Equality of Opportunity. Through the programme, the brightest minds in Kenya have an opportunity to

develop and contribute to the country and the continent. The programme provides boys and girls with equal opportunity to learn half of the Wings to Fly intake from each district are girls and half are boys.

2. Achievement. Wings to Fly Scholars demonstrate academic achievement, but also their courage and resilience to overcome barriers. The programme enables them to achieve in the classroom and in their communities. More than 90 per cent of the first two graduating classes have qualified for university and many have had the opportunity to gain practical work experience at Equity Bank.

3. Giving Back. Most importantly, the Wings to Fly programme encourages responsible citizenship and giving back. Many Scholars are leading student projects and volunteering time in their communities.

We are very proud of what Wings to Fly has accomplished to date and thank Equity Bank, Equity Group Foundation, USAID, UK-AID and KfW for their ongoing partnership and support. All of us continue to be inspired from the performance and progress of Wings to Fly Scholars. The Government of Kenya, which has been an instrumental partner since the beginning of Wings to Fly, recently committed to making secondary education free in the coming years. This amazing commitment will give Kenyas young people the tools they need to lead their country into the future.

53

Transforming Africa

Statement from Karen Freeman, Mission Director, USAIDThe United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is committed to helping Kenya end extreme poverty and to develop a resilient, prosperous, democratic society.Education is a key ingredient in the fight against poverty and a catalyst for rapid economic development. USAID entered the Wings to Fly public-private partnership with Equity Group Foundation (EGF) and its partners to give academically gifted but economically disadvantaged and vulnerable children from across the country access to quality education. This important scholarship programme provides leadership development, career guidance, and personal mentoring to young people. It equips students to take on leadership roles in their communities and their country.The U.S. and Kenyan governments are committed to alleviating poverty, joining business strategy with compassion. The Wings To Fly programme also represents a growing trend of private-sector leadership development. As the U.S.-Kenya partnership grows and matures, we look forward to supporting an increasing number of such development.

54

Transforming Africa

Statement from Department For International Development (DFID)DFIDs mission is to assist partner governments to reduce poverty, and education is fundamental to everything we do. Education is the key to beating poverty and the greatest investment we can make for global prosperity and the future of our world. It transforms countries and societies; an extra year of quality schooling lifts a countrys annual economic growth by 1%. Educated children are able to take better care of their families and find greater employment opportunities in adulthood.DFIDs focus on educating girls is informed by the fact that girls education generates extremely large benefits. Girls who have completed secondary education are three times more likely to get a job than those who have only completed primary school; educated mothers have fewer children, who are healthier, better fed and more likely to survive the first few years of life. Over the past 5 years in Kenya, DFID has invested around Ksh 1 billion per year in trying to get more children into school (and keep them there), and to improve the quality of the education they receive. We remain committed to education in Kenya and will continue to look at how we can support initiatives that improve education for the countrys poorest children. We are delighted to support the Wings To Fly scholarship programme as it will help its beneficiaries to make better lives for themselves, their families and lead them to play a positive role in society. We hope that they will act as role models for their previous schools, showing other students that there are opportunities at the end of primary school despite their poor backgrounds. We hope that the students will succeed in their secondary school studies, transition to become the future leaders in Kenya, and help to take forward the countrys agenda for peace and prosperity.

55

Transforming Africa

Statement from KfW Entwicklungsbank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Education is essential for every countrys social and economic development. More education for children and young people means more opportunities for a better life. A key element of German Development Cooperation (GDC) is thus to improve the quality of education and widen the access to it, especially for disadvantaged groups.Since 2004, GDC through KfW supports the Kenyan Education Sector Support Programme (KESSP) as a key to poverty reduction and finances the construction, expansion and rehabilitation of primary and secondary schools in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Nakuru. Our aim is to provide a child-friendly environment conducive to learning and to actively encourage school community participation. However, there is a significant number of excellent primary school graduates who do not start secondary school for lack of financial resources. The Wings to Fly programme provides tuition fees and related school supplies, enabling high-achieving yet needy students to continue schooling beyond primary school. We particularly welcome the complementary leadership and social transformation sessions that support the developing of the next generation of leaders. We are convinced that these students will diversify the leadership structure and make a difference in Kenyas future. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW gladly contributes to this promising programme by funding education for almost 1,000 girls and boys from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru counties.

56

Transforming Africa

ABOUTTHE PARTNERS

57

Transforming Africa

Equity Group Foundation (EGF)Established in 2008, EGF acts as the institutional home for the Equity Bank Groups social initiatives and interventions. Since its inception, EGF has significantly enhanced the coordination of CSR interventions for Equity Bank Group. EGFs aim is to catalyze the socio-economic prosperity of the people of Africa by giving opportunity to the millions at the bottom of the pyramid to be incorporated into the modern economy. Having demonstrated scalability, impact and high return on investment, EGF started forging partnerships with development organizations who wish to give back to society without duplicating effort and/or investing in infrastructure. This innovative and creative vehicle has fundamentally transformed the concept of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. While EGF champions the social economic transformation of the people of Africa and seeks partnerships along seven thematic areas, (Education & Leadership Development, Financial Inclusion & Literacy, Environment, Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Health), Equity Bank provides the infrastructure of delivery hence reducing the operational costs for EGF and increasing the rate of return on any social investment.

The MasterCard FoundationThe MasterCard Foundation is an independent, global organization based in Toronto, Canada, with more than $6 billion in assets. Through collaboration with partner organizations in 49 countries, mostly in Africa, it is creating opportunities for all people to learn and prosper. The Foundations programmes advance microfinance as well as youth education and employment. Established in 2006 through the generosity of MasterCard Worldwide when it became a public company, the Foundation is separate and independent from the company.Its policies, operations, and funding decisions are determined by its own Foundation Board of Directors and President and CEO.

USAIDUSAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. USAID supports international development and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives 58

Transforming Africa

by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade, global health, democracy and conflict mitigation and management, and humanitarian assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Eurasia. USAID/Kenya, through funding from the PEPFAR expects to fund the cost of scholarships, leadership training and mentorship of at least 2,166 OVC scholars between 2011-2016, of which 488 are remaining beneficiaries of the USAID/Kenya Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) project and 2,678 will be new Wings To Fly scholars. In addition, USAID Kenya expects to help fund the personnel and administrative costs of managing the project.

DfIDThe Department for International Development (DfID) leads Britains fight against global poverty, delivering UK aid around the world. DfID has partnered with Equity Group Foundation to support a class of 600 students with direct financial support for tuition fees, as well as other necessary items (e.g., uniform, books, and boarding fees, etc.) under the Wings To Fly programme. Specifically, the scholarships will be given to 400 girls and 200 boys. DfIDs focus is on the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and urban slum counties and thus Equity Group Foundation will reach out towards these areas given Equity Banks extensive branch network.

KfWKfW is one of the worlds leading and most experienced promotional banks. Established in 1948 as a public law institution, KfW is owned 80 per cent by the Federal Republic of Germany and 20 per cent by the federal states (Lnder). KfW Development Bank is Germanys leading development bank and an integral part of KfW. It carries out Germanys Financial Cooperation (FC) with developing countries on behalf of the German Federal Government. The 600 personnel at headquarters and about 200 specialists in its 66 local offices cooperate with partners all over the world. Its goal is to combat poverty, secure the peace, protect the environment and the climate and make globalisation fair. KfW is a competent and strategic advisor on current development issues. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development KfW is currently sponsoring 349 Wings to Fly scholars of the 2013 intake and 609 Wings to Fly scholars of the 2015 intake, drawn from the urban poor communities in Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru counties. 59

Equity Group FoundationEquity Center 8th Floor, Hospital Road, Upper Hill

P.O. Box 13241-00200, Nairobi, KenyaTel: +254 763 063000

Email: info@equitygroupfoundation.comwwww.equitygroupfoundation.com