Why Girls?
The Girl Effect is a movement. It’s about leveraging the unique potential of girls to end poverty for themselves, their families, their communities, their countries, and the world.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
130 Million
Girls between the ages of 6 and 17 are out of school, according to UNESCO.
9 of the top 10
Most difficult nations for girls to be educated are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
15 Million
Primary school-aged girls will likely never enter a classroom in their lifetime.
Behind these hard numbers are very real girls each with individual passions, talents, and goals that are seeking the support necessary to reach their full potential. KGSA is privileged to get to know these girls on a personal level to invest in their success. Current students like Hilda and alumnae Melgriffin and Zahra are a sample of the amazing young women at KGSA.
Hilda, Current Student
“I joined KGSA in January of 2020 after finishing my primary school in the upcountry. My parents did not have the money to pay for high school. I was scared that I would not be able to continue my studies. But then my aunt in Kibera told me about KGSA and I enrolled. Now I live with her and her family and attend high school at KGSA.
I am so happy at KGSA. I am learning things like computers that we don’t have in the upcountry. Biology is my favorite subject. It increases my knowledge in identifying the characteristics of living and non-living things. I want to become a doctor when I grow up and give back to the people living in Kibera. When I am not at school, I spend my time playing netball with friends, riding bicycles, or sometimes visiting the elderly.
My role model is my grandmother because she is strong and hardworking. The pandemic has been tough on me and my family. My aunt is a domestic worker outside of Kibera, but it isn’t steady work. I would like to tell the people who support the school that I am so grateful for their help.”
Melgriffin, Class of 2019
“I joined KGSA in 2016 after finishing primary school. I loved KGSA so much. The teachers were my role models. They raised me to be who I am today. I was so shy I couldn’t even participate in anything. But through their help, I found myself joining the journalism club where I was the scriptwriter and the editor. Slowly, I started airing news at the school assembly and this really built my courage.
KGSA was my everything. I really wish it could be my institution after high school. Through the help of my teachers, I performed well on my exams and qualified for university. I’m at Kenyatta University in Nairobi pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, gender and sociology in the School of Humanities and Social Science.“
Zahara, Class of 2020
“The pandemic occurred during my senior year at KGSA. It was difficult, but my classmates and I preservered. I graduated first in my class and won a full scholarship from Global Give Back Circle to pursue a Bachelor of Education from Maseno University.
My favorite thing about KGSA is that it feels like home. We are one big family that supports each other. I enjoy coming back to KGSA to mentor the younger girls. My dream is to teach at KGSA one day like my role model Madame Dalifa who graduated from KGSA and now teaches math and science at the school.“
Alumnae Honor Roll
The KGSA Foundation is proud to share a few of the many stories from our graduates and their accomplishments.
As a KGSA student, she won The Best CEO in Nairobi Award from Junior Achievement.
As a KGSA student, she won the courage category of the Girl's Voices challenge, an international video competition for girls around the world.
