The annual orientation meeting was held to welcome the four new scholars chosen this year.  The scholars are Marlyn Nyabuti (center; Medical School), Eunita Akim (right; Nursing School), Hussein Abdhallah (left; Actuarial Science) and Brian Kilonzi (Medical School; not pictured).

Kennedy Otieno (current scholar) and Levis Maina (alumni) gave presentations and the group oriented the new scholars as to the mission and purpose of PATHWAYS, i.e. to build leaders through community development/empowerment projects.

Congratulations to scholars Aphonce Oginga, Dennis Mutwiri and Jemimah Peters for planning the conference with the help of Catherine Kaimenyi and Dr. Mbaabu Mathiu.

Second year scholar, Jemimah Peter, reports that her women’s group was informed about cassava from third year scholar Michael Murigi and now are motivated to move forward with their agricultural project. They are planting sukuma wikis and tomatoes and will plant cassava when the short rains come.

A water tank purchased through Jemimah’s project award, is being used to help with watering (pictured above). This is a good example of more senior scholars helping more junior scholars.

Dikembe Mutombo, the global ambassador of the NBA, represented Cindy McCain at a visit to 3rd year scholar Michael Murigi’s (pictured at right) cassava project in Maragua Division.

The visit was arranged by the Ministry of Agriculture so that the delegation, including senior officials from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa and the U.S. embassy, could witness a success story of how one community has used cassava cultivation to escape hunger in an area of raging famine. Journalists from the CNN and BBC were in attendance.

Michael reported, “Our message was that African problems required African solutions and if supported, our lives would greatly improve. PATHWAYS Student Coordinator, Catherine Kaimenyi, and Vice President, Dr. Mbaabu Mathiu, were in attendance and explained the link between PATHWAYS and our group. The Americans told me that they were happy that an American organization (PATHWAYS) has helped to better our lives. Dikembe Mutombo conveyed Madam Cindy’s apologies and promised that she will visit in the future to experience the success herself.”

Nafisa Ayuka recently completed her teaching practice at St. Clares Maragoli Girls Secondary School. She was a wonderful role model for the girls given her extensive involvement in improving her community.

Next, Nafisa will be interning with Solidarity for Advancement of Women’s Agenda (SAWA) under the guidance of Catherine Kaimenyi.