I was working as the Principal of a women’s college, seeing how the power of education transformed the lives of girls from a poor background.  Kenyan born and bred, I didn’t experience city life until I was studying for my bachelor’s degree, and I then worked for many years in various educational roles before becoming a Principal.

 When I first took on the role for Women For Women In Africa I didn’t know how long it might last, but my previous experience with educating those from poor backgrounds was the driving force behind my decision.  The joy and happiness education brought the children of Kibera, and the difference this brought to their lives, has literally got me hooked into doing everything in my power to provide this opportunity to as many children as possible.

I’m a Loreto nun and am fortunate enough to have an excellent education.  I won a presidential scholarship and hold a Master of Business Administration through the College for Professional Studies at Regis University in Colorado, USA, and a Master’s degree from the London Metropolitan University.

An education such as mine is something that the children of Kibera can only dream of.  Anything I can do to assist as many as possible gain the advantage of at least some education is the passion that drives me.  Education truly does change lives for the better, and providing this opportunity helps not only the child involved, but others in their network as well.

I am a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers from Kenya. I grew up in Nairobi as the eldest of three siblings. My passion lies in witnessing and contributing to improving people’s lives, especially those who start from disadvantaged positions. I find great fulfillment in community development efforts that lead to social transformation and better living standards for individuals and families.

I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Human Development Studies from Tangaza University in 2023. My interest in social transformation guided me to pursue this field of study, aiming to better understand how to positively impact marginalized communities with the resources available.

I came to know about WKW in 2014 through Br. Russel Peters when I joined the Congregation. In 2023, after completing my coursework and waiting for my graduation, I was eager to volunteer at WKW to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting while waiting for my graduation. During my volunteer period, I dedicated myself to the tasks at hand and learned a great deal about poverty alleviation and professional development. I had the opportunity to work closely with the former assistant director, who provided valuable guidance on how to effectively contribute to the organization’s goals.

Today, I am fortunate to serve as the Assistant Director at WKW. I am deeply grateful for the chance to be part of this incredible Centre of transformation. Working with the dedicated staff, I am committed to alleviating poverty and helping WKW achieve its mission and vision. What truly inspires me is seeing families transform their lives through our programs and watching students from underprivileged backgrounds in Kibra become champions of change through education.

Born and raised in Kibera, I grew up amidst poverty and the challenges of accessing education. I have always been determined to assist others in overcoming these obstacles through mentorship and guidance, helping them alleviate themselves from poverty through education.

As the Education Support Officer in charge of tertiary education at WKW, I am dedicated to empowering tertiary students to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams. My role involves providing support and resources to students, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities needed to succeed.

Before joining WKW, I worked with several organizations focused on empowering communities through education. At AVSI Kenya, I contributed to projects aimed at improving educational outcomes for children from underprivileged backgrounds. With Edmund Rice Karibu Group, I was involved in initiatives that supported underprivileged youths in accessing skills that will support them in life. Additionally, my work with the G-United Education Program allowed me to engage in community development efforts, promoting education as a means of social transformation in the village of Taita Taveta.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Catholic University of Eastern Africa, which has equipped me with critical thinking skills and a deep understanding of the social issues affecting my community. This educational background has been instrumental in shaping my approach to mentorship and community support. Additionally, I have a certificate in child protection from Gregorian University which has equipped me with knowledge of understanding children rights, policies and responsibilities.

My journey began in a serene rural setting, and it was in university that I transitioned to city life. This move marked the start of an exciting new chapter in my personal and professional development. I joined Tangaza University to pursue a Bachelor of Education. Immediately after I graduated in 2017, I learned about WKW and applied for a teaching position at the Br. Frank Chappell Informal School.

At WKW, I trained in child safeguarding through the Gregorian Pontifical University, which has helped me implement child protection policies. I have been in charge of the Tertiary Department and later transitioned to the Secondary Section. It has been a great learning curve for me. At the beginning of 2024, I moved to the Women Department, where I take care of the four women’s groups, including their training. Working at WKW and with the families of Kibera has been very transformative and exciting for me. I have seen and attended many student beneficiaries' graduations, and their lives have improved.

Seeing the direct impact of education on individuals and their families motivates me to continue my work. I am passionate about empowering women and families, helping them overcome challenges, and achieving better livelihoods. I look forward to seeing more families achieve improved livelihoods through the power of education, and I want to see the lives of women improved.

I am Yvonne Okwisa, born and raised in kibra by a single parent family. My mother, Joyce Mmbone took me and my siblings to Baraka Za Ibrahim primary school for our formal education. At the beginning of second grade in 2008, I had challenges in continuing with my education due to the unwanted guest by the name of poverty who came and took control over our family. I had faith and hope in God who gave me big dreams and would make me achieve them. Light of hope shone back again in my life when my mother joined the Wanawake Kwa Wanawake organisation in 2009 through women groups in Kibra.

I later joined WKWIA through their sponsorship programme of Kibera children. The organisation fully supported my education from third grade to higher learning at college. I went to Kibondeni college in 2018 where I got my certificate in hospitality management and my profession as a chef. Later on, I got a job at the organisation as an educational support officer in the catering department and that is what I am currently doing. I’m very grateful and happy for in spite of my profession I am able to mentor and encourage younger students in the programme to focus on achieving their dreams through education.

My desire in life has always been in creating a positive thinking in people's lives through skills, talents and not leaving education. I am very glad, for through my work I can socialize with women groups and inspire them that with catering skills one can do a variety of things even self-employing oneself. I will keep encouraging people that poverty is just an unwanted guest in our lives and we can get rid of it through education and hard work.

My early life was a struggle right from primary to secondary school level. I can tell the amount of time I was in school as compared to the amount of time I was at home due to lack of fees. I started valuing education at a very tender age and this is the reason I would do any kind of job to pay for my tuition and national exams.

 I joined WkW back in 2010 as a volunteer after my grade 12 national exams. During this time, I had no idea of what my future would be because going to university wasn’t part of it. Having come from a very humble and poor background, I would grab any job opportunity that came my way because I wanted to be useful to my family.

In July 2012, I got a sponsorship opportunity to go to university and through the support of Peter & Esther Dyer, I joined Strathmore University and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts). All the years I was in the university, during my free time, I’d come back to help at the Centre to meet and interact with students. After graduation, I committed to volunteering at the Centre as a way of giving back to the community. I’ve also done CPA (CPA 4) at Strathmore University. I’ve trained as a Child Protection Officer; Gregorian Pontifical University, Monitoring and Evaluation (Tangaza University) and Financial Management Systems, Budgeting and Financial Reporting by Asset Africa.

Benson Njoroge Mwaniki is a dedicated ICT Trainer, Photographer, and Social Media Manager at WKW, where he empowers youth and young children with essential digital skills. Through hands-on training, he equips learners with ICT knowledge, helping them navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Beyond training, Benson plays a crucial role in capturing impactful moments as a photographer, visually documenting WKW’s work to showcase its impact. As the social media manager, he ensures WKW’s online presence is engaging and effective, leveraging digital platforms to amplify the organization’s mission and reach a broader audience.

Through his work at WKW, Benson is committed to using technology and media to inspire, educate, and drive positive change, ensuring that digital literacy becomes a tool for empowerment.

Titus Masila is a seasoned Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) professional with over 8 years of progressive experience in project management, report writing, proposal development, and impact assessment. With a strong background in designing and implementing M&E systems, Titus has contributed significantly to the success of various community-based and development projects across diverse sectors.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management from Tangaza University and a Master’s Degree in Project Planning and Management from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. His academic training and hands-on field experience have equipped him with strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and analytical skills essential for data-driven decision-making and sustainable development.

Titus is passionate about driving change through evidence-based programming and is committed to fostering accountability, learning, and continuous improvement in project implementation. His goal is to support organizations in achieving impactful, measurable results through effective planning, execution, and evaluation of programs