Request for Scholarship for Women Students

Kenya

St Paul’s United Theological College, Kenya

St. Paul’s originated as a divinity school in 1885 through the work of the Church Missionary Society (CMS, later became the Anglican Church in Kenya) among the freed slaves at the East Coast of Africa, near Mombasa Town. It was later moved to the present location in Limuru (Central Province) about 35 kilometers (53 miles) from Nairobi, capital city of Kenya.

In the 1950s St. Paul’s became an ecumenical theological institution as the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in Kenya joined the Anglican Church in sending students and in running the affairs of the College. Today, St. Paul’s is sponsored by these churches as well as the Reformed Church and the National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK), which means many other churches including African Instituted (Independent) Churches are sending students. The College also accepts students from other African countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zambia. In 1977 it opened doors for women to undertake theological studies, and the first woman was a refugee from Uganda. The first Kenyan woman joined the College in 1978. Since the 1980’s, several churches in Kenya ordain women, others have accepted to train women, engage them in lay ministry while they debate the ordination factor. In the 1990’s, the College completed a Women’s Centre to ensure adequate accommodation for women. The College accepts both single and married students (married quarters are available as well as for single students).

The College offers a three-year Bachelor of Divinity degree (started in 1978) and since 2000 it began a Masters degree in Theology (M.Th.) in conjunction with University of Aberdeen, UK. Today, there are 25 women students out of a total student population of 110. These women students are supported in various ways including support from their churches, their families, and by some partners in the North. Among these women there are those who come already ordained after some initial theological training at diploma level in Bible (denominational) Schools. There are also those lay women who are planning to enter ordained or even lay ministry after their studies in St. Paul’s. The College is looking for a block grant (scholarship) to assist reduce the gap between students who struggle to raise fees from their poor families or very poor churches. It is also hoped that the number of women students and faculty will increase. Two women faculty are working with churchwomenÁs organizations to conduct ecumenical seminars to raise support for women in theological education and ministry. Women theologians in Kenya also are helping to equip the library with feminist and gender studies literature.

It takes $3,000 to train one student per year. The Academic year runs from September to May.