Updates from AMGP College Students
AMGP supports a number of our qualifying high school graduates with a portion of their college fees. We checked in with some of our current college students…
Nashaki Kenai
St Francis, Graduated 2022
“Education is a vital course for Maasai Girls.”
A very shy girl entering high school, Nashaki Kenai could not face standing in front of other students. By her second year, however, Nashaki’s confidence and engagement at school developed to the point that she was elected as a student leader. Graduating in 2022, Nashaki now attends Kenya Methodist University, pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences.
Becoming an Amazing Girl and attending high school transformed the trajectory of Nashaki’s life. “It would have been terrible had I stayed at home. I would be having four kids and I would be miserable”.
Looking forward, Nashaki plans to finish her degree and specialize in bacteriology.
“The biggest thing that makes me happy is I am about to realize my goal of becoming a medical laboratory scientist, which has always been my dream since I was young. Thanks to my education, I have come to believe that I can make it and be a better person tomorrow.”
Nashaki shared that she would also like to get back to her community in Laikipia to offer mentorship programs to her fellow girls. “I lack words to express my gratitude. Those who supported me are the ones who have given my life formula and shape. I wish to offer what I can to my younger sisters in return.”
Kaiyoni Juliet
St Francis, Graduated 2022
“Hard work truly pays off.”
Despite coming from an extremely disadvantaged home, Kaiyoni Juliet was always a happy child and incredibly self driven. Upon beginning high school, she felt like the “luckiest girl alive” and had only one goal: to study and achieve her dream of joining college.
After graduating high school in 2022, Kaiyoni took a certificate course on computer packages. Her plan beyond college is to find a job and give back to society.
“Education is an essential tool for Maasai Girls. For decades we have been deprived and sidelined, making us vulnerable and victims of any situation that befalls us. We’re able to begin changing this because we have an education”
Kaiyoni believes that being an Amazing Girl taught her that hard work truly pays off. Without her scholarship, “I would not be living a life to celebrate.”
Jennifer Rana
St Francis, Graduated 2021
“I never fold when things get tough.”
Jennifer Rana is one of our 2021 graduates. When she began St Francis Secondary School in 2018, she was extremely shy, as so many of our Form 1 students are at the ages of 12 or 13. Gradually, she adapted to life at boarding school and grew much more confident.
Jennifer is now studying for her Bachelors of Science in Health Records and Information management at Chuka University. Having always done well in biology at school, Jennifer chose to pursue her studies in the medical field.
“Starting college was a joyful moment for me! I was so happy to make one more step towards my ambitious journey. I am very determined to never give up till I make my dreams come true.”
Jennifer describes herself as very driven yet adaptable, authentic, honest and courageous. "I never fold when things get tough."
According to Jennifer, education is important because it “catapults girls into a brighter future, creating empowered women capable of changing their own lives and that of the community as a whole.”
Maria Nabari Yinyaga
St Francis, Graduated 2022
“Education helps Maasai Girls learn how to be independent.”
Maria is another of our most ambitious Amazing Girls! Since she was a high school student, she has dreamed of changing her life and that of her family and community.
Describing herself when she began as a student at St Francis Secondary School Maria says, “I was a very innocent girl with a vision of being successful in my life through hard working in my education and whatever way possible.”
Upon graduating St Francis Secondary School in 2022, Maria has been studying a teaching course. Ultimately she would like to start a private school in her community and also be a part of the teaching staff.
“The units that I am pursuing in my teaching course keep me busy. I am eager to know more about them. I am happy due to the skills that I am acquiring from my course."
Maria believes the greatest value of education for Maasai girls is that it helps them learn how to be independent, to prosper in their careers, and to move on from negative traditional cultures.
”My life could have been in misery [without school] since the traditional culture would have forced me into marriage where the husband is the only decision maker in the family and the provider, so freedom to interact and even suggest any idea could be impossible.”
Thank you for being a pivotal part of these young women’s lives with your kind contributions to the Amazing Maasai Girls Project.
Please check back for more updates throughout the year!
News From Laikipia | October 2023
Get the latest from AMGP! Co-founders, Molly and Sarah, visit Kenya in September/October 2023.
For the first time since before the pandemic, we are delighted to bring you some updates directly from our trip out to Kenya!
AN ACTION-PACKED TRIP
It was an action-packed, inspiring, wonderful, motivating trip!
On the first day, Friday September 29th, 65 currently-sponsored students joined 7 of the scholarship alumni for an all-girls empowerment workshop. We played games, listened to the alumni talk about their lives as university students and gainfully employed individuals, and held breakout sessions where we tackled some important questions that these young women face.
The workshop also included guest speakers, including the four-time winner of the Chicago Marathon and world record-breaker, Catherine Ndereba. She was absolutely wonderful and blew everyone away!
On the second day, Saturday September 30th, we brought together the Amazing Girls Running Club, our Puma-funded running club which supports a total of 130 girls across three schools.
Every girl ran a 6km fun run (this was in fact, a very tough and hilly race!). What a sight to behold! 130 students and their teachers, running through Dol Dol village, the closest village to St Francis, where AMGP sends most students. They were all wearing pink T-shirts and it was just fantastic against the greys and browns of the rural landscape. A true statement for the world to see the march of the Amazing Girls!
Everyone left the event feeling motivated and with a greater connection to one another.
As an organization we especially happy to have engaged with our alumni and leaders of local grassroots women’s groups. This has been the first step in bringing local women into the operations and management of the charity - always the absolute goal.
About Amazing Maasai Girls Project
Amazing Maasai Girls Project creates education and running opportunities for smart, ambitious Maasai women in Kenya who lack the financial resources to attend school. The support they receive during their high school years can set these girls up for a future where they can pursue a college degree or vocational training and employment. Amazing Girls are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to refuse early marriage and motherhood; they may dare to look beyond their significant immediate constraints towards a better life for themselves, their families and wider community.
Snapshots from the AMGP Workshop & Fun Run, October 2023.
News From Laikipia | June 2023
A visit with the Amazing Girls at St Francis Girls Secondary School in June 2023. We asked some of our students to share their updates…
It’s halfway through 2023 and we’re so pleased to bring you some updates from Laikipia!
Amazing Maasai Girls Project creates education and running opportunities for smart, ambitious Maasai women in Kenya who lack the financial resources to attend school.
Our mission is to help our Amazing Girls thrive in both academics and athletics, so they may know the value and capabilities of their minds, bodies and voices. This can be life changing and even life saving especially given the challenges faced by young women from Maasai communities.
ACADEMICS
This month, Francis and Jackie Merinyi, part of our local team in Kenya, invited some of the 62 students who the AMGP currently sponsor to complete written interviews about themselves and their recent experiences at secondary school.
As you’ll see, we have some ambitious students! Many of the girls are aiming to become teachers, nurses and doctors, all of which are in demand in Laikipia, while we also have a future architect, lawyer and pharmacist.
"Comfortable and Free.”
- Mercy Nasiantoi, Form Four, on how she feels about being part of the AMGP Scholarship.
Note that each of the 62 girls who have four-year academic scholarships have their term-time boarding and school fees paid, while we do not typically cover uniforms, school supplies or personal effects. Covering these extra costs can be a challenge for some families, as you’ll see in the responses below. However, AMGP has found that retention rates are better maintained when the girls’ families and the wider community are also making financially contributions to their students’ success at school.
Below is a selection of the Student Progression Interviews, conducted by Francis Merinyi and Jackie Merinyi.
ATHLETICS
Meanwhile, the Amazing Girls Running Club continues to support 125 members across three secondary schools in Laikipia. We have been so proud of their progress, despite the many challenges the girls face! Four of our students have recently competed at the county level and they report progress in both their confidence and abilities to concentrate in their students.
Check the Amazing Girls Running Club page for more details from our Amazing Runners!
