NO POVERTY

Ending Poverty With Access to Education

Written by Ron Sage, TKP Board of Directors, Vice Chair

Ending poverty worldwide is a monumental task. But individuals and organizations are working together to take small, but impactful steps toward the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1): "End poverty in all its forms everywhere.” As an NGO working in deep partnership with our community, The Kilgoris Project uses access to a holistic education as a force for reducing poverty and its catastrophic effects in rural Kenya.

Education is one of the multiple factors needed to end poverty. The rule of law and a functioning government that provides infrastructure like public safety, clean water, electricity, roads, and a healthy environment are examples of other factors. Still, the quality education of children has a compounding impact that extends far beyond the individual.

TKP’s impact on reducing poverty through education is felt in expanding circles: on the individual student, the student’s family, the Kilgoris community, and the country of Kenya.  

Impacts on the student

TKP students will gain a valuable education as they progress from preschool to primary school and beyond. Kilgoris, Kenya is primarily an agricultural community, so without an education, most students will farm the same way their parents do. Access to a quality education gives them more opportunities to increase their income, from learning improved farming techniques to understanding the financial and relational skills needed to run businesses to pursuing professional careers in larger cities in Kenya or abroad. The World Bank finds that each additional year of schooling increases an individual's earnings by 11% (14% for women) in Sub-Saharan Africa (where Kenya is located). 

Education is an especially powerful force in the lives of girls by giving them more confidence and control over their futures. Girls who stay in school are less susceptible to FGM and early marriage. On a larger scale, child marriage reduces the future earnings of child brides by 9% and continues the cycle of early marriage, dropping out of school, and poverty. 

TKP’s Assistant Student Health Officer, Belvin Potishoi, recently shared her thoughts on girls in this community: “The girl child has faced many challenges in my community. They used to believe they would forever amount to nothing. But girls in TKP schools believe more. They have a positive view and vision about education and life and know there are equal opportunities for boys and girls.”

Impacts on the student’s family

Extended families in Kenya will often share resources with each other. The TKP student can share their increased income with their nuclear and extended family. Many send remittances (money) home if they go abroad. For example, Mark Koskei, who is on the TKP board, grew up in Kilgoris (before TKP schools started), did exceptionally well in school, got accepted at Stanford University, and is now doing management consulting in the US and is able to support his family and community, including through TKP.

Students’ increased income will also provide better outcomes and opportunities for their children. One study found that children born to mothers with some secondary education are 29% less likely to suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition.  

Another example within the TKP family is our dedicated and hardworking farmer, Anton Wafula. Anton and his family have stewarded TKP’s land and sustainability program for nearly ten years. He never attended school or learned to read and write, but with the secure income from his job with TKP, Anton and his wife, Irene, send their four children to nearby schools. Anton’s oldest son is now enrolled in a local high school—a first for this family and a clear change of trajectory for this family. Anton’s son and younger children are well on their way to a high-quality education, and their education and future income will support their nuclear and extended family for years to come. 

Impacts on the community of Kilgoris

The community around the city of Kilgoris has many needed roles that all require an excellent education: civil servants, teachers, lawyers, judges, doctors, nurses, engineers, pastors, journalists, and others. It needs entrepreneurs who will start and run businesses that provide services to the community. It needs political leaders who will make wise decisions that benefit the whole community. TKP schools serve as a safe space and first learning environment for these children who may turn out to become some of the crucially needed leaders in their community.

Impacts on the country of Kenya 

There are also many organizations at the national level that need educated citizens to run the country. Medical experts to run public health programs, military leaders to keep the country safe, and entrepreneurs to start businesses, to name a few. For example, David Kuguru, a member of TKP’s US Board of Directors, grew up in Kenya and later joined his family business to co-found a startup soft drink business that created hundreds of jobs. He believes "education is a foundational building block for Kenya's future business leaders who can drive inclusive economic growth to reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity in Kenya."

A country of educated citizens, who are working in roles across Kenyan society will lead to stronger leadership, economic growth, and reduced poverty across the country. A Stanford study concluded that three-fourths of the GDP growth of countries from 1960-2000 can be accounted for by improvements in the math and science scores of students.

By partnering with the Kilgoris community to educate the children of Kilgoris, TKP plays a significant role in combating poverty. When individual students graduate from TKP schools and go on to get higher degrees, their opportunities to improve the quality of life for their communities increase dramatically. From being able to return home with valuable skills to helping develop local infrastructure to working at the national level to serve the country, to earning higher wages elsewhere that can be sent home. We know that TKP students are successful in the classroom, but that’s just the start. Their education is a tool that sets them up for a lifetime of success and giving back to their communities.