Supporting talented Kenyan girls through secondary national boarding school education with funding, mentoring & attention.
Waste No Talent Kenya supports talented girls from Kenya through the six years of secondary national boarding school education with funding, mentoring and attention. Avoiding talented girls in the age between 12 and 18 years from dropping out in these pivotal years of school. And ensuring they graduate national secondary education – offering them the opportunity to get into college, professional education or university.
Because no talent should go to waste – we support talented girls in Kenya through secondary national boarding school.
Waste No Talent Kenya funds a total of €6000 for 1 talented girl to successfully participate and finish the full six years of her secondary national boarding school education.
Waste No Talent Kenya ensures each girl is supported through an on-the-ground mentoring programme by local partners from our personal network in Kenya.
Waste No Talent Kenya follows and stimulates each girl with an individual mentor contract to see each girl through the full six year period of secondary boarding school education.
The originating story of the Waste No Talent Kenya foundation, can be found in Maureen Andwati. Maureen, a valued member of our board, was born into a family of four, with her parents and younger brother. The connection between Maureen and Hans was established when her mother started working for Hans’ family in the late 80s. Fueled by a passion for education, Hans and his wife decided to cover the educational expenses of both Maureen and her brother.
At the time, Maureen was attending primary school in her Nairobi neighborhood, where she displayed exceptional academic capabilities. She excelled in her final primary school examination, earning admission to Pagani Girls High School, one of Kenya’s leading national secondary school institutions. Being a boarding school, the fees for such quality education were beyond the means of Maureen’s family. Without the financial support provided, her access to this level of education would have remained impossible.
After graduation, Maureen pursued higher education at Nairobi University, earning a bachelor’s degree with distinction. Her educational journey continued at Webster University in the Netherlands, where she specialized in NGO management.
Maureen’s incredible talent was given an opportunity, and through unwavering determination and dedication to her studies she carved out an impressive academic career. She was the first member of her family to obtain a university degree and embarked on a social trajectory that would have seemed unimaginable without the financial support she received.
It all started with Maureen. Now let us work together with Maureen and Hans to ensure many more talented girls can follow in her footsteps.
Avoiding talented girls in the age between 12 and 18 years from dropping out in these pivotal years of education. And ensuring they graduate national secondary school – offering them the opportunity to get into college, professional education or university.
National Secondary Schools in Kenya are unattainable for many Kenyan families because of the costs involved. Six years of boarding school require an investment of 150.000 Kenya shilling. Per child. Per year. Including school uniform, learning materials and other costs, the total funding for 6 years of national secondary boarding school equals 6000 euros. Too much for far too many Kenyan girls – especially from poor rural areas.
Waste No Talent Kenya funds this amount of €6000 for 1 girl to successfully participate and graduate from her secondary education.
Money is important. But local mentoring – with the help from our local Partners – is key. Offering mentorship from fellow older students, learning experiences and local network connections during the six years of education. And beyond. In addition to the education curriculum each girl receives. Ensuring we encourage her to develop individual qualities and interests in order to graduate successfully. Ready for the next phase in her life – making it into college or university.
Waste No Talent Kenya ensures each girl is supported through a mentoring programme by local partners from our personal network in Kenya.
Support is what everyone needs. Attention is what makes anyone flourish. In addition to the support programme from our network, we offer an individual coach – local or international, depending on each individual girl’s interest. Supported with our coaching methodology, we focus on nourishing individual qualities. And see early warning signs of dropping out or concerns for individual safety or well-being.
Waste No Talent Kenya follows and stimulates each talented girl with an individual coach contract to see each girl through the six year period of secondary national boarding school education.
“A 6-year scholarship gives peace of mind to a girl in secondary boarding school. No fear of missing terms because her family cannot afford to pay the school fee. No risk of dropping out. But full focus on completing their secondary national boarding school education.”
The Pivotal Period journey and how we support
Kenya's education landscape is currently undergoing a profound transformation. For many years, it adhered to the 8-4-4 educational model, comprising eight years of primary school, followed by four years of secondary school, and finally, four years of college or university for those pursuing higher education. The newly implemented competence-based curriculum system adopts a 2-6-6-3 structure, encompassing two years of pre-primary, six years of primary school, six years of secondary school, and three years of college or university. Notably, the secondary school phase is further divided into three years of lower secondary and three years of upper secondary education.
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Upon completing primary education, all students partake in the KCPE (Kenyan Certificate Primary Education) examination. High-performing KCPE candidates are granted the opportunity to continue their educational journey at National Secondary schools. These institutions, characterized by boarding facilities, are dedicated to preparing their students for higher education and apprenticeships, nurturing them into well-rounded, knowledgeable scholars, and skilled professionals.
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It is during the secondary school years that a significant number of girls, already admitted to national schools, unfortunately discontinue their education. The primary deterrent often lies in the financial impacts of secondary education, making it unattainable for many. Additionally, some girls are compelled to withdraw from secondary school to assist with household responsibilities. Moreover, in cases where parents can only afford to send some of their children to national secondary schools, a prevailing bias often favors boys over girls.
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Waste No Talent Kenya places a specific emphasis on the critical period of secondary education, recognizing it as the pivotal juncture where girls are most vulnerable to dropping out. These years are not just academically formative but also represent a crucial phase for personal growth and talent development within a secure and stimulating environment. Our fervent belief is that when given the opportunity to pursue education in the right setting, these talented girls will unlock their potential and subsequently contribute significantly to the betterment of their communities.
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Who benefits?
Learn more about the girls who receive funding, mentoring and attention from Waste No Talent Kenya.
Joyce Isucha, the eldest of three siblings, is a 14-year-old girl born in Vihiga County, a rural community in western Kenya. She and her siblings are being cared for by their grandmother, who earns her livelihood as a small-scale farmer.
Joyce academic excellence shone through when she achieved an outstanding score of 381 on her KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. This remarkable achievement secured her admission to Bunyore Girls, a national school located in Emuhaya. Nevertheless, the fluctuating income of a farmer made it difficult for Joyce and her grandmother to consistently cover the expenses of her education. Consequently, Joyce could only join Bunyore Girls at the end of the first term, just one week before the final exams. Remarkably, even though she missed all class lectures Joyce managed to obtain a B- grade, underscoring her exceptional academic capabilities. To help pay for tuition fees, Joyce to the initiative to start her own business, crafting and selling pencil cases to help generate income. However, without any financial support, Joyce would be forced to drop out of school.
With the help from Waste No Talent Kenya, Joyce can now pursue her secondary education without the constant burden of worrying about school fees. She will be mentored to further develop her academic and entrepreneurial skills and hopefully, one day, can achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer.
Meet Beverly Gloria
Beverly Gloria, a bright 14-year-old and the eldest of three children, she lives in a household where both parents are currently unemployed. Despite these challenges, she excelled in her KCPE examination, scoring an impressive 371 marks. This achievement earned her a place at Moi Girls Vokoli, a prestigious extra-county boarding school in Sabatia town.
However, without financial support, attending a boarding school was beyond reach for Beverly’s family. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, Beverly now has the opportunity to pursue her education and follow her dreams.
Beverly aspires to become a journalist—a voice for the voiceless in her community. Her daily motivation comes from her parents' struggle, fueling her belief that poverty is not an obstacle but a stepping stone to success. With hard work and determination, she is set to shape a brighter future for herself and her family.
Meet Janefer
Janefer, a talented 13-year-old and the third of five siblings, comes from a family facing significant financial challenges. Her parents are unemployed, and her mother supports the family by selling ripe bananas.
Janefer's determination to succeed shone through when she scored an impressive 378 on her KCPE examination, securing a spot at Moi Girls Vokoli. However, advancing to high school came with its own obstacles, as her parents still had outstanding school fees from her primary school days.
Thanks to the support from Waste No Talent Kenya, Janefer is now thriving in her studies. She currently ranks 1st in her class for biology and computer studies and 2nd in business studies, as well as history and government.
Janefer is hopeful and driven to excel in her education, aspiring to change the lives of her family and community. We look forward to witnessing her reach her full potential and fulfill her dream of becoming a lecturer
Meet Marie
Marie, a determined 13-year-old, lives with her mother in a home without electricity, making studying a daily challenge. Despite these difficulties, she achieved an exceptional score of 393 on her KCPE examination, earning a well-deserved place at Bunyore Girls, a national boarding school in Emuhaya, Vihiga County.
Her mother runs a small-scale business to meet the family's basic needs. Marie’s outstanding KCPE results reflect her resilience and hard work, as she aims to break her family's cycle of poverty. With a vision to "break the narrative that women cannot" in her community, Vanessa aspires to become a lawyer.
Thanks to the support from Waste No Talent Kenya, Marie now has the opportunity to pursue her dreams and inspire change for her family and community.
Waste No Talent Kenya
Why focus on girls? And why focus on talented girls in particular? Waste No Talent Kenya is happy to answer these and any other questions.
Girls who receive an education are less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. They earn higher incomes, participate in the decisions that most affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families. Girls’ education strengthens economies and reduces inequality. It contributes to more stable, resilient societies that give all individuals – including boys and men – the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
All girls who are among the top-5% of their region (receiving 350 points or higher for their KCPE examination) at the end of Primary School are eligible to attend the National Secondary Schools: boarding schools across Kenya that prepare talented girls and boys for National Colleges and Universities. Sending children to boarding school is too expensive for most families in Kenya. Pressure is particularly high on Kenyan girls – as they experience expectations to return to their families to contribute to the care of siblings, family, communities and work in and around the house.
Waste No Talent Kenya recognises the reality these highly talented girls are confronted with.
We provide the funds, the support and the attention to ensure talented Kenyan girls in the age between 12 and 17 years make their way through 6 years of National Secondary School Education.
It’s not just a girl or woman’s immediate family that benefits from her quality education. Studies have shown that, when 10% more girls in a given country attend school, that country’s gross domestic product increases by an average of 3% — which can make a huge difference in a developing economy.
This is where we start our initiative. Kenya has been the home of some of our founders for a long period of time. At this time – Maureen, a young Kenyan girl, came into the life of one of our founders. Maureen was supported through funds, mentoring and attention through secondary education, into university. Her talent was recognized, developed and stimulated during those years. She is now an active, international professional with strong connections to the Kenya community.
What once was made available to Maureen – we now intend to offer to other talented girls from Kenya.
Our journey starts in Kenya. It may take us to other communities too. But Kenya is where our focus lies.
Progress Report: Waste No Talent Kenya – November 2024
Mission and Priorities
Waste No Talent Kenya (www.wastenotalentkenya.org) is dedicated to empowering young, talented girls by providing them with the necessary resources to pursue secondary education. Our mission is to ensure that these girls, who show exceptional promise, have the opportunity to develop their skills and talents in a supportive environment. We focus on young girls because we believe that investing in their education not only transforms their lives but also positively impacts their families and communities.
Scholarships and Adjustments
In 2024, with the generous support of our sponsors, we have been able to offer full scholarships to seven talented girls for their six-year secondary education. These girls have been adjusting well to their new boarding school environments, focusing on social activities, personal development, and making new friends. While some of their academic results were initially affected, they are now showing significant improvement in their schoolwork and classes.
Extracurricular Activities and Development
All seven girls have actively participated in extracurricular learning events provided by our partners, Amazing Grace and Inspire HER STEM. These programs have equipped them with essential life skills, self-confidence, health and well-being knowledge, and learning skills. Additionally, they have received specific training in science and technology, preparing them for both immediate and long-term challenges and opportunities.
Support for At-Risk Students
Together with our partners, we have identified three young talented girls who were at risk of dropping out of their national boarding school due to financial or social reasons. We have successfully secured their long-term education, ensuring they can complete their six-year secondary education. This effort aligns with our goal of preventing talented girls from leaving school prematurely.
Future Plans and Call for Support
Today we support a total of ten talented girls. Looking ahead to 2025, we are in the process of selecting a group of another ten young talented girls to start their secondary education. To continue our work, we need the support of sponsors and donors.
Each contribution of €6,000 will support one more talented girl through the full six years of her national boarding school secondary education, including extracurricular modules, attention, and mentoring. We appeal to sponsors who believe in our cause and the tangible impact we make on the lives of these young girls, their families, and their communities.
“One of the girls who returned from boarding school to her village in the poor Kavado region, explained to her villagers and the chief how the election system worked and how to correctly use the ballots. For the first time the villagers were able to vote for the leadership they wanted. Education does give back.”
Our goal is to give talented Kenyan girls their full 6-year secondary education – one-by-one. Do you support us?
Our commitments
Education, women and girls
Waste No Talent Kenya focuses on secondary education for talented young girls from Kenya. Here we provide you with some facts about girls, women and education that give you the context for our focus.
Girls and women can earn up to 20% more for each additional year of education. This can help to lift women and their families out of poverty. A woman tends to reinvest her earnings into her family and her children – so everyone benefits when a girl is educated.
What’s more, women invest up to 90% of their income back into their family, compared to the average 30–40% that men invest back into their households
When 10% more girls in a given country attend school, that country’s gross domestic product increases by an average of 3%
Children who complete their education eventually become parents who are more capable of providing quality care for their own children and who make better use of health and other social services available to them. Evidence indicates that when girls with at least a basic education reach adulthood, they are more likely to provide better care for their children and send them to school. Improving access to education is an essential building-block for increasing the number of trained health workers, particularly at the community level.
Women with six or fewer years of schooling are two to three times more likely to die during childbirth than women with 12 years of schooling.
Educated mothers are better informed of health and nutrition needs and of the importance of good‐quality care for their own children. While 24% of educated mothers are malnourished, among children of less educated mothers, the malnutrition rate is over 39%.
Empowering girls through good‐quality education enables them to have a positive impact on peace and stability in their societies; when women participate in a peace process, the likelihood of peace lasting 15 years increases by 35%.
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace is a community organization based in Vihiga County, committed to empowering Kenyan youth to lead healthy, productive, and independent lives.
InspireHER STEM
InspireHER STEM is dedicated to promoting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for young girls and woman in the rural regions of Vihiga County.
Prysmian (www.prysmian.com)
From the depths of the ocean to the pinnacles of the world’s tallest buildings, global cabling solution provider Prysmian drives new forms of energy and information to each and every corner of the earth.
Prysmian offers the widest range of services and know-how in the cabling industry. Each year, the Group manufactures thousands of miles of underground and submarine cables and systems for power transmission and distribution, as well as medium and low voltage cables for the construction and infrastructure sectors. Prysmian also produces a comprehensive range of optical fibres, copper cables and connectivity systems for voice, video and data transmission for the telecommunications sector.
Prysmian believes in the power of diversity. They began their diversity and inclusion efforts with so-called ‘Side by Side’ initiatives; Prysmian believed then – and even more so now – in the potential of people, with their values and stories, as a fundamental cornerstone of success. Being a more supportive and inclusive company also means becoming a higher performing one.
Prysmian is a strong endorser of STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math) initiatives for women. That is why Prysmian has decided to commit to sponsoring Waste No Talent Kenya for a longer period. STEM is, through our Partners, an integral part of the Waste No Talent Kenya mentoring and attention programme for young and talented Kenya girls - on top of the full 6-year secondary education at national boarding schools in Kenya.
We are proud to have Prysmian as our Sponsor.
BLACC Accountant en Adviseur (https://blacc.nl)
BLACC is the accountant for (medium) large and small companies, starting entrepreneurs and for private individuals. The permanent address in the Dune and Bulb Region (Duin- en Bollenstreek) for all questions in financial, administrative, tax and legal areas.
We thank BLACC Accountants for their support with the governance and reporting of Waste No Talent Kenya.
Waste No Talent Kenya is dedicated to maintaining complete transparency in our operations and programme reporting. Annually, our financial statements will undergo an audit conducted by an independent accountant to guarantee accountability.
Furthermore, we pledge to uphold the regulations and guidelines set forth by CBF, the governing body for Dutch foundations. We are actively in the process of pursuing their official quality mark to further validate our commitment.
In addition, we have successfully applied for the so-called ANBI status with the Dutch tax authorities, which provides our sponsors with tax benefits linked to their donations.
About us
The board of Waste No Talent Kenya consist of a diverse group of individuals, including both Dutch and Kenyan nationals. Each board member possesses a wealth of experience gained from their careers in government, health as well as public and private organizations.
They will share their expertise and time to guarantee that the foundation can provide support for an increasing number of talented girls as they navigate the pivotal period of national secondary education. We hold a strong conviction that talented girls should be given the opportunity to thrive, and we are committed to ensuring that “no talent goes to waste”.
The board does not receive any compensation for their time dedicated to the activities of the foundation. Board members have agreed to act in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the Dutch independent authority that oversees the workings of recognized nonprofit organizations.
For a full 6-year secondary national boarding school scholarship.
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Tell us why you want to enter your National Secondary School? And why you think Waste No Talent Kenya and you fit well together?
