Support girls' education and end FGM in Kenya

The Kakenya Centers for Excellence (KCE I and II) continue to transform social norms towards gender equality and improve girls’ access to education as all-girls, full-support boarding schools. All 440 enrolled students recently started the third and final term of the Kenyan school year, which runs from late August to mid-October. Our sixth, ninth, and twelfth graders are studying intensely for their end-of-year standardized exams, which determine their placement at secondary and post-secondary institutions for next year. Because our schools have a lower student-to-teacher ratio (1:15) than most rural schools in the area, we can provide personalized attention to each student, nurturing her academic and intellectual progress. 

In addition to providing quality instruction and educational infrastructure, we celebrate recent achievements championing girls’ agency and extracurricular success. Recent standout student performances include: 

• 81 students from KCE I and II performed at county-level drama festivals
• 3 KCE II high school students won 1st place at sub-county music festival
• 1st place for KCE II in Kiswahili contest against five other local schools

Students went on a field trip to Nairobi in June, visiting meteorological sites, the Kenyan Parliament, the National Museum, and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). For many girls, these experiences are the first time that they have traveled outside their home village, developing their confidence, self-expression, and exposing them to new cultures and careers. This is critically important in a society that primarily values them for their bride prices and childrearing abilities. 

“I believe in the power of education. In a community where women and girls hardly inherit land, the value of education to me and many other girls in the community is immeasurable. Education liberates me, gives me wings to fly to success.” - Irene, 11th grader at KCE II

Our holistic educational approach is making a difference: in August, 81 high school graduates from KCE I and II received scholarships from Kakenya’s Dream to attend higher education alongside 40 other young women in the community. These young women are pioneering the way forward with 84% of KCE graduates transitioning to higher education, compared to the county average of 13%. 

To ensure students are fully prepared to transition from school to adulthood, we also operate a gap year program. The Kenyan primary and secondary school year ends in December; most tertiary institutions start in September. During the nine month period between high school graduation and tertiary enrollment, graduates hone digital skills, learn financial management, and strengthen academic and life skills through our gap year activities. 

Kakenya’s Dream’s commitment to girls’ empowerment, education, and autonomy is making an immense impact for young girls and women in Kenya. This is only possible thanks to the generous support of donors like you and the GlobalGiving community.