Sammy is a prospective student applying for a loan to start work on a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications at Strathmore University and this is his story:

My name is Sammy. I am from Nairobi, Kenya. I was born second in a family of four siblings including two brothers and two sisters: an elder sister named Berryl; a younger sister called Tinna, currently in her third form in secondary school; and Gabriel, the last born of the family, who is a standard 8 candidate at primary school.

I chose Strathmore University because I believe that it is the institution that will offer me the best opportunity for quality education. I draw inspiration from my elder sister, who is an alumnus of the University; her colleagues who went to Strathmore with her, and my former classmates who are currently studying at Strathmore. They motivated me to seek admission to Strathmore University, and I am so grateful to God that I was granted entrance and will therefore commence my first year of study on June 25, 2012.

I am taking out this Kiva loan to fund my degree course through University. This is because my family is currently unable to pool enough resources to see me through my degree. Even though Strathmore University seems an expensive option given my family’s financial status, I do believe that education is a worthy and noble investment in one’s future, and not just an expense as some may perceive.

My father, the family’s sole breadwinner, was rendered jobless along with thousands of others when his factory was shut down three years ago and placed under receivership. He now tries his hand at farming. He has established a small tree seedling nursery. He uses the returns to look after the family’s welfare and contribute to my siblings' school fees. My mother, who has been a hairdresser for almost 15 years now, uses her meager earnings to feed the family. My elder sister Berryl, who is currently juggling school and work, is the one who helped my parents put me through secondary school. She is also financing my younger siblings’ education and paying her own fees for a degree course. Her finances are stretched far too thin to pay for my university fees. This has left me with a Kiva loan as my only option of getting a chance to study at university.

At Strathmore, I wish to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, which will enable me to achieve my dream career in the field of Information Technology. This is something that has kept me motivated and inspired me to put in the effort needed to excel in my secondary school education. I want to pursue a leading career in the ICT sector after I graduate from my course, and I hope to make a positive contribution to the development of Kenya. It is through ICT that Kenya can follow the path toward attaining its visions and goals. I also hope that I will be able to further my education and attain a Master's in the same field. I hope to also assist my younger siblings (and anybody else I can) to get the best education so that they may also have a successful and bright future. Furthermore, I am so grateful to the Kiva program as it seeks to help put needy students through school, ultimately leading the way toward raising a nation with fulfilled dreams – a nation which is successful, grateful, charitable and unified.