Monicah’s Pay-it-Forward Mission

Monicah, Program Alumni, Kenya

I spent one incredible week in February visiting schools in rural East Africa. Along with my fellow peer mentors, calling our group “Naitawang Youth Empowerment,”  we set out to share the invaluable lessons we had learned as participants in Asante Africa Foundation’s youth programs. Our goal for our trip – to touch the lives of other youth, to encourage hope, and to inspire change.

 “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” – Desmond Tutu 

Our week began at Ole Mugur Primary School, where we had the opportunity to engage with eager young minds through our mentorship program. Here, we shared insights, experiences, and guidance, aiming to inspire these young students to envision a brighter future for themselves and their community. The interaction was not only enlightening for the students but also incredibly rewarding for us, as we witnessed the spark of ambition and curiosity in their eyes.

Continuing our journey of impact, we visited Olchorro High School where we undertook  significant activities: tree planting and the donation of sanitary towels. We launched our group’s Young Green Pioneer’s project which was a hands-on experience for both us and the students, highlighting the importance of environmental conservation and the role each individual plays in safeguarding our planet. This activity was not just about planting trees but planting seeds of responsibility towards Mother Nature in the hearts of the young participants.

Our donation of sanitary towels addressed a critical need, ensuring that young girls have access to basic hygiene products. This initiative aims to remove barriers to education for girls by fostering an environment where they can attend school comfortably and confidently during their menstrual cycle. It is a step towards gender equality, making it clear that no girl should have to compromise her education due to natural biological processes.

At our next stop, we visited two schools in Narok North County: Ole Mugurr Primary school and Olchorro Secondary School. We facilitated discussions with students on a range of topics including quality education and leadership. At both schools, we launched the Young Green Pioneer’s project that will run for a year. We engaged with 257 students at Ole Mugurr Primary and 475 at Olchorro Secondary School. We’re looking forward to seeing positive student change as they promised to improve in their academics. 

Our week culminated in a visit to Egerton University where we engaged in the Funza Comrade Initiative. This event was a testament to the power of community and the shared vision of a better future for all youth. Here, we participated in fundraising activities, demonstrating the collective effort required to support and empower one another. It was a day filled with camaraderie, laughter, and the shared goal of raising funds to further our initiatives and support the needs of our community.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

We finished our week on Valentine’s Day with an act of generosity and love. Naitawang Youth Empowerment partnered with Narok Peace Association, to donate food to street families in Narok Town. It was the best way to show love for the homeless. The children were so happy and grateful. Some recipients said that they had not had a meal for two days, and they were so excited after we gave them food. 

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain

This week of service allowed us to give back to our communities. Our group is filled with gratitude for this opportunity. Thanks to Asante Africa’s programs, we had the knowledge and ability to plan this trip and to succeed in our goal to pay it forward to students in other communities. Some of the children we visited requested support with school fees and supplies to enable them to continue their education. We hope that our week raises awareness of the great need for youth in East Africa to receive support and encouragement from around the world.