At just 23 years old, John Macharia embodies the spirit of resilience, innovation, and leadership that defines World Youth Day. Raised by a single mother living with a disability, John’s early years were marked by hardship. Financial struggles often forced him to skip school to find casual work and help put food on the table. Yet, even in the face of adversity, John dared to dream.
That dream began to take shape in 2016 when Moja Tu stepped in. With their sponsorship, John was able to join high school after excelling in his KCPE exams. He continued to shine academically and eventually earned a spot at Maasai Mara University, where he is currently pursuing a degree in Criminology and Penology. His passion for justice is deeply personal, sparked by the tragic loss of a close friend to police brutality. “I want to stand for what is right and ensure accountability,” John says.
But John’s story doesn’t end there. During a long holiday break, he stumbled upon the world of coding—a field he never imagined himself in. What started as curiosity quickly grew into a passion. With no formal background, he taught himself HTML, CSS, and JavaScript using platforms like freeCodeCamp and Coursera. Support from Moja Tu helped him enroll at Rhema Institute, where he earned a certificate in web design.
Soon, John was not just learning—he was teaching others. He began training fellow Moja Tu students in coding, helping them build websites, create interactive quizzes, and explore blockchain technology. One student even built a website for a nonprofit organization. “Watching others grow because of something I taught them—that’s real success,” he says.
John’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. His first paid coding job came through a WhatsApp status update, and from there, more opportunities followed. Today, he develops websites, provides data analysis services, and tutors aspiring coders—all while supporting his younger siblings and contributing to his family’s well-being. With savings from his work, he and his sister even built a new iron-sheet house for their mother, replacing their old, leaky mud-walled home.
For John, coding is more than a skill—it’s a lifeline, a bridge to opportunity, and a tool for justice. He envisions merging his criminology background with technology to innovate in areas such as digital forensics, cybersecurity, and criminal justice reform.
As we celebrate World Youth Day, John’s journey reminds us that with opportunity, mentorship, and grit, young people can break barriers and build brighter futures—not just for themselves, but for their entire communities.