The Jim McFie Education Fund was officially launched on Friday 20^th March, in a warm and auspicious event at Muthaiga Golf Club. Starting off with golf during the day and a culmination with dinner, the successful event saw a mix of CEOs, Accountants and golfers all in one room with speeches directed to honor the chief founder Dr. James Boyd McFie.

 

The room was filled with beneficiaries of Dr. McFie’s generosity who attested to his great contribution, and how impactful their lives are now. Top companies such as PWC, Deloitte, ICDC Kenya, Centum, Barclays Bank, Coca Cola, Seven Seas, Housing Finance Kenya, ICPAK Kenya, Bank of Africa, KPMG, CDSC, Chase Bank, UAP Insurance Kenya, and the main media sponsors Standard Media Group were present at the event. Kenya Shillings 6Million was raised from the golf event and 2Million raised for Endowment by Barcklays bank and PWC.

 

Dr. McFie has been in the education industry for decades, having taught accounting for over 50years in Kenya. He started his education career by specializing in mathematics in his undergraduate, but quickly took the accounting path, a choice he never regrets taking. “Accounting has served me very well and am grateful for that,” he said. Dr. McFie also discussed the importance of accounting, stating that he believes future leaders in the country will come from this field. Drawing his love for teaching from his mother who was also a teacher, Dr. McFie shared the fundamentals he uses to teach in an effort to ensure all his students understand accounting. He was grateful to all the companies that contributed to the fund, stating that his desire would be to see Kenya empowered by strong leaders.

 

“I am one of the people who got where they are because somebody offered to pay my school fees,” said Mr. Zeph Mbugua, one of Dr. McFie’s friend. Mr. Mbugua attested to the fact that Dr. McFie was a pillar in his education journey, as he generously contributed to offsetting his university fee anonymously. Strathmore alumna, Rael Magara was brought to tears as she also shared of her gratefulness to Dr. McFie who took the role of a father she never had and educated her.  The room was filled with silence as she expressed her gratitude, urging potential sponsors in the room to contribute to the fund and help those in need like her.

 

The McFie fund is geared towards supporting needy accounting students in the country. Coming from a place of giving on a need to need basis, Dr. McFie thought of creating a fund that will encourage giving to needy students for the long haul. Roping partnerships from companies will encourage giving on a regular basis. “Partnerships make things happen. I recognize the partners who have come on board tonight,” acknowledged Rose Ogega, the chairlady of the McFie fund board of trustees, as she gave the vote of thanks.

 

Contributing to a tune of 1,350,000 Kenya Shillings was one of the top accounting firms PWC, while Deloitte contributed to a tune of 1million Kenya Shillings. Other companies that contributed during the night included PKF who contributed to the tune of 835,000 Kenya Shillings and Coca Cola who contributed 500,000 Kenya shillings among other companies. Contributions from individuals were also visible with some contributing up to 100,000 Kenya shillings. The MC for the night, John Kiarie better known as KJ left his audience in stitches as he joyfully took them through the program. The Strathmore band also entertained guests with their melodious tunes throughout the night.

 

The golf event will be an annual event aimed at creating a platform for sponsorship arrangements with companies and individuals as well as networking opportunities among high profile corporate executives. The golfing initiative is expected to raise Kshs 15 million to cater for scholarships in 2015.

 

To contribute to this cause, view the details below:

 

The annual costs per student including tuition, accommodation and stipend are estimated at;

• Kshs 260,000 for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

• Kshs 455,000 for Bachelor of commerce (B.Com) (exempted)

• Kshs 500,000 for a full-time degree

 

For any of these programmes, the opportunities for partnership include:

 

• Sponsoring a number of students for the full course

• Sponsoring one student for the full course

• Contributing any amount to the General Education Fund

• Contributing any amount to the Endowment Fund

 

Click here to learn more about the Jim McFie Education Fund.

 

You can also follow the fund program on twitter @mcfieedufund.