James Finlay Kenya is delighted to announce the 2021 recipients of the Swire Masters Scholarship Award.
The Scholarship is given annually to two students, one from Kericho County and one from Bomet County, where James Finlay Kenya operates. The programme is administered by the Finlays Community Trust, a organisation that seeks to empower local communities and nurture sustainable growth in Kericho and Bomet Counties.
Launched in 2012, the Scholarship programme aims to empowering and equip students from Kericho and Bomet with learning experiences and skills for the future. Run by the Finlays Community Trust and funded by Swire, the Scholarship covers tuition fees, return air ticket and a stipend to cover accommodation and basic living costs for the term of the course.
Meet this year’s Scholars
The first of this year’s Scholars is Emmanuel Kiplangat Koech from Kericho who has secured a place to study a Masters in Advanced Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Leicester in the UK. Emmanuel has also been a beneficiary of Finlays’ Undergraduate Programme.
He says: “I sincerely thank Finlays for the golden opportunity to pursue my MSc. in Advanced Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Leicester. Without Finlays, this wouldn’t have come true.”
The second Scholar is Ms. Joylyn Cherotich from Bomet County who will be studying for an MSc. in Civil Engineering at the University of Plymouth, also in the UK.
She says: “It has been my dream since I was in primary school to do a project in design of structures. During my second year at the university, I got an opportunity to attend an exchange program at the University of Plymouth UK during which my dream of working on the design of structures especially bridges, became even more pronounced. I am so grateful for this scholarship.”
A Proud Tradition
In total, 19 students have now benefited from the Scholarship with total funding of US$735k. Upon completing their studies, many return to the area and some have even taken on jobs at James Finlay Kenya.
One such person is Erick Keter who now works as a Factory Assistant Manager at James Finlay Kericho.
He says: “I work for a company that helps people realise their dreams in many ways. Emerging the top student in my class earnt me a scholarship from Finlays for my undergraduate degree and I was again awarded a Swire scholarship for my Masters degree in Food Science at the University of Leeds. I was recruited by Finlays in 2015 and posted as an Estate Assistant to the same estate where my Dad worked – an incredible coincidence!”
Explaining the rationale behind the Scholarship programme, Sammy Kirui, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at James Finlay Kenya says: “It’s a fantastic way to support the education goals of young people living in Kericho and Bomet, and this is one of the core tenets of our approach to sustainability. Congratulations to Emmanuel and Joylyn for their fantastic achievement!”
He continues: “It’s also a fantastic way to bring new skills and experience into the local area as the Scholars receive a world class education, many of whom return to work at James Finlay Kenya and in the community.”
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.
