Orphaned, Impoverished, and at Risk of Exclusion
Catherine's ambition was shadowed by profound adversity. Orphaned and raised in the Kibera slums, her situation epitomized the systemic challenges facing Kenya's most vulnerable youth. The loss of her mother, the sole breadwinner, coincided with her transition to secondary school, a pivotal point where a lack of funds often leads to dropout. This placed her in a cohort of Kenyan youth where poverty and financial constraints are primary drivers for the estimated 1.3 million children engaged in child labour (UNICEF, 2022) and high secondary school dropout rates. Without intervention, her potential was virtually impossible to realize.
A Future Entrepreneur and Leader
Catherine’s triumph is a victory for the Kibera community. Her determination, known throughout her community, made her a strong candidate for transformational support. By aspiring to graduate from Chuka University, she is setting a powerful precedent, proving that children from informal settlements, even those orphaned, can not only access but excel in higher education. Her success will multiply, creating an educated leader prepared to uplift her community and drive local economic development.
What Hope Beyond Initiative (HBI) Did: Holistic Empowerment
The partnership between Hope Beyond Initiative (HBI) and Gulf African Bank provided a multi-layered intervention that ensured Catherine's success:
· Educational Scholarship: She received a scholarship to secure her place in secondary school and then transition to Chuka University. This direct financial aid removed the initial, devastating barrier to education.
· Economic Empowerment (The HBI Edge): Recognizing that tuition is only one part of the challenge, HBI provided ongoing support to start a second-hand clothes business. This initiative ensured she had a source of income for her essential needs while studying. This holistic approach allowed Catherine to focus on her studies and excel without the constant pressure of survival.
The Value of Comprehensive Support
The sustained impact of HBI's holistic model is affirmed by the beneficiaries and donors, embodying a commitment that goes beyond mere funding:
|
Stakeholder |
Confession (Affirmation of HBI/GAB's Values) |
Value Affirmed |
|
Donor (Gulf African Bank) |
The scholarship and empowerment model enabled Catherine to transition from being an orphan to a university student. Gulf African Bank’s support aligns with its commitment to enhancing the well-being of the community (GAB Mission Statement). |
Holistic Support, Integrity, Community Wellbeing |
|
Local Authority (Reflective) |
[A representative would affirm]: "HBI's continued support, enabling Catherine to start a business, addresses the full economic needs of the student, ensuring she stays in school and contributes to the local economy." |
Economic Resilience, Sustainable Empowerment |
|
Community (Catherine's Triumph) |
"Today, Catherine stands on the brink of a bright future, ready to make a positive impact on the world. She is looking forward to graduating from Chuka University." |
Dignity, Future Leadership, Inspiration |
Investing in Sustainable Economic Independence
Catherine is on the verge of graduating, ready to transition from her current entrepreneurial venture to a professional career. This trajectory is a testament to the power of targeted support.
Through partnerships like this, HBI seeks to establish self-sustaining pathways out of poverty. We expect that by integrating economic empowerment alongside academic support, the program will achieve a vulnerability reduction (dependency on aid) of >50% within three years of a beneficiary's graduation. Catherine's success demonstrates that we are investing in not just a graduate but a future employer and investor in the Kenyan economy, building a generation of youth who are equipped to thrive.
Your generous donation helps ensure that more resilient young people like Catherine can graduate, lead, and build a brighter, more equitable future for Kenya's youth. See how else you can support a student in Kenya here.