Patricia Wanjiru Chege is the second-born child in a family of three siblings, including her two brothers. Patricia lost her father in 2019 when she was only 13 years old. She was left under the care of her mother, who worked various casual jobs, such as digging and weeding, to earn income for the family’s basic needs. Because casual jobs are scarce and pay little, Patricia’s mother struggled to meet her children’s needs. Although she managed to enroll Patricia in secondary school, maintaining the school fees was a challenge. As a result, Patricia was often out of school from time to time due to fee balances, which negatively impacted her self-esteem.
In 2022, Patricia was in form 2 at Gatuanyaga Secondary school when she was supported by the Taji scholarship program, which allowed her to remain in school consistently. This support boosted her self-esteem and confidence, and she developed leadership skills .
This amazing young woman is a natural leader. Currently, Patricia is the head girl of Gatuanyaga Secondary School and the Taji class representative. She connects with everyone, teaching kids soccer drills and inspiring people to take action on causes she cares about. A talented team player with impressive dance skills ,she’s one of our best soccer players, and her dream is to go pro! We’re so proud to support her journey.
Patricia’s mother, one of the women empowered by Taji, started a general shop near her home. The business is doing well and provides a steady income, allowing her to meet her family’s basic needs without difficulty. As a result, Patricia no longer has to attend school on an empty stomach.
