Kuumba University Scholarships
In its first year, 11 graduating female students applied through a workshop hosted in partnership with African Leadership University.
Qualifying applicants are invited to attend a leadership workshop which takes place typically in February after the KCSC secondary school certificates are awarded by the Kenyan Ministry of Education. In its first year, 11 graduating female students applied through a workshop hosted in partnership with African Leadership University.
The holistic evaluation processes include:
Engagement in secondary school is preferred through a journalism club or other school extracurricular activities.
Results from the National Exams (our applicants score a C- or better).
The written application including personal statement and community engagement.
A workshop where our applicants have the chance to show of their leadership and problem-solving skills.
Consideration for need and personal circumstances. Home visits are encouraged.
Round Robin interviews with title sponsors, Kuumba founders, industry leaders, and educators for all finalists.
The consensus of secondary school educators, workshop organizers, and Kuumba founders and or sponsors.
Scholarship recipients may receive the prestigious scholarship to African Leadership University in Kigali, Rwanda, or they may receive a scholarship for tertiary studies in an area of their passion. Other finalists may receive a technology grant or other support.
In its inaugural year, the Kuumba Scholarship granted one St. Martin’s School graduate, Modester Mwangi, the opportunity to spend 3 years at African Leadership University’s Rwanda Campus. Modester, who grew up in the Kibagare settlement in a family of 15, was selected based on her demonstrated leadership potential, academic rigor, and community involvement. Abigale Sifa, an impactful, deserving recipient won a Kuumba Scholarship to the University of Nairobi to pursue her passion in the arts, and was sponsored by Rebeca Ruiz Interiors, from Madrid, Spain.
In the spring of 2019, Kuumba was happy to announce Faith Ndung'u as the winner of the second annual Kuumba ALU scholarship, and that she would be joining the incoming Fall (now postponed until January 2020) class at ALU Rwanda. Faith is sponsored by SmartCompass London, in a collaboration that began years prior, with SmartCompass head, Esther Garcia Martin’s, longtime liaison with the Journalism Club at St. Martins Secondary School, as well as an active sponsor.
Thanks to our sponsors, two other spectacular students were awarded scholarships. Linda Nzembi Mutunga, passionate about pursuing a degree in medicine, was awarded a scholarship to attend Kenya Medical Training College. John Kihara, a brilliant student who has been in the Friends of St Martins sponsorship program for many years, was awarded a scholarship to study information systems at Jomo Kenyatta University.
The future of our economy and global stability lies in how we cultivate and develop the young people in Africa today. By 2045, more than half the global population will live in Africa and currently, most of them live on less than $2 dollars a day. We believe that we have a responsibility as well as a superb opportunity to develop the next leaders of this great continent.
Miguel Milano, ex-President - International at Salesforce, now Chief Revenue Officer at Celonis and Kuumba's first title sponsor.