They say proper planning prevents poor performance and the IESE Business School visit to Academia School in Kibera on January 14, 2026 was proof that when purpose meets preparation, impact is inevitable.

In collaboration with the Macheo Achievement Programme and Strathmore University Business School, IESE brought its MBA participants under the Doing Business in Africa Programme to Kibera with three clear objectives:
1) To challenge the MBAs to reflect deeply on their personal and professional priorities.
2) To expose them to the lived realities of people in high-density informal urban communities.
3) To offer them an opportunity to give their time, presence and energy in service of a community.

For the students, the goals were to inspire them to stay in school, to think positively about their futures, and, most importantly, to enjoy themselves and share a meal together.

The programme began with a contextual briefing by Mr. Luis Borallo, the director of the Strathmore University Community Service Centre. This prepared the IESE students mentally and emotionally for the Kibera experience. This was followed by the journey to the school, where they were welcomed through vibrant traditional dances that instantly set a tone of warmth and dignity.

The heart of the day lay in the breakout sessions—small circles bringing together IESE MBAs, Macheo mentors, and Academia students. In these group sessions, the aim was to understand the educational journeys and challenges of students growing up in Kibera.

For me, this moment transported me back to my own high school years in Kibera. My co-mentor from Macheo, Alice, invited introductions and then, with a smile, handed over the facilitation to me.
As a warm-up, nicknames and favourite meals filled the air. “Beth, Pepe, Senje, Fei, Aya…” voices from different worlds met in one circle. Ugali and chicken quickly emerged as favourites—unsurprising. “Who doesn’t love ugali?” one of the IESE students laughed. Feiy from Nigeria spoke passionately about fufu, while Pepe proudly defended sushi. Food, it turned out, was our first bridge.

Alice then led the conversation deeper, asking about career aspirations. From a teacher, a lawyer, an air hostess, a hairdresser, to a lawyer, the answers were beautiful in their diversity. What stood out was the confidence with which vocational paths were mentioned—a shift from the past, when only “white-collar” professions were celebrated. It was a quiet but powerful sign that skills-based careers are gaining dignity and space.

We broke into even smaller groups. My group had Baxton, a student who is also a rapper but dreams of becoming a lawyer. His motivation was striking. “Some people can’t afford lawyers and end up never getting justice. I want to be the one to speak for them,” he said. He had already researched universities offering Law and their entry requirements and was intentionally working towards them. “That’s a very strategic move,” Aya from IESE affirmed.

The students also opened up about their challenges, including a lack of textbooks, noisy homes, family conflicts, and limited study spaces. These were echoes of my own past. I shared coping strategies that once helped me, while Hannah from IESE added, “You don’t have to struggle alone. Study together. Stay in school a bit longer. Share books. Support each other.”

We spoke about SMART goals, resilience, and the importance of competing with oneself rather than with classmates. “Your greatest competition is who you were yesterday,” I reminded them.

Later, as we shared lunch, the atmosphere softened into laughter and language exchange. The students eagerly taught the IESE group Kiswahili, turning the tent into a joyful classroom of culture.

Back in the main forum, feedback was shared. The school captain delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, while the Journalism Club expressed gratitude to Strathmore University and boldly asked for continued support in areas where the school still lacks resources.

The day concluded back at Strathmore with a reflection session led by Macheo beneficiaries who are now mentors themselves. Their testimonies and the Q&A with IESE students closed the learning loop.
In his final words, Mr. Luis Borallo left the room in thoughtful silence. “When you are in the dark, you can either curse the darkness or light a match. I chose to light the match for the Macheo students.”

And indeed, that day in Kibera, many small matches were lit—in hearts, in dreams, and in futures.

Article Written by Nekesa Teresa