DAYSTAR U.S. SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS

BEVERLY - MASS COMMUNICATION 

I am the firstborn in our family of four children. We grew up in the Kibera slums since childhood. In Kibera the rent was eight hundred Kenyan shillings ($8 US) per month but it still was a problem to raise the amount as a family. After finishing my elementary education, I was not able to join high school immediately due to unavailability of finances; I missed school for one full year. We often would go without food. When I joined Daystar in 2009, I knew it would be another tough season; I was in and out of class, unable to always pay tuition. This is my sixth year since I joined and I am just a sophomore. I personally came to know the Lord in March 2009. It is indeed my aunt who led me to the Lord and with the favor that He had given me I just had to surrender all to Him.

I chose Mass Communication as my course of study because it was what I desired since in my high school days where I was the school’s news reader. When I finished my secondary education, still with the passion for media, I remembered that Daystar is the best in regards to media. I took a step of faith and went to inquire more, and that is how it all began for me. I have been involved with the missions team, and am part of the evangelism team. The verse that has kept me going is Jeremiah 29:11.

JACOB - MASTER'S IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

I was born in the northern part of Meru County in Kenya. I am the last born in a family of seventeen. My father is now deceased; both my parents were small scale farmers. My mother has health challenges and is not able to farm now. I am married to a loving wife, Sally, and we are blessed with a son Lemuel, who is two and a half years old. Last year both Sally and Lemuel had surgeries which strained us greatly, but I thank God they are well now. 

As a child I loved singing in the children’s group at church, but as I grew older I started drifting away from church and God and I became involved in drugs. Later I started selling drugs too and soon my life was out of my control and I was lost. One day, as I was visiting my sister in Nairobi, I walked past a church and felt the Spirit of the Lord loudly telling me to go in. I obeyed that voice and the preacher called me up front for prayer. This was my turning point. My life was never the same since Jesus came into my life.

I am now studying for a master’s degree in counseling psychology and my thesis is “The Use of Community as Therapy for Intervention of Students with Alcohol and Drug Abuse.” My sole purpose in life is to motivate and empower young people to tap the potential of their God-given talents.

CHARITY - COMMUNICATION

I am the first born of three children, living in Machakos County, Kenya. My parents are both pastors and it has been difficult for them to afford my school fees. They do not have a steady income and depend on the ministry for income. Nevertheless, God has truly been faithful in delivering my family from many difficult financial situations.

Being raised in a Christian home, I gave my life to Christ when I was in primary school, but salvation became personal for me when I was in high school. This is when I truly submitted my life to Jesus and accepted Him as my personal Savior. 

I am pursuing a degree in communication electronic media and a minor in music.  I plan to use my knowledge in music to improve worship, how it is led, and how it is perceived in churches and in Kenya. I would love to eventually return to Daystar as a music lecturer. I hope to give back to my family financially by helping pay for my younger brothers’ school fees. I would like to join organizations that could help improve my village’s living standards, and God willing, support the needy in my society.