For years our organisation’s inspiration, Dr Kakenya Ntaiya, dreamed of seeing girls from her village join universities. This was one of the main reasons she started a boarding school for girls in her village.

And now, almost ten years since the Kakenya Center for Excellence (KCE) welcomed its first students, that dream is being realised. Twenty-four of KCE’s pioneer group of girls that graduated from high school in December 2017 are now joining universities, 21 in Kenya and three in Australia.

“All these 24 girls have been transformed through KCE and are dreaming big,” says Dr Kakenya.

In May 2018, seven of our 24 girls joined their respective universities located in different urban towns within Kenya. Among them is 18-year-old Celestine, who is pursuing an Accountancy and Financial Management degree at Africa International University in Nairobi.

“I want to become a banker in the future and offer financial advice to people on how best to use funds,” says Celestine. She adds, “Many girls from my village have dropped out of school and married off and miss out on joining university. I am happy to further my education at a university and gain skills and knowledge that will enable me to have a bright future.”

Celestine says that joining university has made her more responsible. “Unlike in high school, I now manage my studying habits and secure my daily meals.”

Brenda, also 18, has enrolled at the Co-operative University of Kenya and is pursuing a diploma in community development. “I want to be a social worker and support the vulnerable people in the community,” she says.

By September this year, all our 24 girls will be at their universities and colleges pursuing the degrees and diplomas of their choice. Each will develop her passion and skills to become a leader and changemaker in her family, village, community, and even country.

This is the power of Kakenya’s Dream!