Friday 14^th November 2014 saw Strathmore University students, members of staff and alumni gathered in the University Auditorium for a fundraising cocktail themed Reach out and educate a generation. The event, under the initiative dubbed Elimisha Stratizen, was organized by the Strathmore Student Council, under the office of the Dean of Students. It had a blend of interactive speech sessions, entertainment from poets, dancers and pianist, an auction not to forget the sharing of some bitings.  

 

Mother Teresa commented that “The greatest disease in the world today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for.” It is in the same spirit that Strathmore Students, also known as Stratizens, extend love and care to the less privileged among them through Elimisha Stratizen; an endowment fund for scholarships.

 

The initiative sprouted as an idea among a group of Strathmore students in 2010. These enthused students, with the help of a few staff members, raised money through various schemes the most successful of which were car washes and “project finje” where students would contribute Kshs. 50 into the kitty monthly. It later grew to Elimisha Stratizen in 2012.

 

The vision of Elimisha Stratizen is to enable all Stratizens continue with their University education comfortably and in the scheduled time. Its aim has been to raise at least Kshs. 5 million converting it to a fully self-sustainable endowment fund. With the help of the Community Service Centre (CSC), Class representatives, Elimisha Stratizen ambassadors and other patriotic Stratizens, the initiative has moved closer and closer to its achieving its goal.

 

The guests in attendance at the event included personalities such as; Mr. Morris Ochieng, better known as Mdomo Baggy, who was the MC for the night; Mr. Robinson Gichuhi, Head of Radio at Spark F.M. representing Mr. Johnson Mwakazi; Mr. Christopher Khaemba,Executive member (County Cabinet Secretary) in charge of Education, Youth Affairs, Social Services, Culture in Nairobi; as well as well renown Student Union leaders from other Kenyan Universities.

 

At the close of the event, a total amount of over half a million Kenyan shillings was raised.