Country of Residence
Kenya
Age
19
Project title
Binti Bright (Bright Girls Mentorship)
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
Bright Girls is a mentorship program in Seregeya village, Likuyani, Kakamega County, that keeps 50+ girls affected by early marriage and pregnancy in school through academic support, school fees paid directly to schools, and necessities for their extremely poor families.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Pilot-Stage (We’ve tried an activity or two)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
I once taught a girl whose schooling was disrupted by early pregnancy. With mentorship, academic support, and help with her needs, she returned to school and is now successful and gives back to the community. That was my “Aha!” moment. If one girl could turn around with a little support, many more could with a structured program. I know these families and the community trusts me, so I decided not to wait for someone else to act.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
In Seregeya village, Likuyani constituency, Kakamega County, many girls drop out of school because of early marriage and early pregnancy. Once they leave, few return. Most families cannot afford school fees or basic necessities, so these girls lose their education, their independence, and their future. The problem affects more than the girls. Their children, their families, and the whole community lose out when a generation of girls is shut out of school. Girls who stay in school are more likely to earn a living, make informed choices, and raise healthy families. This matters to me because I am a teacher and a local of Seregeya. I have seen bright girls leave the classroom, and I have seen what happens when one is supported to return. The future of these girls matters for a healthy, holistic community. Seregeya Girls Rise responds with mentorship, academic support, school fees paid directly to schools, and necessities for extremely poor families, so that girls can attend school comfortably and stay there.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
In Seregeya village, Likuyani constituency, Kakamega County, many girls drop out of school because of early marriage and early pregnancy. Once they leave, few return. Most families cannot afford school fees or basic necessities, so these girls lose their education, their independence, and their future. The problem affects more than the girls. Their children, their families, and the whole community lose out when a generation of girls is shut out of school. Girls who stay in school are more likely to earn a living, make informed choices, and raise healthy families. This matters to me because I am a teacher and a local of Seregeya. I have seen bright girls leave the classroom, and I have seen what happens when one is supported to return. The future of these girls matters for a healthy, holistic community. Seregeya Girls Rise responds with mentorship, academic support, school fees paid directly to schools, and necessities for extremely poor families, so that girls can attend school comfortably and stay there.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
The program is at an early stage, so this is the impact we expect. In its first cycle, Seregeya Girls Rise will reach more than 50 girls affected by early marriage and early pregnancy. Each girl will receive mentorship and academic support, her school fees will be paid directly to her school, and her extremely poor family will receive necessities so she can attend school comfortably. The program will run continuously, year after year. Over two years, we aim to reach at least 300 girls, with USD 2,000 in funding. I believe it will work because I have seen it work once. A girl I taught, affected by this same problem, returned to school with mentorship and support. She is now successful and gives back to the community. This program turns her story into a structure that can reach many more girls.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
Seregeya Girls Rise is not a new technology. Its innovation is in combining support that is often offered separately, and delivering it through someone the community already trusts. Instead of addressing a single need, such as awareness talks or occasional fee help, the program provides mentorship, academic support, school fees, and necessities for extremely poor families together, so a girl affected by early marriage or pregnancy can return to class and stay there. Supporting the family matters because a girl cannot attend school comfortably if her household cannot meet basic needs. School fees are paid directly to the school, which ensures the money is used for its purpose and secures the girl’s place. The program is led by a local teacher who knows the girls, their families, and the school environment, rather than by an outside group arriving for a short project. It also runs continuously, year after year, so each new group of affected girls finds support waiting for them. The model comes from a real result: a girl I once taught returned to school with mentorship and support and now gives back to her community. This program turns that single outcome into a structured village program.
How many people are on your team?
15
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
I lead the program as a local of Seregeya, coordinating mentorship, academic support, and the budget. I am building a small team of local volunteers: female mentors from the community, a school representative to confirm fee payments, and a community liaison to identify affected families. Each member will own one area, and we will meet regularly to review progress and decide together.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
Because the program is still at the idea stage, these are the steps for the first three months. In month one, I will identify and register more than 50 girls affected by early marriage and early pregnancy, working with local schools and the community to find the girls and the extremely poor families who need support. I will also recruit and brief the mentors and the school and community contacts who will work with me. In month two, I will start mentorship sessions and academic support, pay school fees directly to each girl’s school, and deliver necessities to the families who need them. In month three, I will review attendance and progress with the schools and the girls’ families, record what is working, and use the results to plan the next group of girls so the program continues year after year. Our goal over two years is to reach at least 300 girls, with USD 2,000 in funding.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
Because the project is still an idea, this is how I will engage others. I will hold meetings with parents, school heads, local elders, and church groups in Seregeya, and share the story of the girl I taught who returned to school and now gives back to the community. I will invite people to take specific roles: mentors, community liaisons who identify affected girls and families, and donors of school supplies or small contributions. Each term, I will report attendance, fees paid, and the number of girls supported at community meetings and on social media, so supporters can see what their help achieves. Girls who complete the program will be invited to mentor the next group.
