At sunrise in the dry, sunbaked plains of Turkana, 13-year-old Amina tied her worn-out sandals and walked five kilometers to school—not because she had to, but because she wanted to break the cycle of poverty for her family.
With a small book bag slung over her shoulder and a hopeful glint in her eyes, Amina weaved through thorny paths and dusty roads. Every step told a story—of struggle, determination, and the hunger for opportunity. Her mother, a single parent and small-scale charcoal seller, couldn’t afford three meals a day, but she never let Amina miss school.
“Education is the only inheritance I can give her,” she once said, her voice both proud and tired.
A Community of Barriers
Amina’s story is not unique in Turkana. Many children, especially girls, face enormous challenges in accessing education: long distances to school, lack of sanitary facilities, cultural expectations, early marriages, and the burden of household chores. In drought-stricken regions like this, survival often takes precedence over schooling.
Teachers are few. Classrooms are overcrowded or temporary. Sometimes, schools shut down for weeks due to food shortages or lack of clean water. And yet, every morning, children like Amina show up—ready to learn.
Enter WERK: Breaking Barriers, One Step at a Time
It was during a school visit by Women Educational Researchers of Kenya (WERK) that Amina’s life began to change. The organization, through its Education in Marginalized Communities initiative, had come to assess the school’s needs and understand the students’ experiences.
They didn’t just see a classroom—they saw resilience.
Soon after, WERK began working closely with school leaders and community elders to support education access. Through the provision of solar-powered digital learning kits, menstrual hygiene supplies, and teacher training, schools started becoming safer and more inclusive. More girls returned. Attendance improved.
“They didn’t just give us things—they listened to us,” said Amina’s headteacher. “They respected our voices.”
Amina Today
Two years later, Amina is still walking to school. Her sandals are new, donated by a local partner. She now mentors younger girls on the importance of staying in school and dreams of becoming a nurse.
“When I become a nurse, I will come back to help my community,” she says, eyes gleaming. “WERK believed in me. Now I believe in myself.”
Why This Story Matters
Amina’s journey reminds us that education is not just about books and classrooms—it’s about creating hope. It’s about breaking generational poverty and giving children the tools to shape their futures.
But there are still many Aminas out there—walking long distances, battling the odds, dreaming quietly.
At WERK, we are committed to making sure their dreams are not in vain. Because every child deserves a chance. And sometimes, all it takes is someone to walk beside them.
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