Mentor HER.
Educate HER.
Support HER.

Five years ago I was selected to join the Global Give Back Circle. To say that the Circle has changed my life is an understatement. It has given me the power to climb mountains and achieve things I never knew possible. I kept a journal, and one of my entries was a letter, which I named the “Letter from the Top of the Mountain;” it was to a great extent, hypothetical. At that time, I still wasn’t so sure that there would be a top of the mountain to get to, or that I would have the climbing power. It was a little hazy but I made the entry anyway. Fast forward and it is evident I am climbing all the mountains I can find. I am excited about the climbing. And the top is no longer an imaginary creation of the mind. I know what I want, I strive for the best and I am unapologetic about getting there.

My life has unfolded in a rather interesting manner. I grew up in Naivasha. My parents worked on a flower farm. I grew up seeing my mother work extra hours to get an extra few coins added to her wages. The relentless unending hard work and perseverance of a woman who knew she had a family to provide for. I know I have a purpose in life, which is to make her proud and happy of my achievements, as they also reflect on her own sacrifices. I remember the kind of jubilation I’d see in my parents whenever I’d memorize a verse in church; when I’d bag presents for academic excellence or conduct the choir. I knew of Starehe Girls’ even before the school opened its doors to the world, and to me. An alumna of Starehe Boys’ Centre had visited our primary school and mentioned that the girls’ school was about to be opened and that only the best-performing students would be admitted.

I worked very hard and managed to get an admission to Starehe Girls’ Centre, for my secondary education on full scholarship. One Thursday afternoon, when my father left me at the Starehe Girls’ Centre, I knew my options were wide open. I could amount to anything. It was a glorious moment. I applied myself to schoolwork, and a new door opened soon enough. I became part of the Global Give Back Circle (GGBC). I thank God for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful group of sisters that is the GGBC. I have met some of the most amazing people in this circle, from mentors, fellow scholars, coordinators and dreamers. It is an amazing support.

I was matched with my mentor, Antoinette Terrana from the United States, and with constant communication, we have developed a very close relationship. We have communicated via electronic mail since the inception of the mentorship. I have learnt a lot from Antoinette. She’s encouraged me to see beyond the dark patches and focus on the positives of life. She has given her time and finances to help me and other people. Most interesting is the way she has developed an understanding of me despite the difference in culture and upbringing. It is amazing that despite these differences, we still find a common ground. We’ve shared progress about my Give Back Commitment and have worked out solutions and mechanisms to upscale my impact. Antoinette has given me the push when I doubted myself. One such instance was with my pursuit for an education abroad. She’s continuously encouraged me to follow my passions and go further. I have strived to follow my passions and to be unwavering in pursuit of the things that matter to me.

I was awarded a Zawadi Africa Education Fund scholarship to study in the United States. I enrolled at Syracuse University in the Fall of 2016 and I’m now studying Economics and Computer Science. This is quite the highlight in my life. There’s just something very special about achieving such a goal, because I did not do this alone, I did it as part of a broader community that helped me overcome many shortcomings. I am living proof that everything is achievable. My Give Back Commitment is to enlighten adolescents of the many possibilities ahead of them. We want them to achieve better and amount to more.

As I embark on this new phase in my life, living abroad and away from only community I have known until now, I know that this is only one more mountain to climb, and I truly cannot wait to get to the top. I am conscious that I have not done this alone, and it is for this reason that I make sure to bring others along the way, to mentor others, and to Give Back so much that was given to me. A lot more is expected of me, not just by my community, but also by me. This is only the beginning!

Dear Linda,

I hope you are well. To say that I am okay would be an understatement. I am extremely exhilarated, and as I draft this thank you note, I must confess that I am in tears.

I remember with a lot of nostalgia the day the Starehe Girls’ Centre secretary read out my name as part of the new lot of beneficiaries under the Global Give Back Circle; it was quite a moment. That was back in the year 2008. As I look back eight years later, I can confidently say that that particular day set the pace for a future that becomes clearer by the day.

Through the Circle I have become a woman of substance and I bet the wave of change that you once dared to dream of shall see the light of day through us, the Alumni. I became more confident in myself and an affirmative decision maker. I also acquired numerous soft skills including public speaking. The lessons from the workshops we have served to make me a cut above the rest of my peers.

So, today, I did not intend to overemphasize what you know too well, but to start off by telling you that you can now call me Dr. Lavender Otom. I have successfully completed my five-year course and graduated on the 2nd December, 2016. The best part is that I was the Best Female Student in a class of 339 doctors, I also graduated as the best final year student in Pediatrics, Best Final Year Student in Medical Microbiology, and the best final year student in Pathology. The valedictorian medical school class of 2016!

I don’t know how it all happened, but I know the Global Give Back Circle played a big role. During my years in school, I never worried about upkeep, neither about school fees and whenever I needed a book or any other implement all I needed to do was get a quotation for the same.

As I go out to the world I hope that this is just the beginning of a great career. May the Lord Almighty bless you and may many more come to realize their dreams through the Circle. Thank you, thank you, thank you…..

Yours Faithfully,

Lavender

I was born in Ruiru and my parents came from Thika. After my parents passed away I was taken to Tereza Nuzzo Children`s Home in 2000, where I had the chance to attend a top primary school. The challenge was always how to pay the school fees, but I thank God my school fees were paid for by the owner of the home.

In 2006, I joined the Global Give Back Circle. At the time, I did not know what it was about, but I felt something good was coming. I can now state, with confidence, that my life has never been the same again. For me, it has really been a journey of transformation.

This journey began in high school with my mentor, Catherine Griffin, from the USA. When I think back, I first remember vividly the difficulties I had in writing letters to her. Fortunately, I was soon able to improve on my writing skills. Along the way, I also received workshop traininghree times a year, including reproductive health and financial literacy. Through the guidance of our instructors and facilitators, I started developing confidence, slowly improving my communication skills and learning to think bigger and better.

I began using these skills to communicate with my mentor, Catherine, who has always been there for me, encouraging me in many ways. We have a very strong and lovely relationship, which I describe simply as ‘awesome.’ She is such an amazing woman in my life! We communicate several times a month and truly share a lot with one another.

I was so grateful the day KCDF, the implementation organization of the Global Give Back Circle in Kenya, told me that I would receive a scholarship from the MasterCard Foundation and Microsoft, to a 9-month ICT Lab, where my peers and I received ICT skills and invaluable life-skills. This helped me master the Microsoft applications and get my Microsoft Certifications. I also improved my communication skills, and learned how to repair computers. It also brought us together as a community of girls, to learn from one another, as we lived as “sisters” together in an adjacent dormitory.

The biggest blessing throughout this time was being told that upon graduation from the ICT Lab, I would also have a sponsor for college. It was the happiest day of my life!

This is how my new family became a part of my life…the Tierney family, an amazing family from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the USA. They made the decision to sponsor my college education. I am so grateful!  As a family, they communicate with me each month. Maureen specifically has been like a mother to me. We are having the best relationship, sharing a lot and writing to each other several times a month. I am blessed with two mentors in my life, Catherine and Maureen.

When I look back at my journey, being part of the Circle truly transformed my life. Everything the program provided has been useful in my transformation, whether the workshops I attended, the mentorship I received, or the IT skills I acquired.

I am now studying for my Bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance Option) after having completed a diploma in Business Management section II of the CPA exam.

Today, I strongly believe I am amongst the leaders of tomorrow. As I receive, I shall also give. This is the greatest opportunity we have and we are so very proud of being able to give back so much of what we have been given.

As a way of giving back, and of my appreciation, I have committed my time to mentor girls at the orphanage where I grew up.  I walked in their shoes when I was their age. I know what they are feeling and the kind of love and encouragement they need.

I am also grateful to be working as an Intern and Product Advisor at the Bank of Africa. This has been an incredible opportunity, which has enabled me to gain an immense amount of experience.  I love my job and my co-workers.

I would like to give my greatest appreciation to my mentors, Catherine and Maureen. Thank you for supporting me. I believe through your support, I am moving far; through your leadership, I am moving from beneficiary toward becoming a benefactor of tomorrow.

– Ann