Strathmore University’s Msingi Program has been awarded the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship, for its impactful work in fostering the holistic development of secondary students from Nairobi’s slums. 

In a university network of more than 437 universities from 86 countries across the globe, Msingi program, domiciled at Strathmore Community Service Centre emerged 3rd, epitomizing Strathmore University’s unwavering dedication to its core value; Service to Society.

The award issued by the MacJannet Foundation and the Talloires Network, highlights university student civic engagement programs that truly make a difference in fostering global citizenship. It’s like the Oscars of the university world, but for do-gooders.

But here’s the kicker – this win couldn’t have come at a better time. Kenya’s youth population is booming, but the number of kids making it to university is dropping faster than a lead balloon. We’re talking less than 22% of high school grads getting university slots at a time where Kenya’s youth population surged from 11 million in 2009 to over 13 million as of  2019.

This stark reality feeds into broader societal issues, including a worrying 8.4% rise in crime rates in 2022. And that is where  Msingi  comes in, providing pathways to a brighter future for these young minds.

The seeds of the Msingi Program, which means ‘foundation’ in Swahili, began  in 2012 with the Macheo programme that has a vision as bright as its name aimed to open the eyes of kids who grew up in the slums of Nairobi  to the world beyond them. Macheo (Swahili for sunrise), aims to uplift secondary students from Nairobi’s slums, giving them a better shot at transitioning to higher education.

In just five short years, Macheo expanded from supporting 25 children in Kibera to reaching over 150 students across three different slums: Kibera, Mukuru, and Kangemi. The program’s success is exemplified by two students from these areas securing scholarships to Strathmore University in its fifth year. Since then, the number of scholarship recipients has steadily increased. At the 20th graduation ceremony held on June 28, 2024, nine Macheo students proudly graduated from Strathmore University, a testament to the program’s impactful growth.

This milestone is a significant step towards breaking the cycle of poverty and providing these students with opportunities for a brighter future,

The mastermind behind this operation devised a three-pronged attack strategy: extra academic tuition to sharpen those brains, character development sessions to build resilience, and excursions to broaden horizons. It’s like a mental, emotional, and physical boot camp, but with less shouting and more learning.

Accepting the award, community Service Director, Michael Babu, couldn’t be prouder, stating, “Thank you, Talloires Network of Engaged Universities, for recognizing our commitment to service to society. This award is only possible because of our students who remain actively dedicated to investing their time and skills in many vulnerable members of our community.”

Bottom line? Strathmore’s Msingi program isn’t just changing the game – it’s rewriting the rulebook showing the world that with a whole lot of heart, you can turn the tables on poverty and give kids a fighting chance at a brighter future.

Cheers to Msingi for building a foundation that keeps on giving!

Article written by Keith Albert