How Melvin Wafula puts her business education to work in telecom and financial services

Melvin Wafula, on the left, with Mwrembo and her younger brother Steward, on the family “shamba” or farm. Typical rural Kenyan housing is in the background – wood frame buildings, with walls made of a mixture of cow manure and soil, and a metal roof.

At age 12 when in primary school, my mother passed away. I was partially orphaned. I have worked hard since then. I received a scholarship with CES when I joined secondary school, and CES has been paying my school fees since then. For four years in secondary school I worked hard and managed to pass with high grades.

I then received a CES scholarship to university, with CES paying my fees and upkeep money. All I had to worry about was my assignments and getting good grades. So for much of my life, CES has been supporting me financially, morally and spiritually. In 2019, I received by Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from Moi University.

During my studies, I took the CES Leadership Program developed by CESCED Principal Madam Patricia Makori. This helped me get an executive position as Secretary of the CES Alumni Group, which is made up of people who received scholarship support from CES. We received help in getting ahead academically, so we come together to give back to society.

During my university years, I participated in what Kenyans call a merry-go-round – a group of trusted friends get together and pool some money each month, with one member able to spend what we all contribute that month. When my turn came, I was able to buy a cow for my family, so that they would have a source of milk. We call her “Mwrembo,” which means “Beautiful Girl” in the Luhya language.

Since graduation, I’ve been working on my future. I did some work in online sales, and then was fortunate to get my first employment. I’m now a sales executive with Airtel Africa, a telecommunications and finance company based in India, with operations all over eastern and central Africa. When I applied for the job, the first requirement of the company was a degree certificate. So if it had not been for CES, I would not have been eligible for this career opportunity.

I’m now building my career, based in Kitale, a city in western Kenya. When I started with the company, I was given a rural sales territory that required a lot of travel on difficult roads. Since then, I’ve been promoted to a better sales territory in Kitale itself.

CES has walked this journey with me, and I appreciate what the organization has done for my family and for me.

Inspired by this story and wish to help?

To help another young person in Kenya get a good start in life, consider sponsoring a student. $300 ($25/month) will support one student for an entire year. This pays for school fees, a school uniform, healthcare when needed and a hot meal and nutrition tea breaks each day on campus.