Hilde Back Education Fund

A Kenyan Charity Educating Bright Children from Poor Families

Eligibility for assistance from HBEF

While the Hilde Back Education Fund hopes to be in a position to assist needy children nationally, the limited resources at its disposal have restricted the group’s initial interventions to pupils and students from schools within Githunguri Division and its environs. Here, the group has provided a number of modest scholarships to exceptionally needy cases. The eligibility criteria require the following:

* Exceptional academic performance: The applicant must provide documentary proof that he or she has been an outstanding pupil and that he or she is among the top three pupils in the class. Secondary school applicants must have scored a minimum of 380 marks out of 500 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).

* Dire financial need: The applicant must demonstrate that his or her family is unable to provide the funds needed to continue with school.

* Availability of funds: Scholarship grants are subject to availability of funds.

Documents required in the scholarship application:

A standard HBEF scholarship application form, duly completed and signed by parent/guardian, school-teacher and where possible local community leader familiar with the applicant’s situation

- A copy of school-leaving certificate if available

- End-of-term academic report forms

- A certified copy of KCPE or equivalent result slip

- Typed or handwritten cover letter from applicant or guardian explaining the applicant’s circumstances

HBEF funds come from voluntary contributions from board members, educated members of the community as well as from sympathetic individuals and institutions locally and abroad. It is expected that once the Fund beneficiaries have successfully completed school and secured jobs, they will give back to their communities in the same way they received, and this way contribute to community self-reliance and advancement.

Upon receipt of the application, HBEF acknowledges the application and, based on the number of applications, determines the date for the selections. If during the selection process the Advisory Board finds it necessary to get more background information regarding an applicant, it then sends a social worker to the community whose findings will enable the Board to make a decision regarding the application under review. All funds released by the group are usually sent by cheque to the applicant’s school and relevant receipts obtained.