A total of 750 top secondary school
graduates have been selected to join the prestigious Equity Leaders Program
(ELP).
The Equity Group Foundation made the
selection.
These top-performing students who are
joining the Pre- pre-university paid Internship program within the ELP will embark
on a six-month internship at Equity Bank branches nationwide as they prepare
for their university journey later this year.
The cohort consists of 350 Wings
to Fly Scholars and Elimu Scholars who achieved Grade A and A-, 167
top-performing students from each sub-county who scored Grade A (Plain), and
233 top national scholars who earned a minimum of Grade A (Plain) with 84
points in their final exams.
While addressing the scholars at the
commissioning ceremony, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman, Dr. James
Mwangi, said:
"You are here today because you have demonstrated
consistent excellence and determination in your academic journey, and we are proud
to have you join us as part of this transformative experience.”
Mwangi said the program is not just
about providing you with valuable work experience but also about nurturing their
leadership skills, empowering them to become change-makers in your communities
and beyond.
He said the program will equip them
with the tools to succeed in both their university studies and in their
professional future.
“You represent the future of Africa,
and we, at Equity, are excited to walk with you as you take your next steps.
This is just the beginning of your journey to greatness. We believe in you, and
we are here to support you every step of the wa,” he said.
The commissioning ceremony was held after a two-week intensive induction program which included interactions with leaders from various industries, including Equity Group’s leadership team.
Scholars engaged in discussions on
leadership, personal growth, and community development, ensuring a holistic
approach to their learning experience.
These insights will help position
them for success in their academic and future careers.
During their two-week induction, Equity
Bank Kenya Managing Director Moses Nyabanda emphasized the importance of trust,
honesty, and integrity in leadership.
"As future leaders, it is crucial that
you are known for your principles," he said.
"At Equity, we believe in values such as
professionalism, integrity, creativity, innovation, teamwork, and a shared
purpose. Above all, we emphasize respect and dignity for our customers, as well
as strong corporate governance. We challenge each of you to embody these
values, not only in your work but also in your everyday life as you step into
roles that will shape the future."
As part of the program, the interns
will receive a monthly stipend during their six-month internship, with a
portion of the stipend saved and released to them upon their transition to
university to instil a saving culture early.
This initiative helps facilitate a smooth
academic transition, providing financial support for their higher education.
The scholars receive mentorship and
coaching from globally experienced and accomplished professionals with diverse
skills to deepen their knowledge before they settle on what careers to pursue
and what to study.
Dieume Baraka, a former student of
Starehe Boys Centre who achieved an A (Plain) in the 2024 KCSE and is also an
alumnus of the Elimu Scholarship Program, shared his journey.
“Coming from a background marked by
unimaginable hardship, I have always believed that education is the key to a
brighter future. Despite the many challenges I faced, whether it was living in
refugee camps, enduring displacement, or struggling with the basic needs for my
education, I remained focused on my dream of bringing change to my community.”
She went on:
Being selected for the Equity Leaders Program
is a tremendous opportunity, and I am excited to be part of a program that will
not only provide me with valuable skills but also equip me with the leadership
tools I need to create a more peaceful and united world. I hope to study a course
at university, to better understand and contribute to the healing of my
community and beyond."
Salmo Abdullahi Hassan, a former
student of Parklands Arya Girls Secondary School who achieved an A- (Minus) in
the 2024 KCSE, highlighted:
“This is a great opportunity that Equity has
provided us through the Equity Leaders Program, and I am truly grateful for the
chance to be part of it. The two weeks of leadership mentorship have been
incredible, particularly the interactions with the Bank’s leadership and the
insightful mentors.”
She added:
“I’m really looking forward to the
six-month internship, where I hope to learn more from experienced colleagues,
grow as an individual, and expand my worldview as I prepare to join the university. I am excited for the future and ready to use the lessons learned
here to make a positive impact.”
Elema Badaqe Duba, a former student
of Makueni Boys High School who achieved an A- (Minus) in the 2024 KCSE and is
also an alumnus of the Wings to Fly program, stated:
“Growing up in Marsabit as the firstborn in a
family of seven, I faced immense challenges, including sleeping outside due to
the high temperatures and walking long distances to school. Despite these
hardships, I remained determined to excel academically. What inspired me to
work hard is my deep desire to provide for my family and lift them out of
poverty.
“Being selected for the Equity
Leaders Program is a dream come true, and I am eager to use this opportunity to
gain the skills and leadership experience that will help me achieve my goal of
transforming my family’s life and contributing to my community’s development.”
Since its inception, the ELP program has
grown significantly supporting 29,515 scholars studying at local and global
universities.
With the addition of the new cohort
of 750 scholars, the total number of scholars who have benefited from the
Equity Leadership Program's 6-month pre-university internship program now
stands at 9,700.
During the internship, the ELP
scholars are nurtured to succeed and thrive in the workplace through mentorship,
leadership, life skills, and work readiness training.
They also have an opportunity to join
Equity’s bespoke College Counselling program that has to date supported 970
scholars to attend global universities on fully funded scholarships across 233
universities in 37 countries and 6 continents, with 204 having attended Ivy
League universities.
The global scholars benefit from a
comprehensive two-month College Counselling program where they receive expert
guidance on essay writing, university selection, and exam preparation.
Additionally, a week-long boot camp equips them with the necessary skills to navigate the transition to university
life and thrive as global scholars.
