Dr. Helen Gichohi, the CEO of Equity Group Foundation
Wings to Fly scholars
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am thrilled to have this opportunity to talk to you this morning. The part of my job that I enjoy the most is meeting with young people like you, who early in life have demonstrated strength and perserverance in achieving your goals. I hope my words can inspire you as much as you inspire me.

We at the U.S. Agency for International Development and our partners here today are investing in your education because we know that you have the capability to succeed in shaping your future and that of your families and the larger community.

The scholarship that you received is an investment. You were awarded this scholarship because you are the best in the country, and we look forward to seeing you succeed and to the contributions you make to society.

Indeed, investing in youth is the most critical contribution that donors and business leaders can make to support Kenya’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country and improve the quality of life for all of Kenya’s citizens.

One of our goals at USAID is to promote resilient, democratic societies that reach their full potential. And we can’t do that without investing in youth.

Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, once said, “No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth, severs its lifeline.”

You are Kenya’s lifeline. You will be the generation that transforms your communities and, as each community is transformed, so is the world transformed.

In the long term, we hope you will be encouraged to consider how your contributions will shape your communities and the world at large. And how you will work, hand in hand, with your fellow citizens to reach goals that no one person alone can achieve.

A good example of how to bring people together to realize a common goal is the leadership of Dr. James Mwangi, the CEO of Equity Bank. He initiated the Wings to Fly Program to help young people like you become economically and socially independent. He worked tirelessly approaching various donors, like USAID, to pool resources together to support your education.

He demonstrated that it was possible to have a vision, and to bring together people and organizations, each with their own goals and cultures, and achieve a common good – providing young people in Kenya a chance to succeed.

Before I conclude I would like to note the outstanding performance of a few Wings to Fly beneficiaries who sat for their form four exam last year.

Esekon Abrahm Lokapitei, a student at Lodwar High School, got an A-minus and has been admitted to Jomo Kenyatta University to pursue a degree in Public Health.

Athanasius Pkemoi Parpona from Kapenguria, who was studying at Chewoyet High School, got an A and has been admitted to Moi University to pursue a degree in Medicine.

And Brenda Anyango from Siaya, who was studying at Asumbi Girls High school, got an A-minus and has been admitted to University of Nairobi to pursue a degree in Economics and Statistics.

All the three examples show that, as Wings to Fly scholars, the future is yours. You can excel in school and join a university to pursue a career of your choice. We look forward to hearing about your achievements.

Finally, I want to thank the various partners who have led the way, together with USAID, to support the education and leadership development of these young scholars. To Equity Bank, MasterCard, UKAID, and KfW, I say thank you very much.

I am proud that the American people can contribute to this great partnership that is transforming lives in Kenya.

Thank you!