Afex ScholarS
“By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world’s youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa. ”
Friends of Africa Exchange know us as an organization dedicated to a focused, integrated approach to early childhood development in marginalized areas, a foundation for our broader vision of community flourishing. But you may not know that our influence in the lives of children continues even after they leave our ICDC units to attend primary school, and beyond. Each year we select from among a small group of high achievers who are poised to enter secondary school, providing them with scholarship support through to tertiary/university levels. They are known as AFEX Scholars (24 at present) and we take the opportunity to share a few of their stories here.
Escaping Early Marriage - Stellah Cheptiyos, Nakwijit ICDC
Stellah entered the Nakwijit Integrated Child Development Center (ICDC) in West Pokot as a shy four-year-old. She remembers the delicious and warm porridge that was offered each day, and the joy of sweet friendships with the other boys and girls in her class. “Mr. John Lodipo, our teacher, would get down on the floor with us to teach us things and do activities with us. It made us feel loved and his kindness provided stability in our lives. We learned through play and Mr. Lodipo focused on lessons like sharing, taking turns, and counting with songs at circle time.” Looking back, she realizes these days were foundational for her in learning how to be a functioning person in the world.
Stellah was the youngest in a family with 5 older siblings. By the time she completed her primary education at 13 years old, the family was facing serious difficulties in making ends meet. It was decided Stellah would be offered in marriage without her consent to a much older man, a means of earning some income through a dowry. “I felt powerless and completely hopeless when this incident occurred. I felt trapped and that I had no options. I was a child and it felt like my whole future was being decided without my input and towards one I had no capacity to understand. I wanted to run away but didn’t know how I could survive on my own. Mark Okello of Africa Exchange heard about my dilemma and intervened. He was able to arrange for me to attend secondary boarding school at Tartar Girls School, providing a scholarship to finance the endeavor. This removed me from the threat of marriage, and more than that, started me on a path to further education, something I barely dreamed could be possible.”
“Adjusting to Secondary School was hard initially”, Stellah admits, “starting with living in the dormitory. There was a particular teacher of agriculture, Mr. Owon Aaron, who became an inspiration. While he was strict, he was passionate and made the subject come alive with practical skills show casing what the field of agriculture was all about. His teaching laid the groundwork for my desire for further study.
Through the generosity of a faithful donor, Africa Exchange enabled the furtherance of Stellah’s scholarship at Kisii University where she studied Agriculture. “More transition awaited me as I began my university education at Kisii University. I remember the orientation of Fresher’s Week and my nervousness as I tried to find my place and make new friends. I quickly learned the computer labs would always be crowded and the library packed during exam season. But I had to push in and accomplish what I needed for my own success.”
Stellah’s favorite learning experience became the practical lectures where she and her fellow students learned on the demonstration farm. “It was here where theory became tangible, like seeing soil erosion prevention firsthand. I loved the perfect balance of classroom theory and practical work on the university farm. This blending of education and training empowered us to be developers and practitioners, both needed skills in the world of agriculture.”
In 2025, Africa Exchange was able to secure Stellah an internship through Public Service Commission (PSC) where she was deployed to National Addition Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP). Posted in Narok NCPB (National Cereals & Produce Board), Stellah is earning an internship stipend as well as experience in the field.
“The learning never stops,” Stellah smiles, when asked how her internship is going. “I am finding it challenging to manage my time when juggling multiple tasks. I have faced a learning curve with new tools and processes which can be a bit overwhelming at times. I’ve even faced some challenges navigating working in a team where communications styles differ which has pushed me to hone my own communication skills. But I’ve also had my confidence boosted by positive feedback from my supervisor which has motivated me to continue learning and improving.”
Stellah says the challenge to network and build relationships with professionals in her field has been invaluable for her career development. Her internship setting in Narok is a new environment for her on many levels. She has found it a place of natural beauty and warm and friendly people. She has made new friends and shared recently, while at the market, she met a woman who was surprised to hear she was from West Pokot. They chatted a while, building connections and learning a bit more about one another and their home places.
“Africa Exchange is the reason I am where I am now,” Stellah reflects, now a 25-year-old woman. “Were it not for them, I would have been married long ago, had several children, and never have had the chance to further my education. I am grateful beyond words that the little girl who started in the Nakwijit ICDC so many years ago, is now an educated woman, well on her way to making a difference in Kenya with her own vision and dreams for a better future. And one who can model that life for girls back home.”
Student to Teacher - Elias Kakimon, Longewan ICDC
When you’re 4 years old and live in Longewan in Baringo County, much of your life is spent outside. That was true for Elias. Even his first experience of childcare was a small gathering of children under a shade tree. So, when he was accepted and entered the classroom of the Africa Exchange Integrated Child Development Center (ICDC), he felt like he was in a dream. “It was so comfortable and modern to us. It felt very special. The porridge snack and lunch we were given served as our only meals for the day. Our family just couldn’t manage providing more than that for us.”
Elias remembers Sam being the first white person who had ever visited his place. “Now, it’s funny to think of the impression that made on me at the time but truly, because of being somewhat remote, it was highly unusual to see an “mzungu” (white person). Soon, it became evident Sam and Africa Exchange were not just visiting to see how we lived. They had a commitment to our community for basic education, clean water, agricultural projects, nutrition, and malaria prevention. They became our friends. They became a familiar presence and came along side us over the long term.”
After the ICDC, Elias proceeded to primary school and then, with the assistance of Africa Exchange, Marigat Boys Secondary School. When he was 14, he was returning home with his parents after attending his sister’s wedding when they were involved in a serious road accident. He survived, but his parents sustained critical injuries, and both passed away. That was a turning point in his life as he realized everything going forward was going to be up to him. He carried on at Marigat Boys with his elder brother as the adult presence in his life.
“Marigat Boys was good for me. I see now it was the place I was able to transition from being a boy to becoming a man. Our teachers were attentive and gave us valuable talks about life. I also remember it as a place where you had to study smart to succeed and, since it was located in town, there was a sense of freedom. I learned early on that self-discipline would be required to not be tempted by wayward behaviors in which one could easily get entangled.”
Africa Exchange continued to play a pivotal role in Elias’s life and secured a furtherance of his scholarship to attend the University of Embu. “My years at the university were not easy. I often faced financial struggles, especially having enough money for meals and for personal items. I worried about job opportunities after graduation. And of course, I felt the challenge of making new friends since I was not originally from this environment or community. Mark Okello of Africa Exchange followed me closely and supported me from year to year in my Education degree. He always paid my fees on time which allowed me to fully focus on my studies, without worry.”
Elias was posted as a teacher to Mogotio Junior School in March of 2025. “My transition to being a teacher has been fulfilling. I have taken fully my responsibilities managing classrooms, understanding different learners' needs, developing confidence, and inspiring and guiding learners. The workload can be challenging at times but I’m managing. I’m very lucky to have found my colleagues to be good and welcoming people, always ready to assist where possible. We often talk and share constructive ideas that help us both personally and professionally.”
Elias’s hope is to enroll in a master's degree next year. “At times I think back to being a little boy at Longewan and the way that was made for me through Africa Exchange. If I can be that kind of hope for someone else in the future, then all that has been invested in me will not be lost.”
Scholars enjoying a recent annual retreat
Radio Journalist, Women’s Advocate - Sheila Cheruto, Sisit ICDC
Sheila’s story is a little different than the rest. She did not have the opportunity to attend an Integrated Child Development Center as a child, though she lived nearby. With the death of both of her parents, Sheila and her 4 siblings became orphans and had to rely on one another to survive, her grandparents standing as pillars of support in her life.
In her secondary school years, Sheila was pressured by the community towards FGM (female genital mutilation) in preparation for an early marriage. She refused and began to be mocked and stigmatized. “Girls would call me names, sing awful songs, and tell me ‘If it won’t be cut then it will grow and sweep your way as you walk.’ They also would hold their noses as I walked by saying I smelled. I held this suffering in my heart until I finally told my Grandmother what was happening. She told me these were all lies and to stick to my Christian faith.”
Sheila finally had a chance to attend a seminar by World Vision about FGM. It confirmed her Grandmother’s words and not only boosted Sheila’s confidence about her decision, it also rooted in her a commitment to champion resisting FGM and to help other young girls be educated and have tools to make their own choices.
Still, the pressure in the community continued. Sheila also had become pregnant and now had a baby to raise. During a community exercise with a visiting Kutana group, Africa Exchange learned of her plight and began conversations with her about her story. She shared she had held a dream for a long time to become a journalist. The timing seemed right to provide her a scholarship to attend Elgon View College. She enrolled for a 2 year course and graduated with Diploma in Journalism and Mass Media.
“My course at Elgon View was so good, though not without challenges. I felt I had moved beyond village life and that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I felt alive. I was crowned Miss Elgon during my time there. A beauty queen, imagine that! I also was able to participate in the Power of Humanity walk across Kenya (organized by the Red Cross). With the permission from the administration, I taught fellow students about reproductive health, financial literacy and child rights, a training I did over 6 months alongside my course work.”
“One of the most difficult things was facing sexual harassment from a lecturer at the college. He hated me because I resisted his advance and wanted me to fail my final exams. All of that together was hard. But the thing that bolstered me was that learning journalism and mass media was a dream come true. I was driven by passion and vividly remember the rush I felt at learning about photography, broadcast at large, microphone techniques, public relations and how to be a professional journalist. I could see myself in the field.”
From there Sheila secured 2 internships at North Rift Radio (Kapenguria) and Ayok FM (Turkana). She is currently employed at APERIT FM in Makutano.
“I feel such deep gratitude to Africa Exchange for believing in me and making a way for my professional future. Because of you educating me, I am committed to educating other girls in various communities through radio. It’s a wonderful platform for sharing important words, having honest conversations, and having a far-ranging reach for positive messaging towards the thriving of girls in Kenya.”
Aspiring Scholar, Born in the Path - Naftali Kibet, Sisit ICDC
You could say Naftali was linked to the Sisit Integrated Child Development Center (ICDC) before he was born. His Grandfather Charles was a key leader in the community and his family embedded in the beautiful scenic hills of Sisit, West Pokot. Naftal’s entry into the world is one that holds a special place in our hearts.
His mother, at 16 years old, pregnant against her will, was strong and determined. When the day came that she went into labor, her father Charles approached Sam who was busy building a foot bridge for the community, and asked if he could provide her a ride to the local clinic. Charles didn’t communicate she was in active labor, and Sam, preoccupied, assumed the appointment was for a mere checkup. He agreed but said he first needed to complete the 2 hours left of tedious construction on that side of the river, then they could go. Charle’s confusion didn’t register with Sam as Charles said “Ok”. When 2 hours was up, Sam jumped in his truck and asked where the girl was. “Oh, she has already started walking”, Charles said. “You’ll find her on the way.”
Sam got in his truck and began driving down the bumpy “almost” road. Soon he approached a group of women on the path, holding up a circle of colorful kangas, obviously shielding something that was going on inside. In seconds, Sam heard the women shrilling and trilling their exclamations of joy! And then, a baby’s cry. Naftali was born!
Mortified that he had misunderstood the situation, Sam cried “Lets get her get in the truck, quick! Let’s go to the clinic!” “Why?” the women asked. “The baby is here. Now she can walk.” Naftaili’s mother gathered him in her arms and began walking with the group of women the rest of the way to the clinic.
Naftali joined the Sisit ICDC in 2018 at age 5. He lived nearby and walked a mile to and from school every day. Quite a daily trek for a little tyke!
“I remember the hot porridge we were given every day at school for snack. It was warm in my belly and tasted delicious. I also remember the fact that at the ICDC, Africa Exchange made a water project, making water available in our community. That was something that had not always been the case. It was quite amazing to have access to a tap where we could fill our jerry cans instead of having to walk 30 minutes down the mountain to the river and 30 minutes back up the mountain, sloshing a heavy jerry can of water on our backs. That is what my family had done for years before that.”
Naftali’s best friend was Dominic Pkiror and they played soccer together every chance they got in their free time. They didn’t always have a soccer ball but made perfectly adequate balls by wrapping banana leaves tightly with twine. And they learned to swing for the first time on the first swing set in the entire area, at the Sisit ICDC!
“I was happy in those days. I loved school and my friends. I felt at home in my community and that I belonged. I hardly realized at such a young age all the things Africa Exchange made possible. Now that I’m in Standard 6 at Sisit Primary School, I can see those ICDC years were the foundation in my development.”
Naftali’s favorite subjects to study these days are English and Math. “I’m not sure what I might study after Secondary School but could imagine doing finance or technology. We’ll have to see how my marks are as the years go by.”
Naftali is only 12. Who knows what the future holds for him? But his life is precious and his potential as a thriving member of his community evident. As he says, one of his favorite hobbies is helping his parents and grandparents with daily chores. What a sweet young man! Africa Exchange has been a lifeline for his development and growth.
In 2022, at our 25th anniversary celebration, through matching funds from a generous donor, an endowment fund was launched specifically to advance our Change for Children program’s Scholar’s Endowment Fund. We invite you to make a donation that will help us realize our goal of consistent, long-term support of this vital opportunity. Click the Donate button above and select “Scholars Endowment Fund” in the drop down menu.