Irene’s dream was to become a self-reliant person.
- Born in 1994 in Kajiado county, Kenya
- Sponsored since 2009 for her secundary education
- Sponsored continued until 2017 for her diploma and bachelor in Business Administration
- She officially graduated in 2018
- She currently works for a government parastatal organization that deals with export
- She is 32 years old
Why did we sponsor Irene?
Irene grew up in a poor polygamous family with eight children. Her mother died in 2003. Irene was very eager to start her secondary school education, but although her parents wanted to give her that opportunity, they could not afford it. Because Kids to School recognizes the importance of a good education in building a better future, we have been sponsoring Irene since 2009.
Irene finished her high school in 2012 and in September 2013 she began her education in Business Administration at Kenyan Methodist University. Since early 2013 Irene has participated in the program of Maasai Girls Education Fund (MGEF). Irene was awarded her diploma with good results in April 2015 and in September 2015 she began with her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She graduated in October 2018.
Irene is now financially independent and she is able to sustain her small family and support her relatives through the income she earns. She is a role-model in her family and community and offers guidance to young girls.
Irene’s own words (from the Kids to School Newsletter March 2019)
I found my second family in Kids to School. Taking up someone’s responsibility by being a parent to a kid, you never gave birth to, is a rare thing in today’s world!!!
It started in 2009 when Kids to School started to pay for me to be able to go to high school. This came at a time when we were about to give up on my studies. My parents had a willing heart but no money to pay my education. But for me it was not easy to give up, I told them to wait for a longer time till it was really no longer possible. I believe in impossibilities. Every student with whom I finished class eight had already joined high school. God brought a helping hand through Sr. Jocelyn Pecto, one of the founders of Kids to School. I joined Rombo Girls Secondary school. I finished after four years, which was back in 2012. Kids to School was so good to me and gave me the possibility to go to university. In Sept 2013 I joined Kenya Methodist University and started to study for a diploma in Business Management. It took two years and I managed to finish it with credits in 2014. The Foundation was happy with my achievement. I am one of the few blessed. While waiting for the diploma, Kids to School pay my computer studies in June and Aug 2015.
Sept 2015 I received the most welcoming news that I could apply for a degree course. I enrolled for a degree in Business Administration (Finance Option) in Kenya Methodist University. As part of the study it is required for all students to do an internship for a period of three months. I did this in Sanlam insurance company working as a finance manager in credit managing. The company wrote me a recommendation letter. My degree course took two years; I was able to finish in Sept 2017. I graduated on Oct 13 2018 with a Second Class Honors upper division. Currently I am searching for a job to utilize my study into a real life thing. My dad is a happy man since he knows well that I will help him and my siblings out of the difficulties they have been going through because I have all what is needed. All this because of the Foundation Kids to School.Kids to School is my home and my family. Ans, as the president and a mother to us, is one of a kind. She is determined to see all of the kids happy after school and be able to become independent people. Every year at the annual students’ day we meet motivated speakers who encourage us.
José, young and determined. You are one by whom I was motivated through your desire of helping young people while you are still young!! God bless you too!!! Thank you dear. Members of the local advisory council you are not forgotten. You do so much for this organization God bless you all!!!
Maasai Girls Education Fund, you made the journey smoother. Lucy and the organization I found a home there. May God continue blessing you.
For the kids or rather students: work harder, take the opportunity given to you as a ladder to take you to another level. Don’t take it for granted. Do as it is advised by the mentors and leaders and your life in the organization will be smoother. All the best sisters and brothers.
We are not lucky but rather blessed to be given the chance for a bright future, God bless you so much and add you more years to see all of us becoming what we wanted to be.
Thank you so very much Kids to School. May you get all you need for the foundation to continue.WARM REGARDS WITH LOVE IRENE!!
