The Schefers Servant Leadership Loan Program

Your matching gift is doubled up to $250,000. Double your impact today.

Investing in the future of Africa, one student at a time

“A loan made for an education can be one of the best investments you can make if done wisely”

El and Barb Schefers know personally the difference a small student loan can make in a life.  El received a small student loan which enabled him to complete his university business degree.  With this degree, El spent over 40 years working long hours in a successful insurance business while Barb was a full-time care giver to their four children.  The Shefers now want to give this same opportunity to other Daystar University students in Nairobi, Kenya.  In 2020, the Schefers gave a generous gift of $250,000 to begin the Schefers Servant Leadership Loan Program.  This program provides an opportunity for U.S. donors to support African university students who would not be able to attend without a small loan.   Now retired, the Shefers started the loan program with hopes that it would grow over time to be their legacy of trying to do good now and for many years to come.

The demand for higher education has increased tremendously in Kenya. Though Daystar’s annual tuition of $6,000 is low compared to U.S. standards, 300-400 bright young people are turned away every year because they cannot raise the tuition.  Many highly qualified people are stranded in poverty—people who can make a difference, if given the opportunity.  Many students have no access to loans or scholarships and must either sacrifice at great cost to obtain this education or forego the dream altogether.  Government grants, loans, and scholarships are not readily available in Kenya. 

The loan program was begun with the conditions that the original $250,000 will only be available for student loans when matched per dollar with the hope of a reaching an initial $500,000 for needy students.  Also all interest from the loans will go back into the fund to support more students over time. To reach its full potential of helping many Daystar students with financial needs, the loan program will require support from donors on an on-going basis. The interest rates for the loans will be well below the normal rate for consumer loans but not so low as to discourage paying back the loan as soon as possible.  The maximum amount to be awarded to the students will be a $900 per semester. 

 The requirements for qualification for the loan program will be Daystar students who:

• Are closer to completing the program.

• Exhibit a strong Christian character and involvement in ministry

• Have a demonstrated financial need.

• Possess above average academic achievement (CUM GPA of at least 3.0 for postgraduate students and 2.50 for undergraduate students).

• Demonstrate mature behavior in all areas of university life.

Please consider investing into the future of Africa by supporting the Shefers Servant Leadership Loan Program .  Your matching gift is doubled up to $250,000,thereby, doubling your impact.  To quote a donor, “You are not simply meeting a need, but providing a solution.”  Through supporting Daystar students you are empowering graduates to bring a future and hope to Africa.

“In 2013 on a Daystar University, my wife Barb and I had a short visit with eight of the students we had supported… It confirmed that for me this is an excellent investment in that it fills a DREAM & LEGACY of what I wanted to do—help others by creating jobs or community building and, while making a good living, to also help others get the same chance they received. You also get very good value for your charitable dollar in that you can educate a student in Africa for less than one-fourth of the cost in the USA and they will more likely stay to help develop Africa, as 80% who graduate do.” El Schefers