In the classroom, Gender and Development Studies taught me to look at society with a critical, compassionate lens. The modules were rich and sometimes challenging: theories of gender, feminist thought, development policy, gender-based violence, human rights, and community development practice. I learned to interrogate structures of power and to understand how gender intersects with class, ethnicity, age, and disability. My lecturers were rigorous; they pushed us to question assumptions, test evidence, and connect theory to lived realities. Seminar discussions were often heated, in the best possible way, because we were learning to speak truth to power, to name injustices, and to imagine alternatives.

Beyond lectures, my academic life included research assignments and fieldwork that brought me closer to the lives of women and men in different communities. One project required me to spend time in a peri-urban settlement documenting women’s experiences with informal entrepreneurship. I listened to stories of incredible ingenuity: women who ran small businesses from single rooms, who juggled domestic responsibilities with market stalls, and who formed community savings groups to cope with economic hardship. Those encounters were humbling. They reminded me that policies and development projects are not about abstract numbers, they are about people’s daily struggles and aspirations.

Co-curricular activities became an essential part of my university experience and personal growth. I joined the Gender Club, where students organized workshops, theatre performances, and awareness campaigns on campus. We held dialogues on sexual harassment, ran peer counselling sessions, and partnered with local community based organizations to run community outreach programmes. These activities sharpened my leadership and communication skills. I learned how to plan events, mobilise volunteers, manage small budgets, and evaluate impact. We used creative methods, drama, spoken word, and visual art to engage audiences and make complex issues accessible.

I also engaged in debate and student governance. Running for a position on a student committee taught me negotiation and representation. There were times I felt intimidated, but those moments forced me to speak up and advocate for issues I believed in: safer learning environments for women, more inclusive campus policies, and accessible support services for vulnerable students. Each success and setback on campus prepared me for the realities of fieldwork and community engagement.

Technology, which had once seemed inaccessible to me, became a vital tool. Thanks to Debbie’s support, I was able to buy a laptop, and that changed how I studied and worked. With a computer, I could research, draft essays, and produce presentations that reflected the rigorous standards my lecturers expected. A simple device opened the world of academic journals, online discussions, and collaborative platforms. It also taught me digital literacy skills that would be crucial for my future career in development and gender work.

As I moved through the program, I felt my identity as a gender advocate taking shape. The curriculum emphasized not just understanding gender inequalities but also designing practical interventions. I was drawn to community-based approaches that centre women’s voices and leadership. I interned with a local NGO working on women’s economic empowerment, where I supported training sessions on business skills and financial literacy. This experience taught me the importance of participatory methods: programmes work best when communities define their priorities and lead the solutions.

Throughout this journey, mentors and peers were essential. Lecturers offered academic guidance; student leaders provided friendship and a platform for action; community members welcomed me into their lives and entrusted me with their stories. Each relationship taught me humility and responsibility. I learned that being a gender expert is not about having all the answers, but about listening deeply, learning continuously, and collaborating respectfully with those whose lives are affected by inequality.

The transition from university to professional life was both exciting and daunting. Armed with knowledge, field experience, and practical skills, I stepped into roles that allowed me to support community projects, run training workshops, and contribute to policy dialogues. I worked with local organisations on gender mainstreaming initiatives, helped design monitoring tools for women’s programmes, and supported advocacy campaigns on sexual and reproductive health rights. Over time, my voice was sought in meetings and workshops; people began to recognize the perspectives I brought, rooted in community experience and academic insight.

Looking back, the support I received from Jeremiah and Debbie was transformative. It did more than pay university fees; it unlocked opportunities and allowed me to grow into someone who could contribute meaningfully to social change. Their belief in me reinforced my own belief that where you begin does not determine where you will end. My background taught me empathy and determination; my education gave me the tools to turn those qualities into effective action.

Today, as a gender practitioner, I remain committed to working at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. My aim is to design interventions that are evidence-based and community-driven. I continue to mentor young women from similar backgrounds, offering guidance on scholarship applications, CV writing, and navigating university life. I encourage them to join co-curricular activities, to volunteer, and to seize every opportunity to develop practical skills.

My journey has taught me that meaningful change requires more than individual success; it requires systems that create opportunities for many. I will always be grateful for the kindness and support that opened doors for me. In turn, I am determined to open doors for others, to contribute to a Kenya where every young woman, regardless of background, has the chance to dream, study, and make a difference.

This is my story: a story of struggle and support, of learning and leadership, and of a deepening commitment to gender equality. It is proof that a humble beginning need not be the end of the story, and that with education, mentorship, and perseverance, one can move from simply surviving to actively shaping a fairer future for all.