By Gerald Mukembu
Meru Woman Rep Karambu Kailemia
Meru Women Representative Elizabeth Kailemia has said her projects of empowering students from humble backgrounds by sponsoring their education is meant to give hope to many children from poor families.
Kailemia said she always had a passion for educating children noting that she would not like to see any child at home due to lack of school fees.
The lawmaker said she started the program even before she became a legislator.
She spoke at her office during the fourth mentoring where she celebrated form four leavers sponsored by Kailemia foundation and NGAAF.
“I had a passion for educating children. I would not like to see any child at home due to lack of school fees. That is why I started Kailemia Foundation to sponsor students in primary and secondary schools,” she said.
She said she mostly sponsors secondary school students but are forced to chip in on needy cases in primary schools.
“There was one who was selling fruits in Maua town where i had to take her to a boarding school because he was an orphan,” said Kailemia.
She said she concentrates more on students from Meru noting currently they have 600 scholarships from form one to form four while others are in universities and technical schools.
The legislator said the 31 students that had benefited from the program will be advised on how to choose their careers.
“They need to be guided on how to choose their careers and also fill in their KUPPS. I urge them to avoid peer pressure and perform well,” she said.
She said she decided to take the 31 to university and technical schools to ensure that they fully benefited.
“Even if it is looking for jobs for them, I am willing to help them to ensure they have fully benefited from me because I am also a parent,” she said.
Mercy Gatwiri, a guidance and counselling teacher at Kirigara girls said they were guiding students on skilled courses that they can undertake.
She said the graduates don’t need to be employed after the courses because they can be self employed by starting their own businesses.
Mwakazi Murithi a student from Burieruri High school said the mentorship will help him to focus on his education.
