For many young people from rural Kenya, being financially disadvantaged often interrupts the journey from education to meaningful employment. This was the reality for Sarah Muthoni Kabaya, a young woman from Meru County whose dream of pursuing a Master's degree in Environmental Science seemed impossible after completing her undergraduate studies.
For many young people from rural Kenya, being financially disadvantaged often interrupts the journey from education to meaningful employment. This was the reality for Sarah Muthoni Kabaya, a young woman from Meru County whose dream of pursuing a Master's degree in Environmental Science seemed impossible after completing her undergraduate studies. Although she had excelled academically and was passionate about environmental conservation, her family could not afford the cost of postgraduate education. Without financial support, Sarah faced the difficult prospect of abandoning her ambitions and settling for whatever opportunities that were available.
At home, the situation was equally challenging. Sarah's mother, Dorcas Kabaya, struggled to provide for the family through small-scale farming. She had previously started a small retail shop in an effort to supplement the family's income, but the business collapsed due to inadequate capital. The family had limited and irregular sources of income, making it difficult to meet basic household needs, support the education of her sibling, or invest in productive assets. Like many vulnerable rural households, they lived from one season to the next with little hope of improving their circumstances.
The turning point came when Sarah was awarded the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa's Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) Scholarship at Egerton University, implemented by RUFORUM with support from the Mastercard Foundation. The scholarship removed the financial barriers that had prevented her from pursuing postgraduate education and provided comprehensive support that extended beyond tuition. Through the program, Sarah received financial assistance, mentorship, leadership development, career guidance, and opportunities for experiential learning that equipped her with the knowledge and confidence to succeed both academically and professionally.
"When I received the scholarship, I was overjoyed because I had almost given up on pursuing my Master's degree. TAGDev gave me another opportunity to continue my education and build the future I had always dreamed of," Sarah recalls.
With the burden of tuition and living expenses eased, Sarah was able to dedicate herself fully to her studies while making strategic decisions about how to use part of her stipend to improve her family's wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on her own needs, she viewed the scholarship as an opportunity to uplift her entire household.
One of her first investments was helping her mother reopen the family shop, which had closed because of lack of operating capital. The revived business quickly became a stable source of income for the family.
"Sarah gave me money to reopen my shop after it had closed due to lack of capital. Today, the shop sustains our family and has given us hope again," says her mother, Dorcas.
The income generated from the shop enabled the family to rent farmland, increasing agricultural production and strengthening household food security. As earnings improved, Sarah continues investing in productive assets that would provide long-term benefits. She has purchased a dairy cow, creating an additional source of income through milk production while improving the family's nutrition. She has also bought a 5,000-litre water tank, significantly improving water storage for domestic use and farming activities in an area where reliable access to water had always been a challenge.
Education remained at the centre of Sarah's vision for her family. Understanding how poverty had nearly prevented her from achieving her own dreams, she ensures that her younger siblings have better opportunities. She supports the payment of their school fees and also financed her brother's enrolment in a certificate course in Electrical Engineering, helping him acquire skills for future employment.
As Sarah progressed through her studies, the TAGDev Program continued to shape her personal and professional growth. She was elected as her class representative, a position that strengthened her leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities. The program also facilitated opportunities for practical exposure, she recently secured an internship at the Action for cheaters in Kenya, that is enabling her gain hands-on experience while expanding her professional network. Her academic journey even took her beyond Kenya when she travelled to Germany through educational opportunities associated with her programme, broadening her global perspective and exposing her to international approaches in environmental management.
"Seeing my daughter travel to Germany made us incredibly proud. It showed us how education can open doors we never imagined possible," Dorcas reflects.
Back home in Meru County, Sarah also became a mentor to young people, particularly girls living in communities where early marriage and dependence on Khat “miraa” farming often limit educational aspirations. Drawing from her own experience, she encourages young women to remain in school and pursue higher education as a pathway to independence and improved livelihoods.
"Without TAGDev, I might never have continued with my education. Today, I tell young girls that education can completely change their lives if they are given the opportunity," she says.
Today, Sarah is preparing to graduate with a Master of Science in Environmental Science later this year and is currently undertaking an internship that is strengthening her practical skills and preparing her for a career in environmental management and research. Building on this momentum, she has secured a six-month research stay at the University of the Free State in South Africa, which she will undertake after graduation. Looking ahead, Sarah aspires to pursue a PhD and contribute innovative solutions to environmental and climate challenges affecting communities across Africa.
Reflecting on the family's journey, Dorcas describes the program's significance:
"TAGDev has educated my daughter and transformed our entire family. Through Sarah, we now have a business, better farming, a cow, water storage, improved housing, and our children are continuing with their education. This programme has restored our hope for the future."
Sarah shares the same gratitude.
"The TAGDev Programme gave me more than a scholarship. It gave me leadership skills, confidence, opportunities, and the ability to change my family's future. I sincerely thank Egerton university ,RUFORUM &,Mastercard Foundation, for investing in young people like me. Because of this opportunity, I can now serve my community and inspire others to believe that transformation is possible."
Sarah's story illustrates the ripple effect of investing in one young person. What began as a scholarship to support postgraduate education has resulted in stronger family livelihoods, improved educational opportunities for siblings, increased household resilience, empowered community leadership, and a future environmental scientist committed to creating sustainable solutions for Africa. It is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of the TAGDev Program in building not only graduates, but changemakers who uplift families, communities, and generations to come.