How Scholarships Change Lives

Scholarships have an extraordinary impact on the lives of JAMS students.

• In Kenya, even public high schools charge fees and room and board, preventing many youth from completing high school.
• Most families in Kenya work very hard, but their farms and small businesses don’t provide enough income to send children to high school. When there is some money, usually sons rather than daughters are sent.
• As a residential school, JAMS provides nutritious meals and a safe living environment for its students. Just walking to school can be dangerous for girls in many places.
• Every year of school achieved increases the health and prosperity of a girl’s family, her future children, and her community as well as herself.

When you give a scholarship, you can be confident that it provides everything possible to keep your student in school and enable her to succeed.

In keeping with the JAMS holistic educational philosophy, Friends of JAMS scholarship students receive full tuition and fees, room and board, clothing and shoes, toiletries and menstrual supplies, school supplies, books, and routine medical care.

JAMS scholarship students go on to vocational colleges, universities, and/or to start their own businesses. For example, one scholarship alumna started a baking business and within four years saved enough to pay her own way to college. Another alum finished her four-year degree and now teaches science at the high school level. Another has completed a computer science degree and visits schools throughout her home district to encourage girls to go into STEM fields.

Three Typical JAMS Scholarship Students

Without JAMS scholarships, these girls would not have attended high school, would not be safe and healthy, and would not be prepared to change their futures. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the students.

Mercy Achieng grew up in extreme poverty and poor health. Noticing that Mercy was exceptionally bright and loved school, her elementary teachers provided love along with food and healthcare. After Mercy finished 8th grade, a teacher helped her submit a JAMS scholarship application. Mercy consistently ranked in the top 2% of JAMS students. She graduated from university and now runs her own data analysis business.

Judy Adhiambo is an orphan who was shunted among family members. Primary school teachers helped to address Judy’s basic needs. Her stepbrother asked a local headmaster to help apply for a JAMS scholarship for Judy, who had nearly given up hope of attending high school. She worked hard and graduated at the top of her JAMS class. Judy now studies economics at a prestigious university.

Grace Akoth completed her first year at JAMS, supported by her parents’ small business. However, their business went under, and money for JAMS fees was gone. Her mother explained their plight to the JAMS principal, who arranged a scholarship by consulting with Friends of JAMS. An average student academically, after graduating from JAMS, Grace attended a vocational college and now works in healthcare.

You can learn more about the backgrounds of many JAMS students in “From Home to JAMS.”