MacLean’s dream was to study pharmacology. But instead, she was admitted to Nutrition and Dietetics, which she came to love since she started it. This study will also enable her to provide for herself and her young daughter without depending on others.
- Born in 1996 in Vihiga county, Kenya
- Sponsored from 2021 to 2023 for her study Nutrition and Dietetics
- She is 30 years old
Why did we sponsor MacLean?
MacLean was from a stable and close family. She was in a good secondary school. Her mother passed away just before her final examinations in May 2015, an event that completely changed her life. However, she did graduate from secondary school with good results. Her father remarried in the same year, forcing MacLean and her younger brother to seek shelter with an aunt. Since then, MacLean has not had a stable home environment. MacLean’s father lost his business and could no longer afford to clear her high school fees. As a result, she did not receive the official KCSE result slip, which contained her examination results. This document is required for admission to higher education institutions.
In 2016, thanks to a supportive school principal, MacLean was able to obtain the required KCSE document without making the outstanding payment. Her father took out a loan for her study. So two years later, in September 2017, she finally had the opportunity to start her studies Nutrition and Dietetics. By that time, MacLean was living with her boyfriend, was pregnant, and the borrowed money had long since run out. Due to unpaid tuition fees, she missed classes and was not allowed to sit for her examinations. As a result, she was forced to discontinue her studies in July 2018.
As a single mother, MacLean became acquainted with Kids to School in 2021 through LAC mentor Carole Kisato. Kids to School gave her the opportunity to complete the final two years of her studies, thereby improving her changes of building an independent future. The sponsorship began in April 2021, and in April 2023 she successfully passed her final examinations.
How is MacLean doing now?
After passing her final exams, MacLean had to wait until she was able to take the national licensing exam, which is required in order to work as a dietitian.
In the meantime, she worked part-time in a medical team teaching about breast feeding and a healthy lifestyle. After that she worked in a completely different field, performing eye tests. Although this job did not pay as well as a position as a dietitian would, it provided the basic necessities for herself and her young daughter. Without higher education, it is highly unlikely that she would have been able to find such employment.
By the end of 2025, MacLean had obtained all the official qualifications and certifications required to practice as a dietitian. She is now working towards establishing her own nutrition supplements and dietary consultancy practice.
In MacLean’s own words (Newsletter Kids to School, July 2023)
Over tien jaar zie ik mezelf als zelfstandig ondernemer met een voedingsadviespraktijk en een supplementenapotheek, als God het wil. Ik kan, als ik geen baan vind, mijn eigen werk creëren en toch een succesvolle carrière opbouwen.