Support girls' education and end FGM in Kenya

Between March and April, our eighth and twelfth grade students took their Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. These important national tests determine students’ high school and university or college placements respectively. They also marked a series of firsts for Kakenya’s Dream. Our eighth graders made organizational history by hitting our highest ever average scores in their KCPE exams with a mean of 348 out of 500 marks! Likewise, the twelfth graders’ results scored in the top five of our sub-county of 36 schools. We are tremendously proud of their hard work and perseverance, which was all the more impressive given the 2021 condensed academic year that reduced their time to prepare and study. 

After KCPE exams finished in March, our latest cohort of fourth grade students enrolled at the Kakenya Center for Excellence I (KCE I), where we received 237 applicants to fill 40 spots. These new students come from distinctly marginalized backgrounds, with a majority having parents or guardians that did not complete any formal education. 

Working in a heavily rural area, we have many students with similar backgrounds, including Mercy, a current seventh grader. Before coming to KCE I in 2018, Mercy crossed a river every day barefoot in order to go to school. Besides often missing school whenever the river’s water levels rose during heavy rains, Mercy doubted she would be able to finish her education at all as she watched her older siblings drop out due to lack of fees. Thankfully, she heard about how KCE I offered scholarships to students in similar situations and persuaded older relatives to take her to our enrollment interviews. Being accepted into our school gave her a huge sense of relief: “I was so happy. I knew the struggle of crossing the river would end." 

Now a confident, driven student, Mercy dreams of becoming a doctor: "My favorite subjects are mathematics and science. I want to be a physician to help my community in treating the sick." Her determination to continue learning inspires us to ensure that every girl, no matter her family’s background or financial situation, can access a quality education and pursue her career goals. 

At our boarding high school campus, the Kakenya Center for Excellence II (KCE II), we enrolled our new ninth graders, interviewing 88 applicants for 37 openings. The total current enrollment for KCE I is 195 students and for KCE II, 129 students. The 2022 school year began in late April with our team hitting the ground running for students, who will once again be under immense pressure to concentrate on their exams and complete the government-mandated school curriculum within seven months before the 2023 school year begins next January.

With the new school year underway, we are deeply grateful for supporters like you who ensure that our students have everything they need to succeed academically, emotionally, and physically. Thank you for your continued dedication; we look forward to sharing more updates with you in a few months!