As we know, Daystar has enabled many students to pursue their potential and find success in a country that limits job opportunity. However, Daystar goes so much farther than that. Daystar quite literally changes hearts each and every day. I asked a few of my close DU friends to tell me first-hand where they think their lives would have ended up if not for Daystar's influence. Below is what Cate had to say:
Cate Makoha, DU alumna, faculty member, and scholarship recipient.
"Flashing back to my childhood, I just smile fondly but also feel sorry for that toddler back then. I was a very rough young girl surviving in the slums alone. I didn’t have any sense of direction and I didn’t care, for that matter. I received Christ as my personal savior for the very first time when I was in third grade at a school altar call."
"Slowly, I started to purposely work on my character and attitude towards life. God surely made everything new for me. Now I have true friends, I am at a better place in life, and I am not the same kid who would scare others away.
If Christ didn’t save me, then I would not be the woman I am today. I wouldn’t truly be this cheerful with life, I wouldn't see good in people, and I would not intentionally want to better someone else. I would be wild, selfish, greedy, and completely wicked in all counts. I would not have come to Daystar and continually been transformed and while at it, try to change other young innocent souls’ circumstances."
"I am more than grateful to God for guiding me to attend Daystar University, where I have met wonderful humans who have played a pivotal role in coloring my life. Neither my humble background nor my past can define me because God gifted me with education through support and mentorship from Daystar. I have been given an opportunity to serve humanity, expand my knowledge base, and to be God’s witness wherever I go." - Cate
This year 961 student's applied for financial aid at Daystar University. Of those students only 550 were awarded some form of aid. That leaves over 400 students without the opportunity to attend school.
Cate was one of those students who was chosen to receive financial aid. With that support she was able to gain valuable experience not only in school, but participating in a work-study program in DU's Financial Aid Office. With her education and experience she was offered a paid position as the Assistant Financial Aid Officer at DU. With the help of education, and your support, Cate is helping to transform hundreds of lives each day.
Think of all the "Cates" out there who could transform more lives than just their own with the support of a scholarship.
Cate receiving the Chancellors Award in November 2023.
Left to right: Cate, Nancy DeCamp, DUS CFO, and Jennifer Kinoti, DU Financial Aid Officer.
Cate at graduation chapel at Athi River campus.
Cate with her award at Nairobi campus.