May 2, 2026 Rosa Mystica Spiritual Centre, Nairobi. This was our 21st conference and we noted how we have evolved due in large part to our Fanz Foundation grant which started in 2017 with the aim to mentor young girls in secondary school. It was particularly exciting to note that a total of 20 girls have so far benefited from full scholarships to do a one-year certificate programme and several others benefiting from partial scholarship. Girls shared the about the businesses that they were undertaking through the grants from the Foundation. We are grateful for the activities we have been able to conduct through the Fanz Foundation support.
In attendance were our two senior current PATHWAYS scholars (Robert Baaru and Moses Nyambura), two of our Girl Study scholars (Freshia Evans and Ziporah Ezekiel) and girls from the Fanz Foundation-funded Girl Study [Ashley Odiwo, Huldah Akinyi, Sharifa Abdulkarim, (Nairobi), Serah Wanjiru, Pamela Chelegat and Jane Mukuria (Nakuru), Camila Tracy (Kisumu), Faith Onsando (Tranzoia), Cynthia Auma (Busia), Jemima Hamisi (Kakamega), Whitney Erusa (Vihiga), and Weddy Kibaara (Tharaka Nithi )]. Special recognition goes to Janet Nyaga, a lecturer at Chuka University who is instrumental in mentoring girls studying at the institution.
The day started with an opening note from our senior scholar Moses Nyambura and a welcome remark from our Student and Volunteer coordinator, Prof. Catherine Kaimenyi followed by an interactive creative session of introductions where members randomly introduced each other. Senior scholar Robert Baaru gave an overview of 2025 conference. Thereafter, Zippy made a presentation on goal setting using the vision board model. This was followed by discussions with participants identifying strategic areas where they could keep the boards as constant reminders of goals. Freshia covered the topic ‘Empathy” and took time to differentiate it from sympathy. Group discussions and presentations (see photos below) followed with testimonies of cases where empathy was experienced or what they did to portray empathy.
This year, we gave girls direct small grants to conceptualize and implement a business idea while in school. Seven girls doing their certificate in the Business Management program presented their businesses. Among them were Cynthia, who was doing a footwear business, and had actually brought several samples of the shoes that she sells. She indicated that her main customers were her neighbors and fellow students at college, and her competitive strategy was to sell the brands that meet the needs of her low-income customers. Serah Wanjiru presented her washing detergent business that seemed to do well and hoped that she would continue expanding it at home. Her clients were university students and staff. Other businesses included chicken rearing business (Hulda), beauty accessories (Pamela), baking of wheat products (Faith), female sandals (Weddy) and clothing (Shariffa). All the businesses had reported some profits.
Later in the afternoon, Robert Baaru gave a presentation on Economic Empowerment and stressed that it was not the amount of money but how good your idea is and the strategies adopted that made a difference. Through group discussions, each group presented a business idea that they could do with Kenya shillings 1000. Two groups discussed how they could get into egg selling while the other two settled on clothing and soap. Robert impressed on participants to start with goal setting already presented, identify a gap in the market, strategize on how they can fill the gap and financing should be the last aspect. Where there is a good idea that is well organised, finances would follow!
0-4064×3048-0-0-{}-0-12#
Moses presented on leadership and responsibility stressing the importance of integrity and accountability as a leader. He linked the topic to Artificial Intelligence (AI) where through assignments and group discussions participants appreciated they were also current leaders and not just leaders of the future. Prof. Kaimenyi gave examples of how AI was getting misused in institutions of learning and urged students to “use their minds” because critical thinking would determine how successful they are in whatever careers they are in. AI is good, but overreliance is bad since it leads to brain rot.
Later, Deb Gust led the group in a discussion of a case scenario where a community opposed government fertilizer due to negative information about the fertilizer circulating in the social media. The discussion centered around the need to verify and think through information before making a decision.
Towards the end of the day, Prof. Kaimenyi reiterated the need to be guided by PATHWAYS values in whatever we do and thanked all, especially for arriving for the meeting on time. On behalf of PATHWAYS, Monica presented a token of appreciation to Cynthia in recognition of her dedicated leadership to her fellow students at the university.
The next day, Sunday May 3rd, the group visited New Life Trust Children’s Home in Kilimani which was about three kilometers from the conference venue. The group decided to walk as a way of bonding. The Children’s Home was started in 1994 by a couple from UK who wanted to give hope to babies condemned/abandoned by their HIVAIDS parents. They take babies from 0-6 months and then help to arrange families/adoption. These children come from hospitals, streets and police. The centre has branches in Kisumu, Nakuru and Nyeri. It was a fulfilling with the young children, playing, feeding, arranging their clothes in wardrobes and even doing some clean up. We presented some needed gifts for the children before we departed.
