Some stories are not just about success. They are about continuity. About how one act of kindness can travel through time and transform not just one life, but many others along the way. David Gitau’s journey is one of those stories.
His connection to Moja Tu did not begin in a typical way. It began with a wish. While caring for a close friend, the late Franklin, David was left with words that would quietly shape his future. Franklin expressed his hope that Moja Tu would one day support David’s tertiary education. At the time, David had just completed high school, with no clear path forward. That wish, simple as it sounded, became the bridge between uncertainty and opportunity.
Before officially joining the program, David had already encountered Moja Tu in small but meaningful ways. During his high school years, he attended holiday tuition sessions organized by the program. Those moments planted something in him. A desire. A sense that this was a space he wanted to belong to. Raised in Dream Children’s Home, opportunities like these were not just helpful; they were life-changing.
When he finally joined Moja Tu as he transitioned into university, everything began to shift. Campus life, which can be overwhelming for many, became manageable and purposeful for David. Beyond financial support, Moja Tu gave him something deeper: responsibility and growth. Serving as a team lead during his time in the program, he learned how to lead people, make decisions, and serve others. These were not just roles. They were training grounds for the man he would later become.
One of the most defining moments of his journey came in an unexpected way. Because Moja Tu made it possible for him to stay in school, David was able to join a softball team at university. That decision led him to represent Kenya in South Africa during the U24 Softball World Cup qualifiers. It is a moment he still holds close, a reminder that opportunity, when given, can open doors far beyond what we imagine.
“But for me, that moment showed me what is possible when someone believes in you,” David reflects.
But behind every journey, there are people who shape it. For David, one such person was Moja Tu’s Director of Finance, Esther Kitheka. More than just a friend, she was a guide and a source of inspiration. Through her, he learned the importance of going above and beyond, especially as a leader. That lesson stayed with him. Moja Tu did not just support David’s education. It shaped his character. It refined his leadership. It deepened his understanding of service. Watching how the organization poured into others made him internalize a simple but powerful value: when you are lifted, you lift others too.
“I learned that leadership is not about position, but about how you show up for others,” he says.
After completing his studies, the transition into the job market was not immediate. Like many graduates, David faced the uncertainty of waiting. But he remained clear about what he wanted. He persisted, stayed patient, and trusted the process. Today, David works as a Program Manager in a German non-profit organization that supports students from Dream Children’s Home; the very place that raised him. In many ways, his life has come full circle. His work is deeply personal. He is not just managing programs. He is guiding lives. Through monthly check-ins, personal mentorship, and ensuring students have school fees and upkeep, he walks closely with each student under his care. But beyond the structure of his role, what truly stands out is the impact.
He has seen students step out of their comfort zones, joining sports, taking up leadership roles, starting small businesses, and exploring life beyond academics. He has also instilled values like discipline and punctuality, knowing how critical they are in shaping future professionals. And perhaps that is where his impact is most powerful, not just in what he provides, but in what he builds within others.
David leads the way he was once led. He serves the way he was once served. Inspired by the example set by Kathy and Michael, he strives to go above and beyond for his students, always looking for new and better ways to help them grow. His leadership is not about authority. It is about understanding, empathy, and intentional action.
When asked what message he would share with current Moja Tu students, his response is both simple and profound: “Self-awareness is the foundation of success. Understanding who you are helps you discover your purpose, and once you find it, you must pursue it with persistence.”
Looking back, David says he is most proud of the person he has become, not just the achievements, but the growth, the mindset, and the willingness to keep evolving. And what keeps him going is the memory of what it felt like to be supported.
“That feeling never leaves you. It makes you want to help someone else rise,” he shares.
His vision for the future is clear. He wants to change the narrative. To prove that coming from a difficult background does not define your destiny. That it is possible to build something meaningful from nothing, and in doing so, inspire others to do the same.