Shofco issues scholarship cheques, food donations

Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco) Founder and CEO Kennedy Odede on Wednesday issued scholarship cheques and distributed food worth Sh2 million in Kiambu County.

Speaking in Githurai where he met 2000 Shofco Urban Network (SUN) members, Odede said he was committed to supporting students from needy backgrounds to continue with their education.

“I have come here with early Christmas. Each of you will go home with a Christmas gift and I also know students will go back to school next month.

“I have brought scholarship bursary cheques to support students from this place and I look forward to seeing you again next year,” he said.

Odede said beginning 2023, his organization will roll out women and youth empowerment programs targeting those at the bottom of the economic pyramid in Kiambu County.

“We are going to train youth on different skills depending on what they want. After the training, they will choose to seek employment or start their own businesses.

“This will reduce the crime rate and keep our youth engaged. I also know that people in this area are entrepreneurs. We are going to bring our Sacco program so that people can save and borrow money,” he stated.

Githurai Assistant County Commissioner Florence Kioi, who graced the meeting, thanked Shofco for investing in young people and supporting the community economically and socially.

“Shofco has brought people together here. The turn up in this meeting is amazing. We have never seen a crowd like this even when we call community barazas. This means Shofco is doing great work.

“Thank you Dr Odede. You have organized communities here and as a government, we are thankful and ready to work with you. Thank you for also opening the Shofco office here in Githurai,” Kioi said.

Veronicah Wanjiku, whose child benefitted from the scholarship cheques, thanked Dr Odede for coming through for her.

“I am grateful because Shofco has paid school fees for my child. I now don’t have to stress about next year’s school fees for my child. May God bless Shofco and our leader Odede,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Mugo Laban Wangare, said he has twins in Form 2 and he is grateful that Shofco has paid school fees for one of them.

“Dr. Odede has held my hand because he has supported one of my children. I am really thankful because at least my burden has been eased,” he said.

Odede has, this year, sponsored over 2000 students in more than 10 counties across Kenya

. These include students in Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisii, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisumu, Kakamega, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Kiambu, Nakuru, and Uasin Gishu counties.

Odede founded Shofco in Kibera in 2004 and it has now spread across Kenya serving over three million people directly annually.