By Mansi Kotak | Project Leader
Warm greetings from rainy Kisumu!
As we cross the halfway mark of the year, we’re pausing to reflect on the incredible start our Scholars made in Term 1 and to thank you for your part in it.
This update comes a little later than planned, but it’s full of stories worth waiting for. Thanks to your generosity, we welcomed a new cohort of 18 exceptional students into the RKF Scholars community earlier this year, bringing our total number of active scholars to 38. These bright young minds come from families doing their best with limited means, and through your support, they now have a chance to learn, grow, and lead, without the heavy weight of financial uncertainty.
Orientation, Mentorship & Community
The year began with a joyful orientation in February for our new scholars. They met one another, engaged in team activities like painting and human bingo, and learned more about RKF’s values from returning scholars and guest speakers. It was a day full of laughter, guidance, and warmth, a reminder that the RKF scholarship is more than just financial aid. It’s a community of care and belonging.
Two scholars from last year’s cohort shared their experiences, offering peer mentorship that set the tone for a supportive year ahead. As one shared, “I had lost hope in History, but this term I improved.” — Stacy, 2025 Cohort. Moments like this capture the heart of what we’re building: confidence, resilience, and the courage to keep going.
April Workshop: A Space for Every Voice
In April, we brought together all 38 Scholars for a four-day workshop centered around the theme of Inclusivity, a word that came to life not just in discussion but in every shared moment, from kitchen stations to trust walks.
The week opened with icebreakers and a check-in on the term gone by. Students explored prioritisation and time management using the Eisenhower Matrix, and bravely shared wins and struggles. “This term was enjoyable because I participated in school debates and I even topped my class in English,” shared Alpha (2024 cohort).
From there, Scholars dove into the much-loved Cook-Out Challenge, judged on inclusivity, teamwork, and creativity. Chapati flipping and potato peeling sparked competition, laughter and leadership in equal measure. Later that day, Scholars teamed up to create stories inspired by RKF’s core values of Compassion, Community, and Change, infusing them with an emoji twist for a fun-filled afternoon of heartwarming storytelling.
The next day, our focus shifted inward with a Trauma Counselling session, led by therapist Jacinta. Using gentle practices like the “Name Web,” stress release tools, and balloon affirmations, students were guided to acknowledge their emotions and reconnect with their sense of safety and self. Our scholar, Mary, later said, “I’m definitely teaching these to my friends back at school.”
That afternoon, our focus was devoted to career inspiration. A diverse panel of speakers, a doctor, artist, radio presenter, and humanitarian shared honest stories of how their paths evolved. Scholars were struck by their openness. Some speakers even offered to sponsor books and event access for the Scholars—a gesture that deeply moved the room.
Day 3 brought pure joy with colour-coded team shirts and a lively sports day. From sack races to three-legged showdowns, trust was built not just in the field but in small gestures of encouragement. The day ended with pizza and laughter followed by a movie screening of Inside Out, a first for many.
We closed the workshop with Parents’ Day, where families joined us for heartfelt conversations about performance, accountability, and support. Parents shared pledges to engage more, and Scholars reflected with pride on their growth. One even stood up to speak on behalf of a quieter peer, earning applause and showing just how far they'd come in four days.
Plans are underway for our August workshop, where Scholars have requested even more diverse speakers and new storytelling activities.
Every Child Deserves a Champion
Behind every smile in this report is a donor like you who said yes to a child’s future.
Your support ensures that children from underserved communities don’t just stay in school; they belong, grow, and thrive. Whether it’s a warm plate of food, a school term paid in full, or a moment of mentorship, your impact ripples far beyond the classroom.
Thank you for walking beside us.
We’ll be back soon with more stories of transformation from Term 2. Until then, know that your support changes lives: one scholar, one dream, one breakthrough at a time.
With your continued support, we can provide school meals, targeted academic support, and empowering workshops that help Scholars thrive both in and beyond the classroom. Every contribution keeps this journey going.
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