For many young people, completing university depends on more than passing examinations. It also means finding a way to pay for education, managing competing responsibilities, and staying focused when the future feels uncertain. For students facing these challenges without reliable support, even reaching graduation can feel out of reach.
Rebecca has experienced what it takes to keep going when the path is not always easy. Last month, she graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, earning a Second-Class Upper Division. For her, the achievement represents years of hard work, the encouragement of people who believed in her, and a dream she has carried since secondary school. Now, she is preparing to begin her career as a teacher, hoping to one day help other children access the same opportunities she received.
The Support That Kept Her Moving Forward
Rebecca’s educational journey took shape at Graceland Girls Senior School, where Moja Tu and her sponsor, Chantel, supported her with school fees, learning materials, and transport. She also received additional tuition at Dream Children’s Home as she prepared for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.
That support helped Rebecca concentrate on her studies and work towards the next stage of her education. She earned a B-minus in KCSE, securing a place at the University of Nairobi to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
University brought a different set of challenges. Rebecca had to manage assignments, examinations, and teaching practice while navigating the financial demands of student life. At times, she questioned herself, but she remained committed to completing her degree. Her mentors, including Lisa Atia, provided guidance and encouragement during difficult periods.
“Sometimes, having the right guidance and support can make all the difference,” Rebecca reflects.
Moja Tu continued supporting her through upkeep and accommodation assistance, helping her meet essential needs while focusing on her studies. Mentorship also gave her people to turn to for advice or reassurance. These forms of support mattered because they helped Rebecca continue working towards her goal even when university life became demanding.
Her experience has shaped how she thinks about opportunity and the circumstances a child is born into. “Where you come from should never limit what you believe you can achieve,” she says.
Discovering a Calling in the Classroom
Rebecca’s decision to become a teacher began in secondary school. Her Biology teacher invited her to teach parts of his lessons through peer teaching, giving her an opportunity to explain concepts and help fellow students learn. She discovered that she enjoyed the experience, and it helped her see teaching as a profession she wanted to pursue.
That early experience stayed with her through university. Completing her degree has brought her closer to a career where she hopes to help students build their knowledge and confidence. She now hopes to secure a teaching position in English and Literature and begin building a stable future for herself and her family.
Graduation was especially meaningful because of what it meant to her mother. One moment Rebecca treasures is receiving a call from her mother, who told her she had heard Rebecca’s name announced during the graduation ceremony. Knowing how proud her mother was made the achievement even more special. The ceremony marked the completion of one chapter, but it also brought her closer to the work she hopes to do in the years ahead.
An Opportunity She Hopes to Pass On
Rebecca’s ambitions extend beyond finding a job and establishing herself professionally. Having seen the difference educational support can make, she hopes to offer similar opportunities to children who need them.
“I hope that one day, when I am financially stable, I will be able to sponsor one or two children and help them pursue their education, just as Moja Tu, through my sponsor Chantel, helped me pursue mine,” she says.
For now, her next step is to find a teaching position and put her training into practice. She has completed her degree, carries the experience of those who supported her, and has a clearer sense of the contribution she hopes to make.
Moja Tu celebrates Rebecca’s graduation and the work that brought her to this point. Her achievement reflects what becomes possible when young people have the resources, guidance and encouragement to continue their education. As Rebecca begins her career, she carries forward not only the qualification she has earned, but also the hope that one day she will help another child discover what is possible for them.