Agnes
(writen by Marcella Bos, December 2018)

Agnes (1994) is a young ambitious woman at the age of 19 when she joins the first MasterPeace Walk in Maasailand. A 100 km Peace and Conservation Walk in the footsteps of Joseph Thomson. During the walk in Maasailand with 20 Maasai warriors and women, with 20 westerners and 10 youngsters from Nairobi she learns a lot and constantly feels empowered to achieve her goals.
Agnes, at that time, has the desire to find a husband by her own choice and not via an arranged marriage. This is very rare in her community, however Agnes has the support of her parents in this. From that time she becomes a changemaker and a role model for other young women. (check out https://vimeo.com/106647477 password: maasailand)

In 2014 Agnes starts her study Business Management at Maasai Mara University in Kajiado. In 2017 she finishes this study. Meanwhile she is participant in the next 2 MasterPeace Walks.
In 2016 Agnes initiated an initiative to empower the women, as the inequality between man and women leads to a lot of abuse. Together with some other young women she visits the villages in her community and informs the young girls about the importance of education and stimulates them to go to school. Agnes has a lot of self-esteem and is determined in her mission. More girls should go to school and she wants to contribute to that, as education is the portal to change. (You can read the story of Agnes in the book “Young Masters of Peace- How to be a Nelson”- ISBN 978-94-92649-01-0)
Agnes wants to further develop herself. She wants to acquire more skills and that’s why she wants to go to Nairobi University to study Bachelor of Commerce.

In 2017, in a period of severe draught, Agnes and her self-chosen husband become parents of a son called Joseph. For Agnes the desire to study and to become self-reliant remains. Together with her husband and family Agnes explores what would be a hindrance for her in achieving her goal. She found support of both her husband and mother in taking care of the son and in financial support for the costs of living in Nairobi. For the planned period of 3 years of study they will support her in her needs and mental and emotional as well.
Finally in 2018 the paperwork was finished and the admission to the Nairobi University was arranged. With the support of StandUp4Talent for the school fees Agnes can start her study January 2019

Agnes is very happy and grateful with the opportunity she gets via the support of StandUp4Talent:
“It is my belief that with the Study Bachelor of Commerce I will acquire skills that can be useful in both self-employment and in the corporate world. I want to promise StandUp4Talent and my family that I am resolute and determined to achieve my goal and God willing bring smiles to all your faces. I believe with your support no amount of challenge can prevent me from this dream”