Bright but financially disadvantaged children from rural families in Gitugi, Mathioya, are set to benefit from increased community support, following an initiative by local professionals to raise funds for their education.
The Gitugi Development Initiative (GDI) is rallying residents, professionals and other stakeholders to support academically gifted learners whose families cannot afford school fees, in a bid to ensure poverty, does not derail their educational ambitions.

The initiative brought together community members during a walking challenge held on Saturday, to mobilize resources and strengthen local participation in supporting needy students.

GDI founder, Judy Kiunga, said the initiative was established 13 years ago, to give bright children from humble backgrounds an opportunity to complete their education, noting that some learners perform exceptionally, well but are unable to progress due to financial challenges at home.

Kiungu stated that the initiative has so far sponsored more than 300 learners in various levels of education, including universities, colleges and senior schools.

She challenged professionals from Gitugi and the wider Mathioya community to give back by supporting children from their rural homes, saying collective responsibility could transform the lives of deserving learners.
Kiunga also expressed concern over alcohol abuse, which she linked to family conflicts and challenges affecting children’s education, calling for stronger interventions to address the problem.

GDI Chairperson, Prof. Benson Mwangi, said the initiative seeks to address the financial barriers that prevent some students from completing secondary education or joining universities despite their good academic performance.
He noted that some families struggle to meet secondary school fees, while others cannot afford the high cost of university education, leaving talented learners without opportunities to advance their studies.

Mwangi appealed to the government to review university tuition costs, to make higher education accessible to students from low-income households.

Gitugi Mwmber of the County Assembly (MCA), Edwin Wairagu, pledged to champion educational opportunities for deserving learners, describing education as a powerful tool for transforming lives and communities.

“Education is key; it is everything we need. Were it not for education, I would not be where I am today,” he said.
A parent, Beth Maina, said the rising cost of living had made it increasingly difficult for rural households to meet school expenses, urging more organizations and well-wishers to support families struggling to educate their children.

In a boost to the initiative, Zalika Africa Foundation contributed Sh. 80,000 towards the GDI education fundraising drive and announced 10 scholarship opportunities for young people seeking practical skills training.

The scholarships, comprising five full and five partial opportunities, will be offered through Zalika Africa Institute in Westlands, Nairobi, for courses in caregiving and nursing assistance.

The Foundation’s Director, Njeri Kinoti, who was represented by Wanjiku Jane, said the opportunities were part of the Organization’s commitment to youth empowerment, skills development and community transformation.

She said the training equips young people with skills to care for vulnerable groups, including children, older persons, persons with disabilities and patients recovering from illnesses.

The Foundation also acknowledged the local administration for supporting the identification of two students to benefit from the scholarship programme and encouraged other interested applicants to use the contacts displayed on the GDI notice board.

The partnership adds to GDI’s efforts to mobilize community resources and ensure that financial hardships, does not deny bright children from rural households the opportunity to fully achieve their academic potential.

By Bernard Munyao and Ann Kendi