May 17, 2025 Everest Hotel, Kisumu. This was our 20th conference – quite a milestone! In attendance were Catherine Kaimenyi, Monicah Nyambura, Deb Gust, Noah Kanda, Moses Nyambura, Robert Baaru (UoN), Eunice Wanjiru, Violah Cherono, Mary Mwangi, Wesley Jahenda, Sherlyne Mbayii , Brenda Chepkorir, Christine Otieno (Chuka Univ), Freshia Evans (JKUAT), Zipporah Ezekiel (KU), Belinda Akinyi (JOUST), Stellah Sumba (PWANI), and 4 community volunteers from the Girl Study (Lister Onyancha- Kakamega, Lily Too -Bomet, Linet Atieno -Trans Nzoia, Lencer Anyango-Homa Bay).
The day started with an opening prayer and welcome from our Student and Volunteer coordinator, Dr. Catherine Kaimenyi. Next, all attendees introduced themselves, i.e. offering concise descriptions of their background, professional roles, career dreams and their greatest achievements in the year 2025.
First on the agenda was senior scholar, Robert Baarru explored the difference between pressure and purpose. Pressure was acknowledged as the outwards expectations in life such as academic pressure. In contrast, purpose was described as something deeper you have chosen to do He emphasized on the importance of all PATHWAYS members to stay focused on their purpose as it gives meaning to the pressure they face.
A powerful presentation from the girls from Chuka University was singing the song “Believe” by Fearless Soul which echoed inspiring words to the girl child society. In addition, Chuka University student Christine Otieno read a poem based on her own girl-child experiences. The poem served as a powerful testament to the resilience and aspirations of young girls striving for education.
Next, alumnus Noah Kanda analyzed business activities, opportunities, and the benefits of engaging in income generating activities. Relatedly, some of Chuka girls pursuing Business and Entrepreneurship courses shared experiences of improved financial independence and enhanced problem-solving abilities. Noah provided strategies for effective resource management, marketing and need for trust and honesty in customer relations.
Later, Deb Gust identified resilience as a crucial quality for personal and professional growth. She explained the difference between a successful and unsuccessful business person and the need to strive for a purpose driven life.
The Volunteers from the Girl Study reported on their insights from their years of experiences mentoring the girls.
In the afternoon, Prof Catherine led a discussion on the current increase in femicide in Kenya. She explained that femicide is the killing of women or girls. It often occurs in the context of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or cultural practices that devalue women. She explored the root causes, such as gender inequality, relationship matters, drugs and substance abuse as well as trauma and wars and encouraged PATHWAYS’ participants to recognize signs of abuse and take action when needed. Some solutions she noted were to increase self-independence, avoid personal conflicts and to focus on your goals and engage in income generating activities.
Last but not least, Monicah Nyambura discussed goal setting and volunteering and offered some of examples including mentoring younger girls, neighborhood cleanups, waste disposal, and chicken rearing. Characteristics of goals were discussed included need to be specific, measurable, accurate , realistic and being time bound in setting goals (SMART). She also discussed the importance or reasons for setting goals such as personal growth, career building and self-improvement..
The day was a huge success! All PATHWAYS leaders, Deb Gust, Prof. Catherine Kaimenyi and Monicah Nyambura expressed their deep appreciation for every PATHWAYS member who made the conference such a success. The following day we enjoyed an outing to Lake Victoria and to the Kisumu Wildlife Park.
