You won’t miss Kelly’s cheerful demeanor and her determination. After graduating from high school, Kelly returned to our elementary school, where she volunteers her time to mentor the next generation of girls.

Coming back to volunteer, she explains, has been a rewarding trip down memory lane. “I had the best experience at KCE I. It’s where my academic journey took shape and I feel connected to it. I see the students as part of myself and I’m glad to be their mentor.”

Despite struggling with her high school exams in 2022, she didn’t give up. She remembers making the difficult decision to go back to school feeling like “these grades are not me, maybe I slipped a bit. I sat down, took my time, then I said, ‘let me go back to school.’” In the end, she performed exceptionally well, and her impressive score earned her placement at a major Kenyan university.

Kelly plans to bring her passion for volunteer mentorship into a teaching career. “I feel uplifted every time a teacher sends me to class to help with instructing learners. I know I made the right career choice. I’d love to teach at KCE I since this is the place I’m from. This is where my foundation began.” After discovering her love for English literature, she decided to pursue a bachelor of arts in the subject at Kisii University. Kelly says, “reading allowed me to explore. I’m able to learn about new things from books and apply those lessons to my life.”

Kelly believes, “education will free you. You will depend on yourself and get your own job, so you don’t have to rely on anyone else.” She says she learned the value of independence from her grandmother. “I was raised by my grandmother. What I appreciate about her is that she is a single mom and she stands on her own. Through her, I am here.”