Grace Kagendo Igweta - Kenya

United Nations World Food Programme
Linking Sponsors with Needy Children to Advance Educational Opportunities

The national enrollment rate for secondary education in Kenya is 24%. With 46% of families living in poverty, most are too poor to afford the high cost, others have little regard for formal education due to cultural beliefs and practices. While the World Food Programme is achieving its objective of increasing primary school completion though food aid, there is low transition to secondary school due to poverty. Growing up very poor, each of Grace’s church members contributed Kshs30 ($0.4) for her fees. She went on to receive an honors degree in computer science and has a career in applied technology. Whenever Grace returned home, she wondered what would have become of the rest of the girls had they completed school. Grace’s "Its up to us" project will develop an online framework that will track the progress of bright children from poor families through school, and ensure that those who have no means are highlighted.
www.wfp.org