My Path to Education and Hope, KENYA
Briteny Pendo
My name is Briteny Pendo. I’m 17 years old, and I come from a small town called Kiawara, nestled in the hills of Nyeri County, Kenya. I am the third born in a family of four children, raised by the strongest woman I know—my mother, Julia Mweru. When I was just five years old, my parents separated. From that moment on, my mother became both mother and father to us.
Life was never easy. My mother worked hard to provide for us, but no matter how much she tried, the financial struggles always loomed large. Despite this, she never gave up on us. Her determination to keep us in school, even when everything seemed impossible, became the foundation of my own strength.
I began my education at Kiahuko Primary School. It was there that I first discovered the joy of learning. When I finished primary school, I was accepted into Mucharage Girls High School in Othaya. I was overjoyed—but that joy didn’t last. My mother simply couldn’t afford the school fees. The burden was too heavy, and I was forced to leave.
That’s when I transferred to St. LaSalle School in Karemeno. The journey there wasn’t smooth either. We couldn’t afford the basic necessities: school fees, personal hygiene supplies, or even transportation. As a day scholar, I had to walk long distances, often without enough to eat or wear. Still, my mother refused to give up. She borrowed money from friends, took out loans from banks—even when she knew she wouldn’t be able to pay them back. In a heartbreaking act of love, my elder sister dropped out of school so my younger siblings and I could continue our education. Her sacrifice is something I will never forget.
And then—just when things felt darkest—light broke through. When I joined St. LaSalle, I was awarded a scholarship by the African Adolescent Girl Fund (AGF). That moment changed everything.
AGF didn’t just pay for my school fees. They saw me. They lifted the heavy weight that had been pressing down on my family and gave me the dignity of essentials like sanitary pads and school supplies. With AGF’s support, I could finally focus on my studies without the constant fear of being sent home. But more than that, AGF gave me something I hadn’t had in a long time—hope.
Through AGF, I’ve been inspired to dream again. I want to become a journalist, to tell stories that matter and give a voice to girls like me. I now believe in my future. I believe that with hard work, faith, and support, I can break the cycle and build something better—not just for me, but for my family, my community, and the girls who come after me.
To the people behind AGF: thank you. Thank you for believing in us, for standing with girls who have been told “no” too many times, and for reminding us that our dreams are valid. May God bless you abundantly for the light you bring into our lives.