The struggles women face on the Path to Excellence: Overcoming Challenges and Rising Above

In Kikuyu tradition, a man’s wealth was measured by the number of goats and sheep he owned. The wealthier a man was, the more wives he could marry. Njoroge was no exception. He had many goats and, as a result, married two wives: Wanjugu, his first wife, and Wamuyu, the second. In addition to livestock, a family with many daughters was also considered prosperous, as daughters could be married off to wealthy men who would pay a hefty dowry in goats. Though Wamuyu was young, her parents forced her to marry Njoroge because of his wealth. From his two marriages, Njoroge had thirteen children. Wanjugu bore him two: Muhia and Wamucii. Wamuyu, on the other hand, had eleven: Wanjiku, Waitherero, Watoro, Wairimu, Mumbi, Wacheke, Waheto, Nderitu, Wanjiru, Wambui, and Wanjira. Despite his wealth, Njoroge struggled to find a permanent home for his large family. He moved them from Murang'a to Kitale, then to Mt. Elgon, and finally to Machine village, where the government was selling land cheaply...

In the bustling town of Kitale, nestled in the fertile highlands of Kenya, lived a hardworking mother named Wanjiku. Originally from Murang'a, Wanjiku and her husband Mwaura had moved to Kitale, attracted by the promise of larger plots of fertile land that would allow them to farm extensively and secure a better future for their family. The move was challenging, but Wanjiku and Mwaura were determined to make a new life in Kitale. Wanjiku, or Mama Njeri as she was fondly called, was known for her unwavering dedication to her family and her tireless work ethic. She had three children: Njeri, Kamau, and Mwangi. With Mwaura frequently traveling for work, Wanjiku managed the household and farm on her own. She woke up every morning at the crack of dawn, before the roosters crowed, to start her day. "Kazi ni lazima, hakuna kulala," she would say, reminding herself of her responsibilities. The initial days in Kitale were tough for Wanjiku and her family. The locals, predomina...

In the lively city of Kisumu, Kenya, lived a determined woman named Atieno. She wanted to create a better future for herself and her family and was ready to work hard for it. Atieno was fascinated by the digital world. With just a basic internet connection and a simple smartphone, she dreamed of a business that could change how rentals were marketed in her city. Using her digital marketing skills and strong will, she set out to make her dream come true. At first, things were tough. Atieno visited landlords, going from house to house, and pitched her idea. She offered to market their rental properties online in exchange for a commission on successful leases. Many landlords were skeptical. They were used to traditional methods and found it hard to trust a young woman with just a phone and an internet connection. Some even refused to listen to her. But Atieno didn't give up. She knew she had to show them the value she could bring. She spent many hours improving her pitch, explainin...

Growing up in Kiambu, Nyaguthii was surrounded by the delicious flavors of Kikuyu cuisine. But there was one thing she struggled with, making chapatis. Despite her strong connection to her culture, making this simple yet important dish always felt like a challenge. But she was determined to turn her chapati failures into family favorites. Here is her story: When she first married Waiganjo, she didn’t know much about making chapatis. Waiganjo loved chapatis and would often say, “Nyaguthii, you know the way to my heart is through a good chapati.” Nyaguthii would smile nervously, hoping he didn’t notice the fear in her eyes every time it was chapati time. Her first attempts were far from perfect—sometimes they were too hard, other times too oily. Waiganjo, being the kind man he was, never complained, but deep down, Nyaguthii knew she wasn’t doing it right. Their daughter, Wanjira, was still young, but even she seemed to know that chapatis should be better. “Mummy, why are these chapatis n...

Balancing studies, work, and family is one of the biggest challenges young mothers face. Sleepless nights, endless responsibilities, and moments of doubt can make it seem impossible. Monicah knows this struggle well. Her journey was tough—stressful, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming. But with determination and hard work, she proved it was possible. Monicah always wanted to continue her education, but she wasn’t sure when to start. After getting married, she left her job and started a computer services business. Life became even busier when she had two children. Managing the business while taking care of her family was no easy task. Despite her efforts, the business struggled financially. Bills and debts piled up, forcing her to make a difficult decision. She moved the business to Turbo, where her husband had built a house and shop. It was far from Eldoret town, but stability was her priority. The shop wasn’t ready, so it took six months before she could open. When she finally did,...