NAIROBI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Tony Ndivo's tiny frame has not deterred the 12-year-old son of a fruit vendor from soldiering on in his academic journey with full knowledge that dividends were beckoning in the horizon.
Born and raised in a farming village located about 60 kilometers south east of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Ndivo was exposed to penury at a tender age but never gave up on his quest to succeed in school.
The student was among top performers in last year's primary school final examinations and managed to secure a slot at a national high school near his ancestral home.
Ndivo's impressive score and humble background caught the attention of the operator of Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which had pledged to bankroll his secondary school education.
It feels great to be among the beneficiaries of the scholarship from the operator, Ndivo told Xinhua during the award ceremony for the scholarship for bright but needy Kenyan high school students held on April 27.
"I promise to work hard and realize my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon," he said.
He was the youngest among the three beneficiaries of the inaugural scholarship from the Chinese operator of the SGR that aims to help Kenyan youth pursue high school education amid financial constraints at home.
Li Jiuping, general manager of the Chinese company operating the SGR, said the company is committed to helping Kenyan youth with a passion to excel in school despite their financial conditions.
"The excellent academic performance of Ndivo and his two colleagues was brought to our attention and we are confident of their potential and bright future amid difficulties," said Li.
"We decided to do whatever we could to sustain their study and hope our assistance will help them realize their dreams and life's goals," he added.
The company has set aside 1.2 million shillings (about 12,000 U.S. dollars) to cater for the tuition fees, textbooks, uniforms and personal care for Ndivo and his two colleagues throughout their four year's secondary education.
Li said the scholarship is in line with the company's corporate social responsibility that emphasizes on timely response to the needs of local communities.
Ndivo's ancestral home is located along the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR corridor where the operator has supported projects to lift the living standards of vulnerable groups like youth, women and children.
Catherine Mbithe, a 15-year-old daughter of a single parent and small-scale farmer, was elated after learning that she was among scholarship beneficiaries, having demonstrated remarkable dedication to her studies despite financial hardships in her family.
This kind gesture by the company will pave way for eventual realization of her dream of becoming a mechanical engineer, said Mbithe.
She was among top performers in last year's final primary school examinations and is already enrolled at a local high school where her amiable personality, hard work and drive has won her accolades from tutors.
Josephine Kitili, Mbithe's biological mother, said she was confident her daughter will become an accomplished engineer thanks to financial support from the company.
"I have so much faith in my daughter who has never lost hope despite financial stress in my family that at some point disrupted her studies," said Kitili.
Leon Wasike, a 14-year-old high school student who is being raised by a guardian, is determined to become a civil engineer now that tuition fees and other incidentals will not be an issue for the next four years.
He scored 412 out of 500 marks at last year's Kenya Certificate for Primary Education and is currently enrolled at a public secondary school in western Kenya.
Juliana Wafula, who is Wasike's guardian, said the teenage boy, who is well adjusted, has passion for studies and community service, is the pride and hope of the larger clan.
"It is very uplifting to witness my son receive a scholarship covering his entire high school education and I promise to offer him moral support as he embarks on a journey to success," said Wafula.
