The Soma Initiative

How it works

From potential to possibility.

SOMA's work begins by identifying students with the ability and ambition to continue their education — and understanding the circumstances that could make that difficult.

Through careful selection, direct school partnerships, scholarships, and continued support, SOMA helps students stay on their educational path.

Support a StudentSee Our Impact
A secondary school student in her brown school uniform with her Soma Initiative coordinator
  • Western Kenya
  • Student journey
  • Educational equity

It starts with potential

Potential should have somewhere to go.

A student can have the ability, determination, and academic potential to continue their education — and still face financial circumstances that make the next step difficult.

SOMA exists in that space: helping identify students who have the potential to continue and connecting them with the support they need to keep moving forward.

The model

How a student moves through SOMA

There is no single moment that defines the journey. SOMA's model is built around understanding the student, partnering with the school, and staying connected over time.

  1. 01

    Identify

    Active step

    SOMA begins by identifying students who are doing well academically and show the potential to continue their education, particularly when financial circumstances may make that path difficult.

    Looking for

    • Academic potential
    • Motivation
    • Need for support
    Soma Initiative scholarship students in their school uniforms, standing together with their programme coordinator on the school field
  2. 02

    Apply

    Students enter SOMA's application process and provide information that helps the organization understand their academic progress, circumstances, and goals.

    The application helps us understand

    • The student
    • Their education
    • Their circumstances
    • Their aspirations
  3. 03

    Listen

    A student is more than an application. SOMA speaks with students, families, and teachers to better understand the person behind the academic record.

    Conversations and home visits can provide important context about a student's family circumstances, educational experience, and potential.

    People we listen to

    • Student
    • Family
    • Teachers
    Parents, students and teachers gathered in a classroom for a Soma Initiative community meeting
  4. 04

    Assess

    SOMA considers the full picture — not academic performance alone.

    Together, these perspectives help SOMA understand whether a student is a strong fit for scholarship support.

    What we consider

    • Academic performance
    • Financial need
    • Family circumstances
    • Teacher feedback
  5. 05

    Select

    After the application, conversations, and assessment process, SOMA selects students for scholarship support.

    Potential + need + context → opportunity.

    The goal is to connect support with students who have both the potential to continue and a meaningful need for assistance.

  6. 06

    Support

    The scholarship is designed to support a student's educational journey — not simply one school bill or one moment in time.

    Four years. One continuing journey.

    SOMA's goal is to accompany students through the four years of secondary school, helping reduce the financial barriers that could otherwise interrupt their education.

    A secondary school student in uniform standing with his Soma Initiative coordinator
  7. 07

    Stay Connected

    Support does not end when a student receives a scholarship. SOMA maintains relationships with students, schools, families, and community partners throughout the journey.

    Ongoing support

    • Student check-ins
    • School relationships
    • Academic encouragement
    • Community connection
    A facilitator addressing students and parents during a Soma Initiative session in a classroom
  8. 08

    Look Ahead

    Completing secondary school is not the end of the story. It is another step toward what comes next.

    SOMA hopes students leave the program better positioned to pursue further education, meaningful opportunities, and the future they have been working toward.

See the Impact

School partnership

Support reaches the school, too.

SOMA works directly with partner schools to help ensure scholarship resources are directed toward the student's educational needs.

Scholarship funds are sent directly to schools rather than directly to students or parents. Families may continue to contribute toward personal or school-related needs when they are able.

  1. SOMA

    Scholarship resources

  2. School

    Partner secondary school

  3. Student

    Educational needs met

  4. Family

    Continuing connection

Built on relationships and accountability.

SOMA's model combines local relationships with direct school partnerships and continued communication around the student's journey.

Local

Relationships with students, families, teachers, and communities.

Direct

Scholarship resources are directed to partner schools.

Continuous

Support is intended to extend beyond a single transaction.

What support can look like

What support can make possible

The needs of each student can be different. Depending on the program and the student's circumstances, support may help address educational costs and needs that can make continuing school difficult.

  • Books & materials
  • Uniforms
  • School-related costs
  • Transportation
  • Meals
  • Boarding
  • Academic support
  • Other educational needs

These are examples of education-related costs support may help address, not a guarantee that every item is covered for every student.

A Soma Initiative student smiling alongside a programme lead outside her family's shop

Behind the process is a person.

Every application represents a student with a story, a family with circumstances of its own, and a future that is still being written.

Meet the Students

Student story

A student story is on its way.

Location
Western Kenya
Joined SOMA
To be added

We only publish stories students and families have agreed to share. The first verified story will appear here, with the student's own words alongside their academic journey.

Read our stories

What happens next?

A scholarship is not the finish line. It is an opportunity to keep moving.

Explore SOMA's Impact

Help keep opportunity moving.

Your support can help a capable student continue their education and stay on the path toward what comes next.

Support a StudentSee the Impact