By Dickson Mwiti
Times U Sacco Society Limited has stepped up its commitment to education by launching a Community Foundation aimed at expanding scholarships and structured support for bright and needy learners.
The newly unveiled foundation will transform the Sacco’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of the past 12 years into a structured and well-governed subsidiary focused on education, youth empowerment, women empowerment, environmental conservation and health, with education taking centre stage.
Speaking during the launch, East Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Richard Ngatia, who was the chief guest, lauded the Sacco that operates mainly in Tharaka-Nithi, Meru and Nairobi Counties for prioritising education as a pillar of long-term economic and social resilience.
Ngatia said investing in education strengthens human capital and enables communities to make informed financial decisions, including participating in cooperative movements. He pledged to work with the Sacco, community leaders and other stakeholders to help beneficiaries of the foundation access university opportunities and one-year scholarships in their respective courses.
“Sustainable transformation is not the work of one institution but the result of many hands, hearts and shared vision. Strengthening communities secures the future and restores hope,” said Mr Ngatia.
Times U Sacco Chief Executive Officer Catherine Mwamba described the launch as a milestone in the Sacco’s journey, saying the foundation will provide better structure, accountability and the ability to mobilise partnerships and resources for education initiatives.
“For the last 12 years, we have been undertaking CSR activities which have formed the basis upon which the foundation is built. Today, we are transforming those efforts into a structured, dedicated and well-governed subsidiary,” said Ms Mwamba.
She emphasised that education remains central to the foundation’s mission through scholarships and school support programmes targeting bright but financially disadvantaged learners.
“We are investing in bright, needy learners not just to pass exams but to break cycles of poverty and unlock lifelong opportunities,” said Ms Mwamba.
According to Mwamba, the foundation will focus on three key objectives including creating measurable impact, strengthening governance and accountability, and enhancing partnerships and resource mobilisation to sustain education support programmes.
Area leaders welcomed the initiative, pledging support to ensure its success.Shadrack Mwiti commended the Sacco for its continued support to education and committed to collaborate on initiatives aimed at empowering youth through skills development and mentorship.
“Youth empowerment speaks to the future of the nation. Equipping them with skills and mentorship will enable them to become creators of solutions rather than seekers of survival,” he said.
Elizabeth Kailemia said the foundation comes at an opportune time and will complement ongoing efforts to support vulnerable and bright children in the community. She pledged to back the foundation to ensure it achieves its mandate of promoting access to education and societal enlightenment.
Edited by John Majau
