Support girls' education and end FGM in Kenya

After a year of intense academic study, intellectually stimulating field trips, and leadership-building extracurriculars, students at our boarding schools, the Kakenya Centers for Excellence (KCE I and II) concluded their school year at the end of October. The Kenyan school year follows the calendar year. Our sixth, ninth, and twelfth graders took standardized exams in November. These exams test the cumulative knowledge of students as they transition into junior high (grades 7 to 9), senior high (grades 10 to 12), or graduate high school. Compared to the county’s average rates of 58% and 24% for girls completing their primary and high school education, we are proud to share that 100% of our students finish primary and high school. All 440 girls enrolled in 2025 completed their respective grades, transitioning to the next one or for the twelfth graders, graduating from high school. 

Recognizing that a girl’s family environment plays a crucial role in her academic, emotional, and social well-being, we actively integrated parents into our model throughout the school year. During new student orientations back in January, we held meetings with parents to discuss expectations and build strong relationships. Parents signed formal agreements pledging not to marry off their daughters or subject them to female genital mutilation (FGM) in exchange for our full support of their daughters’ education and personal development.

We continued to engage families throughout the year through clinics and parent sessions. Their participation, averaging 64%, demonstrates growing investment in their daughters’ education and a commitment to ending harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage. In a community where parental involvement in children's education—especially girls'—is rare, particularly among fathers, this is encouraging. These engagement efforts are critical to shifting social norms and ensuring long-term community buy-in. This long-standing approach has proven highly effective: 100% of our students remain free from FGM, a stark contrast to the broader community, where the majority of girls and women are still affected.

Thanks to the generosity of GlobalGiving donors, girls like Dorcas are able to pursue their dreams of a high school education and ultimately, professional careers. Dorcas enrolled at our high school in 2023 as a ninth grader. Her father recently passed away, placing the financial burden on her mother to afford the fees necessary to keep Dorcas in school. Like her mother, who never finished primary school, and most girls in the community, Dorcas was at risk of dropping out, undergoing FGM, and being married off early for her bride price. When she received a scholarship to attend our school, she called it her “safe haven.” 

At Kakenya’s Dream, Dorcas found an intellectually challenging environment and supportive teachers who encouraged her to dream big. “I used to be shy and scared, avoiding challenges. Now, I have learned the importance of confidence and staying focused on my studies and life goals.” One of her proudest moments was winning a computer competition against tenth graders while she was still in ninth grade. “That victory motivated me and proved to me that I could achieve great milestones,” she said. “It strengthened my resilience and persistence.”

Unlike most rural schools, our campuses have fully equipped science labs to provide students with hands-on learning experiences and encourage girls’ interest in STEM subjects, which are traditionally male-dominated. As a result, Dorcas’ passion for STEM continues to grow. This year, she and a fellow classmate were recognized at a national science and technology exhibition for their innovative project that utilized low-cost, accessible materials like purple cabbage to create acidity indicators. Testing soil and water acidity are critical for farming, the main livelihood in our community. “I’ve always loved science, and I believe real solutions come through innovation. I believe I can generate ideas to create affordable, home-based solutions that can bring change and help my community grow.” 

Where we work, women are discouraged from speaking publicly and not seen as leaders in society. At Kakenya’s Dream, Dorcas is finding her voice and ambition through STEM. Her dream is to one day become a neurosurgeon, a career inspired by the loss of several loved ones including her father. “I have seen many people undergo surgery, but too often, their chances of survival are low. I want to work hard, join the medical field, and research why many patients do not survive critical surgeries. My goal is to contribute to finding solutions and improving survival rates.”