As a young girl, I watched my peers fall into the cycle of poverty, unable to complete their education. My family did their best but the odds were heavy. Still, I held on to something stronger than circumstances – HOPE. Despite the many challenges, I’ve always known one thing I wanted, A DIFFERENT life. Not just for myself, but for my family. We didn’t have much growing up, but we had each other. Our bond as sisters gave me strength, and our prayers gave me hope.

I currently live with my aunt in Mukuru. It’s a place full of resilience, but also a place where dreams are often cut short by reality. Still, I chose to dream. I chose to work hard, even when school fees were uncertain, even when I had to study under the dim light of a shared bulb, even when giving up would’ve been easier.

Then something beautiful happened. Through the internship program after High school, I was awarded the AGF Scholarship. That was the turning point in my Life. The Scholarship didn’t just pay my school fees It gave me back MY DREAM. It reminded me that even a flower can bloom in the middle of a concrete.

Today, I’m the only one in my family in university and that makes me the pride of my home. Not because I am better, but because I carry the dreams of my mother, my sisters, my aunt, and every young girl back in the slum who wishes for a chance.

I am currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Information Technology at KCA University, and it’s been an exciting journey so far. I’ve always been passionate about Technology and how it can solve real-world problems, and this course has given me a chance to explore that deeply.

It was through the AGF scholarship that my life began to shift. It didn’t just pay my school fees it restored my faith in my future. It told me, "Neema, your story matters."

Being in campus is more than just academics. It’s about becoming a voice for the voiceless, a light where there's been darkness, and a reminder that your background does not define your worth.

To any young girl growing up in Mukuru, feeling forgotten or unseen — you are powerful. You are worthy. You are not alone.

And to AGF and everyone who believes in stories like mine:

Thank you for turning my silent prayers into reality.

This is only the beginning. My name is Neema Maulidi, and I carry my roots with pride as I rise.