The programme's second edition took place on Friday, 6 January, at Watu’s offices in Nairobi.
The event brought together 35 exceptional students and their families from the community.
As the world commemorates International Day of Education later this month, Watu Credit has committed to investing in future leaders by launching a scholarship programme, making secondary schooling accessible to more Kenyans.
The programme's second edition took place on Friday, 6 January, at Watu’s offices in Nairobi.
The event brought together 35 exceptional students and their families from the community.
Watu contacted its good-paying clients and selected children with a score of at least 300 in the latest KCPE examinations in December 2022.
The students are picked from every region across Kenya.
All the children participated in an essay writing competition describing how receiving a scholarship would support their dreams and future career aspirations.
A group of panelists then heard presentations from the students and chose the final recipients for the scholarships.
This initiative will cover tuition fees and other related expenses for four years of secondary education.
Watu believes in empowering others and investing in the future.
The Watu Scholarship Programme will empower hundreds of young people and families for the next few years.
Watu Credit Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andris Kaneps said education helps young people secure their future and contribute to their communities and societies.
“Kenya and the boda boda community have allowed us to build Watu. As a company and family, I believe it is our responsibility to give back. We are here to help make opportunities accessible, far-reaching and inclusive,” Kaneps said.
Watu Credit Country Manager Andrii Volokha on his part said the organization is committed to sponsoring students from needy families because it is the best way to change the communities they work in.
.“There is no other way to change the future generation of these communities apart from supporting the education of needy but bright students. We launched this programme last year and we are happy about its progress so far,” he said.
At the same time, Viktoriia Volokha, Head of Investigations and Compliance at Watu, said the students under the programme have been able to acquire quality education because their needs have been taken care of.
“We are happy to support our clients in a meaningful way. This is by sponsoring their children’s education. A good quality secondary school education for that matter.
“Our selection process is simple, because we identify bright but needy students who have to show enthusiasm in education so that they can change their communities in future,” she said.
The organization started the programme in Mombasa last year where another cohort of students who are set to join Form Two this year benefitted.
“I am grateful to Watu for sponsoring my child who is currently set to join Form Two. I did not have money to take her to high school despite scoring 360 marks but Watu came through for me.“I need not to worry now because my child will study up to Form Four without needing my support,” Salama Sulubu, whose child benefitted from Watu Scholarship Programme last year, said.
Watu is an Asset FinTech revolutionising financial inclusion across Africa.
The company is building an ecosystem for unbanked and underserved individuals by providing access to tools that enhance digital literacy, economic growth, quality of life and opportunity.
So far, Watu has provided over 600,000 loans across seven countries and has positively impacted the lives of more than 3.6 million people.
In addition, Watu actively promotes financial literacy and independence, the adoption of digital payments and increased regulatory and safety compliances.