NAIROBI, KENYA — In the heart of one of Nairobi's most challenging informal settlements, 705 young women are fighting for their education against overwhelming odds. On March 14, 2026, If I Were XYZ, Inc. launched its Kenya initiative with a charity event at Embakasi Girls High School, located within the Mukuru kwa Njenga slums.
The Reality They Face
Just 7 kilometers south of Nairobi's bustling Central Business District lies a different world entirely. Mukuru kwa Njenga—home to over 100,000 residents—is characterized by 3m×3m corrugated iron shelters, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to clean water. Here, where families struggle to meet the most basic needs, education becomes a luxury many cannot afford.
At Embakasi Girls High School, approximately three-quarters of students—some 529 girls—come from households within these slums. Of these, at least 450 are living far below the poverty line, facing daily decisions between food, hygiene, and school supplies.
When Poverty Interrupts Education
For adolescent girls in Mukuru, menstruation often means missing school. Without access to affordable sanitary products, many stay home during their periods, falling behind academically and risking dropout altogether. The cycle of poverty perpetuates when education—the most powerful tool for breaking that cycle—becomes inaccessible.
School uniforms, required for attendance, become barriers rather than symbols of learning. Basic toiletries and undergarments, taken for granted elsewhere, represent dignity that poverty threatens to steal.
Our Response: Meeting Essential Needs
In partnership with our Kenyan counterpart, Ms. Jeruto Mukiri, If I Were XYZ, Inc. launched a comprehensive support initiative for the girls of Embakasi Girls High School, where 705 students are enrolled. Read the launch recap.
The Initiative Provides:
Sanitary Towels
Ensuring girls can attend school every day of the month with dignity and confidence
School Uniforms
Removing barriers to classroom attendance and creating equity among students
Personal Care Items
Toiletries, soap, toothbrushes, and school stationery for health and preparedness
Undergarments
Essential items for comfort, health, and dignity
The Ripple Effect of Support
When we address these immediate needs, we create far-reaching impact:
- ✅ Reduced educational barriers for girls living in extreme poverty
- ✅ Improved health and hygiene outcomes in vulnerable communities
- ✅ Boosted self-esteem and confidence among students struggling with poverty-related stigma
- ✅ Increased school attendance and retention, particularly during menstruation
- ✅ Breaking the silence around period shame and menstrual stigma
"The challenges facing Mukuru kwa Njenga—inadequate housing, poor sanitation, unsafe water, and widespread unemployment—seem insurmountable. But education offers a pathway forward. By ensuring these 705 girls can attend school with dignity, health, and confidence, we're investing in future teachers, healthcare workers, leaders, and changemakers."
— If I Were XYZ, Inc.
A Call to Action
The challenges facing Mukuru kwa Njenga—inadequate housing, poor sanitation, unsafe water, and widespread unemployment—seem insurmountable. But education offers a pathway forward. By ensuring these 705 girls can attend school with dignity, health, and confidence, we're investing in future teachers, healthcare workers, leaders, and changemakers.
Stop menstruation stigma. End period shame.
Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue her dreams—regardless of where she was born or the circumstances of her household.
About This Initiative
If I Were XYZ, Inc. continues its commitment to supporting educational opportunities and dignity for young people across Africa. Our Kenya initiative, led by Country Representative Ms. Jeruto Mukiri, addresses critical barriers to education while empowering communities to break cycles of poverty.
This program is part of our broader Africa expansion, which includes the One Youth One Mentor campaign. The campaign launched in Nigeria on March 6, 2026 and in Kenya on March 14, 2026, with South Africa to follow, all focused on youth empowerment through education, mentorship, and addressing fundamental barriers to learning.
About If I Were XYZ, Inc.
If I Were XYZ, Inc. is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting peace, understanding, and cooperation among individuals, communities, and nations through innovative initiatives, dialogue, and education. Our mission—"To Seek Peace and Pursue It"—drives programs that empower youth, provide essential support, and foster global citizenship.
Get Involved
For more information about our Africa initiatives or to support our work in Kenya:
If I Were XYZ, Inc.
240 Peachtree Street NW, Suite #56039
Atlanta, GA 30343
Email: info@ifiwerexyz.com
Phone: (470) 469-4339
Website: ifiwerexyzorg.netlify.app
Kenya Country Representative: Ms. Jeruto Mukiri
Together, we're not just providing supplies—we're affirming that every girl's education matters, every girl's dignity is worth protecting, and every girl deserves the chance to build a better future.