The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation on 11th December officially launched the INUKA Plus program, an expansion of its flagship educational sponsorship program – INUKA – aimed at empowering students with disabilities.
INUKA Plus program will extend support beyond secondary school education, offering university, college and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships to the top-performing students from the secondary school program.
The INUKA Plus scholarship package include tuition fees, accommodation, meals and assistive devices for the course duration. All students will benefit from annual mentorship, for support in life skills, career and personal development as well as internship program within KPC and get professional exposure and work experience. Upon successful completion of studies the scholars will have opportunities to participate in the competitive recruitment process for employment in KPC and KPC Foundation.
Speaking during the event, KPC Managing Director and KPC Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr Joe Sang, articulated the vision behind the INUKA Scholarship: “We recognized the hurdles scholars face in transitioning through the education system and our program was designed to break down the barriers of low household income, social stigma and lack of assistive devices. The INUKA Plus was established to extend support to INUKA beneficiaries beyond secondary school, covering their university/TVET education.”
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He said KPC Foundation will invest Ksh41 million annually for the INUKA Plus program and a cumulative Ksh160 million for the four years of study. ‘‘This addition is crucial, as it fulfils the Inuka program’s transformation pillar, allowing students to pursue higher education and enter the workforce with greater qualifications and confidence,’’ added Mr Sang.
During the launch, 25 scholarships were awarded to the first cohort of INUKA Plus beneficiaries, who are now set to embark on their higher education journey. Since its inception in 2017, the INUKA program has provided educational opportunities for talented but underprivileged students with disabilities from all 47 counties in Kenya.
A total of 745 scholars have been sponsored to date at a cumulative cost of sh120 million. The program is envisioned to be a catalyst for long-term transformation, empowering scholars to overcome challenges and become role models who break stereotypes surrounding disabilities.
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