This is the message I would like to pass on to young persons. I believe that children and adolescents need to believe in themselves and their dreams, in order to succeed later in life. I have studied Cultural Anthropology, Social Politics and Gender Studies at the Georg-August University in Göttingen, volunteered in several NGOs in Romania, I have been a stagiaire at the European Commission in Brussels in the DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion, constantly being involved in activities oriented at ensuring social and educational welfare. I am also an authorized intercultural trainer and have experience in topics such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The Young Steps projects are very close to my heart, as I believe that every single step we are taking here has the potential of changing a life.

I am from the local community – Mwabungo Village, neighbouring Madago village. I am a mother of three girls. Due to my parents’ economic level, I am the only female child who was educated and benefits from the government’s ‘national cake’, from a family of twelve. I have managed to pursue a Bachelor degree in Education; this road has not been always easy, that is why I understand the needy areas of my learners and the economic challenges of the entire community. I started teaching in 2001 as a classroom teacher for grade three and did this for 7 years at the Kilole Primary School in Diani, within my home location. In 2008 I was promoted to be the deputy headmistress at Kingwede Primary School. I served here for six years, then promoted to be Headmistress in 2014 and transferred to Magaoni Primary School up to 2016. 

Since 2017 I have been the Headmistress of Madago Primary School. I do cooperate with the school board members, parents, teachers and the entire community. We normally receive government grants for all the learners, which we plan together and spend as per ministry’s guidelines. The government funds depend on the enrollment of the learners, and they do not cover other important needs for successfully attending school, such as meals or shelter or clothing. Thus, we really need support from you and anyone who is willing to help in order to facilitate some of the needy areas.

I love helping people, especially those who really need it. As for my hobbies, I love travelling and spending time in nature. I visited Kenya a little while ago and became attached to the places and people there. 

Through YOUng Steps Kenya we want to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get an education and understand that if they attend a school they will be able to make a radical change in their lives. We certainly cannot change the whole world, but if we can change one life, we have already accomplished an important mission. That changed life will probably in turn change another life. With small, well-considered steps we can make a difference for young people.

I like to meet new people, learn about their environment. In my free time I like to spend time with family and friends. I like music, dancing, hiking in nature, cycling, travelling. Through YOUng Steps Kenya we want to bring many smiles on the faces of young people in Kenya, to give them hope and open the way to new roads. 

Together we can make a lot of dreams come true!

After almost 42 years in the medical profession, I find I have something to say. I am a graduate of the Medicine University in Iasi, specialized in the field of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. 

The last 20 years I have practiced medicine in France, in Troyes, an area with a population well represented in people with a migration background from various African countries. As an anaesthetist you are the patient’s “soul doctor”. This is how I learned about the way of life of some women, some stories and situations being influenced by various beliefs and superstitions, perceptions that can lead to the refusal of medical care or advice that could ease their suffering. 

I believe it is crucial that women are informed about the decisions they have the right to make about their bodies, hygiene, contraception, early identification of diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases, and other related topics. 

Time now allows me to reflect on how I can get involved. From video conferences for students and other members of the community, to repeated annual trips to the site in order to organize face-to-face meetings, demonstrations and workshops to help keep young women healthy. A small effort that is nothing more than the fruit of a successful career can radically change the life of a family and even a community. 

When women support each other, incredible things happen. 🙂

I have attended the Tergat Primary School and followed then the course of secondary school. However, I had to interrupt my school attendance due to the difficulties faced at home. My single mother was unable to pay my school fee, so I had to drop out and start working. However, since my dream was to finish school, I managed to raise some money and after a bit more than a year I managed to go back and finish secondary school. My ambition was to study ICT, so I moved to town, worked and took myself to Computer College. I have managed to get my Certificate, but was unable to continue my studies. 

Having experienced the hurdles of access to education throughout my life as a child and as a young adult, it became clear to me that I wanted to support children in this respect. 

Therefore, I decided to volunteer teaching computer studies in Madago Primary School, and I have been doing this for three years now. There are a lot of challenges that children and teaching staff are facing every day. The lack of teaching equipment, the poor learning environment, lack of staff are only some examples of reasons that make it hard for the children to achieve their dreams. 

I am dedicating a part of my life to activities that will allow children to ease their way into education. My dream is that someday I will be able to finish my studies, so that the positive impact I can have on the community will be bigger.