In 2009, Gslaider joined our program after years of her parents’ uncertainty over whether she would ever get the chance to go to school; trapped in a cycle of poverty like so many others. Joining the program was a source of hope not only for Gslaider but for the entire family. Fueled by this hope, Gslaider embarked on her educational journey. After graduating high school, she pursued a diploma in Social Work and Community Development, driven by a deep desire to help others. She completed her degree last November and graduated recently. It was not just an academic pursuit for her; it was a heartfelt mission to enhance human well-being and make a tangible difference in her community.
Her commitment to social work was evident as she engaged in various volunteer activities during her college years. She joined the Rotary Club of Mount Kenya, where she actively participated in fieldwork and volunteered at children’s homes and rehabilitation centers. She interned with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), which provided her with invaluable insights and deepened her understanding of the struggles faced by individuals with disabilities.
Currently, she works as a waiter and cashier in a restaurant as she looks for employment in her field. This job is enabling her to support herself and her siblings, something she never thought she would be able to do. Her mom is proud of her, and she is hopeful that her determination and success will serve as an example to other girls in the community, showing them that it is possible to break free from the vicious cycle of poverty. Her journey has been profoundly impacted by our program, allowing her transformation from a hopeless girl into an elite achiever.