From the Kibera slum to law school: Valary’s success breaks the cycle of poverty

Otieno Valary Akinyi, an 18-year-old woman born and raised in the village of Raila, within the Kibera informal settlement (Nairobi, Kenya), has defied the odds by enrolling this June at Strathmore University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in law. This milestone—unattainable for many young people facing social exclusion in the neighborhood—has been made possible thanks to the MACHEO PLUS scholarship from Harambee ONGD, funded by a donor who will cover the full cost of the four years of her academic studies.

Valary’s journey to college began with a great deal of effort on her part. During her sophomore year of high school at the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy—a free school—she joined Strathmore University’s Macheo program, which focuses on preparing high school students for higher education. By attending classes and mentoring sessions every Saturday, her perseverance paid off: she was named the top student in the class of 2025 after earning a B+ average (honors) on the KCSE national exam.

A scholarship that means everything

However, financial barriers threatened to derail his future. With six children in the family, his parents’ income was insufficient to cover college tuition. His mother, who works at a cereal store, earns about 54 euros a month, while his father makes a living as a street vendor.

The arrival of the scholarship funded by Spain has been a «lifeline» for the family. In a letter addressed to the Harambee ONGD headquarters in Madrid, the young woman expressed her gratitude for the financial support, which will spare her from having to deal with the financial burden and allow her to focus on her goals. «I will devote myself fully and diligently to my studies to live up to this privilege and graduate within four years,» said Valary, whose goal is to become a lawyer to serve her community and uphold justice.

The news has also transformed her family. Her mother, Esther Apin, described the anguish she felt at not knowing how they would pay for Valary’s education—Valary had dreamed of becoming a lawyer since her final years of elementary school—and confessed that she now feels a great sense of relief and hope. Her father, John Otieno, expressed his deep gratitude for the generosity of the anonymous Spanish benefactor.

Spillover effect

This success is also having a significant «ripple effect» on her community, a place where young people face a severe shortage of schools. Claris Omondi, principal of Valary’s former high school, notes that this achievement serves as «enormous motivation» for the rest of the students, as they see that it is possible to attend a prestigious university.

Through scholarships like this one, which include annual progress reports for donors, Harambee ONGD aims to make a structural impact. By facilitating access to college for talented young people, the organization seeks to ignite the engine of development, enabling students like Valary—who is already enjoying her first days of campus life and interactions—to take charge of their own destinies and improve the future of their communities.