As it celebrates its one-year anniversary, the Finlays Community Trust is delighted to have awarded scholarships to 30 students through Masters Scholarship and the Undergraduate Degree Scholarship programmes.
Launched in 2021, the Finlays Community Trust aims to empower communities and nurture sustainable growth in Kericho and Bomet Counties. To achieve this, the Trust is guided by its mission to create sustainable, long-term impact by supporting a variety of projects and initiatives across the strategic pillars of education, infrastructure, health and disaster relief.
Speaking during the one-year anniversary celebration, the Trust’s chairperson, Bishop Alfred Rotich said: “Over the past year, we have worked side-by-side with the community to identify investments that would create an enduring impact for them. For instance, under our education pillar, we have invested Ksh 10.7 million in the Graduate Scholarship Programme; providing inclusive opportunities to students to undertake their studies at a university of their choice in the UK. Further, we have invested over Ksh 45 million to educate 56 undergraduate students and Ksh 4 million in secondary school scholarships”.
The Scholarship, which is administered by the Trust, was inspired by the need to provide beneficiaries with unique technical and soft skills, allowing them to compete at both the local and global labour markets. Exposing the students to different cultures, expands their personal and professional networks which are key to the development of their communities. To achieve this, two students are admitted every year to universities of their choice in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Undergraduate Scholarship, which is funded by the Finlays Community Trust, was given to 28 beneficiaries, 22 of whom are from 11 constituencies in the two counties, and six of whom are dependents of Finlays employees.
Bishop Rotich also outlined other investments made under the education pillar with the launch of the mentorship programme this year. “Under this programme, we are reaching out to students so that they are inspired and are able to grow wholesomely thereby giving them the necessary life skills to navigate life after school and succeed in their careers.”
Under the infrastructure pillar, the Trust has been engaged in developing amenities that will complement the government agenda, especially regarding the transition of students under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). Since 2010, the trust has invested over Ksh 2242 million in school, public health, energy and water infrastructure projects to support socio economic development in Bomet and Kericho Counties.
Commending the milestones achieved by the Trust, Simeon Hutchinson, James Finlay Kenya Limited Managing Director and Patron of the Trust said, “We are extremely proud of the milestones achieved by the Trust in its first year. Investment in young people through scholarships and infrastructural projects is key in setting up young people for success. Their strategy of partnering with different stakeholders in the community is important in ensuring that the projects invested in are those most relevant to the community.”
He continued, “I’m also proud of the effort towards bringing awareness on climate mitigation. The Trust has partnered with St. Mary’s in conjunction with the County Government of Bomet’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Association of the Religious Sisterhood of Kenya to plant 500 indigenous trees.”
About the Finlays Community Trust
The Finlays Community Trust is an independent charity that empowers communities and nurtures sustainable growth in Kericho and Bomet Counties. Funded by James Finlay Kenya, The Trust aims to deliver maximum social, environmental, and economic benefits by taking a collaborative approach and appointing trustees who represent local communities, thus creating shared value. By partnering with the community, we ensure The Trust invests in and supports the projects and initiatives that have the most meaningful and enduring impact.
For more information visit finlayscommunitytrust.co.ke
