Gaining Insight. Experiencing God. Growing in Understanding.

Angels with a Message of Hope

Ms. Caroline, Founding Member of Yang'at

Ms. Caroline Menach, Founding Member of Yang'at

Similar to the experience of the elder in Pokot, my mind was also expanded to see “what things women can do” when I met Caroline and Magdalene.
Caroline Menach, in addition to teaching secondary school, is a founding member and the vice chair of the board of Yang’at Girl Child Potential and Sensitization Group.  While attending college, Caroline noticed that she was the only female student from Pokot in her class. After graduation, she joined four other women from Pokot who also completed college degrees, and together they formed Yang’at (which means “care” in the local language).  The group returned to their home communities to advocate for the education of girls. Yang’at is now celebrating a 30% increase of girls’ primary school enrollment in the Pokot community.    

Magdalene Gathoni, Founder of KALA

Magdalene Gathoni did not attend school as a child because of the cultural belief that education was not important for girls.  At the age of 37, however, Magdalene learned to read and write.  Once literate, she began to mobilize other women in rural areas to join classes.  Then, Magdalene formed the Kenya Adult Learners’ Association (KALA). 

“Literacy has changed my life,” states Magdalene.  Now, she travels the world, and she helped start learners’ associations in Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Ghana and Zimbabwe.  “I am 61,” Magdalene recently wrote, “but I feel that I should continue helping the unreached, though many challenges face me.   With God I will overcome and reach my vision of changing Kenyans from poverty and illiteracy to empowerment.” 

Posted on December 21st, 2008 by Nancy
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