Educate girls and fight poverty in Kenya

This year, WGEP will give life-changing scholarships to 213 girls in the rural Tharaka region of Kenya. Each of those scholarships includes more than just tuition--it also includes everything a girl needs to succeed, like books, toiletries, FGM/C prevention and workshops.

But that's not all. Our scholars go on become the next generation of leaders and change makers.

WGEP scholars have the support of their teachers, families, local leaders, and entire communities. Girls who have gone through our program frequently come back as event speakers, tutors, volunteers, interns, and even staff members, eager to serve as role models for younger girls who need someone to look up to and show them that the world is full of possibilities.

Meet Sarah Karegi Kiria, former WGEP scholar. Aniceta Kiriga, director of the Tharaka Women's Welfare Program (TWWP), our local partner organization, said that she began noticing that as a beneficiary, Sarah would be very active in the community. She would ask a lot of questions, arrive early for workshops and events, and volunteer to go above and beyond in making sure the other attendees felt welcome. Now, at just 21 years old, she works for TWWP as a Program Outreach Officer!

I joined the Sisters to School program in 2009 while in primary school and attended the Alternative Rite of Passage program to avoid female genital cutting as well. Sisters to School was so helpful in keeping me in school by paying for my secondary school fees and personal items a swell. The program empowered me to realize my full potential and gave me the skills to handle life's toughest challenges!

After I completed my final year of school, I was so excited to be invited to work in the TWWP office. My goal is to go to university to further my education by taking Mass Communication and Journalism classes. A lot of kudos to WGEP’s donors and all program officials for their support, because now that I have a great job, I can assist my parents in paying for my 3 sisters and brother to go to school!

Stories like this are what makes our program and local partnerships so special. Thank you for supporting young girls like Sarah as they step up to become the next generation of inspiring leaders!