Esther Vuguza was born in 2002. She is the fifth-born in a family of five siblings. Esther came from a broken family, and her parents divorced when she was still young. She was raised by a single mother who passed away when Esther was in her third year of high school (Form Three). Her father never supported her mother in raising the children. Esther lives with her elder sister, who has been her guardian since the death of their mother.
Esther attended Kawangware Primary School, where she graduated in 2016 with good marks that earned her admission to Moi Girls High School Nairobi, a national school. She graduated from high school in 2020 and hopes to become a cabin crew member in the future.

Esther has experienced remarkable growth and transformation through the programme. She joined the programme as a timid pupil in Class 4 whose life had been adversely affected by the absence of her father and the abject poverty at home. Our coaches and character tutors became her friends, confidants and mentors. By the time she was in Class 8, Esther had become a confident young lady with great determination to succeed academically and in life.
Esther learnt basic cricket skills and played the game at school, but her true passion and talent lay in music. Our programme encouraged her to pursue what she loved, and Esther became an accomplished violinist in both primary and secondary school. She represented her high school at national music and drama festivals. Esther’s character development and transformation through the programme endeared her to many people, including our trustee, Mr Julian Ince, who fully sponsored her high school education.
Throughout high school, Esther remained active in the programme. She attended holiday sessions as well as academic tuition organised by the programme for students sponsored by our partners. Her passion for music and encouragement from EACDT saw her join the Ghetto Classics Orchestra, sponsored by Safaricom. She started training with the orchestra in Korogocho, Nairobi, soon after high school, and by the end of 2021 she had passed her auditions and joined the main orchestra.
Esther is currently working as a barista in one of the best coffee lounges in Nairobi. She secured the job after an employer approached EACDT for referrals of potential employees. Esther emerged as the best candidate in the interviews and has remained a valuable employee of the firm. She now serves as a barista and roaster, and also keeps records, including stock-taking and the generation of invoices. She continues to carry our flag high at work and in the community.
Esther says:

“EACDT has greatly impacted my life. First, the programme encouraged me to develop my talent in music and complete my high school education on a full scholarship.
Secondly, I was able to cope well with major challenges in my life, such as being raised by a poor single mother without fatherly love; the trauma from the fire that burnt our dormitory in high school and killed ten of my colleagues—I was lucky to jump out of the dormitory; and the stress and depression I experienced when I lost my mother and my academic performance started to decline.
The character traits have positively shaped my life. For example, curiosity helped me ask questions and seek information that enabled me to pass my examinations. When I left high school and entered another phase of life as an adult, I came to appreciate the role of gratitude, enthusiasm and optimism in society. I never fail to show gratitude when something
good comes my way. My optimism in life and passion for what I do have made other people, even strangers, appreciate me and have earned me recognition in the workplace. Besides, I am not easily swayed by other people’s negative opinions. I cope with different situations in different environments, and the most beautiful thing is always finding a better solution.
The programme encouraged me to play the violin to the best of my ability, and I am glad to be part of the Ghetto Classics Orchestra. I also sing and dance, all of which help me express myself as well as entertain other people. I am working towards creating time outside my work schedule to go into the community and teach other children how to play the violin.
EACDT has been my pillar in many ways, including giving me skills and values that I find very useful in my workplace. Discipline matters a great deal, and I strive to uphold it. I am confident and able to speak to gatherings during events and exhibitions organised by our firm.
I engage with different types of people.
Thank you, EACDT, for the wonderful work you are doing.”

Esther’s story illustrates how strong character can help young people overcome adversity, discover their talents and embrace new opportunities. Her journey continues to inspire others, demonstrating that resilience, optimism and determination can open doors to a brighter future.

George Kuria was born in 2002 in a family of seven siblings. He was raised by a single mother in Kawangware after his parents separated when he was only one year old. In 2019, while George was in Form One, his mother passed away and his elder sister became his guardian. The family continues to live in Kawangware where they face significant financial challenges, often struggling to pay rent and meet basic needs.

George joined the EACDT programme while in Class Four at Kawangware Primary School and remained actively involved throughout his education, including during his time at Ruthimitu Mixed Secondary School where EACDT coaches continued mentoring students. His secondary school education was fully sponsored by Mr. Matthew McCormick, an associate of EACDT, who was impressed by George’s character and sporting talent during a cricket tournament.

George says the sponsorship not only paid his school fees but also enabled him to receive regular meals at school, which were often the only meals he had during the day.

The programme helped George develop strong character, resilience, leadership and sporting talent. One of the greatest tests of his resilience came in March 2021 when he was involved in a serious motorbike accident. Having already survived an earlier accident, this second incident left him with broken arms, a broken leg and severe head injuries.

George underwent three major surgeries, including the insertion of metal implants in his shoulder and arm. When one operation failed, he underwent another corrective surgery. Through the support of EACDT and its partners, all hospital bills were cleared, crutches were provided and his recovery was fully supported.

During his recovery, the values taught through the programme—including empathy, generosity, teamwork and gratitude—were demonstrated by fellow participants who voluntarily donated blood when he urgently needed transfusions. Their support, together with optimism and determination, motivated George throughout his recovery.

Today, George has returned to playing competitive cricket for Kongonis Cricket Club and also serves as a volunteer cricket coach in the EACDT Community Cricket and Character Development Programme.

George says:

“My life has been greatly transformed by the programme. I was able to complete my secondary school education through sponsorship by a partner of the programme. I was eating one meal a day or sometimes going without food, but after my school fees were paid I was able to have meals at school every day. I sincerely thank EACDT for that support.

The programme changed my behaviour and attitude. Some of my friends became thieves, some lost their lives and others ended up in prison. Because of the values I learnt through EACDT, especially self-control, I chose a different path. I can now distinguish between good and bad company and make wise decisions.

Self-control has also helped me manage my emotions and remain calm during difficult situations. Perseverance gave me strength to recover after my motorbike accident, while determination keeps me focused on achieving my goals without giving up.

The programme has also helped me become a better cricketer. Through discipline, both on and off the field, I have achieved personal milestones including scoring a century, taking 13 wickets, bowling 10 maiden overs and consistently improving my performance.

In life, I always strive to give my best without expecting anything in return. I want to continue serving my community through coaching and helping young people become better individuals.

May EACDT continue changing lives in our communities.”

George’s remarkable resilience reflects the life-changing impact of Character Education. Despite
experiencing poverty, personal loss and a serious accident, he has remained determined to pursue
his dreams while giving back to his community as both a cricketer and mentor. His story reminds us
that strong character enables young people to overcome even the greatest challenges.

Lavendah was born in 2005 and attended Kawangware Primary School. She passed her examinations and joined Highridge Girls High School. Lavendah has four siblings, including two stepbrothers. She joined the programme in Class 4 at the age of nine. Since then, she has continuously participated in the programme and is currently a player and peer character educator in our Community Cricket and Character Development Programme.
Lavendah’s academic journey was challenging because of poverty at home. She reported to secondary school without school fees and was soon sent home. Fortunately, her positive growth in the programme and good academic performance earned her a full scholarship from EACDT Programme Director, Mr David Waters MBE. The scholarship covered her school fees and all other expenses, including clothing and stationery.
Lavendah says that her strong character foundation has helped her overcome many challenges in life, including when she became critically ill at school and was sent home for medical attention. She also missed classes and examinations while representing Kenya in international cricket tournaments, but she worked hard to recover the lost time and pass her subsequent examinations.
The programme developed Lavendah’s leadership qualities, and her teachers recognised her leadership potential. Her class teacher, Madam Brenda Oduor, encouraged her to run for election as a dining hall prefect when she was in Form Two. Lavendah won the election and served as a dining hall prefect for three years. She also played for the school volleyball team and was a member of the school Mathematics Club.
Lavendah had her first cricket session as a young pupil in Class 4 at Kawangware Primary School. Before then, she had never heard of cricket. She joined our session and became very enthusiastic about the game. Lavendah has grown into a talented cricketer. She joined the Kongonis Youth Development Team and later the Kenya National Women's Team in 2019. Lavendah’s life has transformed greatly, from that of a girl who had hardly travelled outside Kawangware Slums to a young woman who has represented Kenya in international cricket tournaments in Rwanda and Uganda. She also travelled to India for one month of advanced cricket training.
Lavendah is very grateful for the values she has learnt through the programme and for the opportunity to give back to the community by mentoring young boys and girls and teaching them cricket. She is particularly proud that her peer-to-peer character mentoring has yielded positive results. She gives the example of a girl called Dinah, whom she mentored and helped overcome depression. Dinah lived with a single mother who was a drug addict and often violent towards her children. Dinah had
contemplated dropping out of school and running away from home because of her mother’s behaviour. After several mentoring sessions with Lavendah, Dinah became more social, confident and optimistic about life despite the difficult circumstances at home. The conflicts between Dinah and her mother reduced, and she was able to complete her secondary school education.
Lavendah has studied for a Certificate in Social Work and Community Development at the East Africa Institute of Certified Studies in Nairobi. She also works at a plastic manufacturing company in Nairobi, a job she secured through referrals. She is currently visiting the United Kingdom, where she is enhancing her cricket knowledge. She plans to continue developing her cricket career and represent Kenya in more international tournaments. She remains passionate about giving back to the community by volunteering in the programme and supporting other underprivileged children to
develop character and cricket skills. She also hopes to improve her family’s living conditions and move them out of the slum.
Lavendah’s journey shows how Character Education can nurture leadership, unlock potential and create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. From a young girl discovering cricket for the first time to representing Kenya internationally and mentoring others, she continues to demonstrate the lasting impact of character-driven leadership.

Born in 2001, Yvonne was raised in Kangemi Slums.
She attended Kihumbuini Primary School, where she first became engaged in our programme.
She writes:

“My two sisters and I have been raised by a single mother. Our family is very poor because my mum is jobless. That made me drop out of secondary school in Form 4 to look for a job so I could help pay the bills. Currently, I work as a sales lady in a boutique. Ever since primary school, I have been practising the character traits in my day-to-day life.
The coaches were very instrumental in my growth. Before the programme, I was a very shy girl. I couldn’t talk in front of our class or any group of people. However, applying the character traits changed me. Now I can confidently make speeches in front of a gathering, and I interact well with other people at work.
Growing up as a teenage girl, I faced many challenges, to the point of almost giving up. Some days we went without food, but the coaches encouraged me not to give up. Some of my best friends became pregnant while they were still teenagers.
My future aspirations are to live a better life than the one I inherited, become a role model and a source of inspiration to many young people who have hard times as I did. I would particularly like to mentor girls in Kangemi because I know the challenges children in the slums experience. EACDT coaches did wonders in our school. Without them, I don’t know if I could even have reached Form 4.”

Yvonne,s story demonstrates how character development can unlock confidence and resilience, even in the face of significant hardship. Today, she continues to apply the values she learnt through EACDT in her daily life and is determined to inspire and mentor other young girls growing up in challenging circumstances.

Now aged 21, Byron was born and raised in Kangemi Slums.
He attended New Kihumbuini Primary School, where he first took part in EACDT’s Schools Programme before moving on to secondary school. He is now a dancer with a group called Stomerz Ultimate Dance Crew, which appears regularly on Kenya Television Network’s Saturday evening broadcasts.
This is what he has to say:

“The character traits I developed through EACDT have been very effective in my life. They have helped to change my life. They have shaped my attitude and the way I relate to other people. Since I chose to practise self-control and determination, they have also kept me away
from drugs.
Besides helping me develop good character, EACDT also taught me to play cricket. I play for Kongonis Cricket Club and also volunteer as a coach. In addition, I umpire cricket matches whenever I get the opportunity. Together with my dancing, this helps me earn a living.
I am so grateful for the platform EACDT gave to me and my friends.
Without EACDT, I would probably have become a drug addict by now and a person without goals, ambition or vision in life. My dream is to learn about cameras and television production despite my current financial challenges.”

Byron’s story highlights the power of positive choices and strong character. Through self-control, determination and perseverance, he has transformed his life, built a career around his talents and continues to inspire other young people to pursue purposeful and productive lives.

Born in 1999, Peter Oloishorua Kakaya was raised in Isinya, Kajiado County, and was engaged by EACDT during his school years. After secondary school, he enrolled at Kibabii University, where he is now in his final year pursuing a degree in Criminology.
He writes:

“I come from a very humble family and live with both parents in a polygamous family. I am the third-born and the only child to have gone to university. The EACDT programme has been one of the most important and life-changing training programmes I have ever gone through. It
has shaped me into the person I am today. The coaches encouraged me to face life with positivity, become socially intelligent and work hard. That is why I do casual jobs as a night security guard during academic breaks to earn money for my upkeep at university.
I literally practise all the key character traits every day:

First, Gratitude and Social Intelligence have really helped me build good rapport, make new friends at home and at university, become socially influential, and develop leadership abilities.
This year, I was elected as a Student Faculty Representative for the 2023/2024 academic year.
Secondly, Determination has helped me continue pursuing my dreams without losing focus. It is not easy to overcome cultural and economic challenges in our Maasai community without someone having your back, the way the EACDT coaches did for me. Self-Control has also helped me avoid dangerous activities such as drug and substance abuse, which are rampant at the university.
Thirdly, Curiosity enables me to keep learning through consultations and research. Seeking information is empowering in every area of life.
I always believe that what tomorrow holds is better, despite the situation I come from. I’m looking forward to completing my degree, gaining meaningful employment, continuing my journey in cricket as a player, and giving back to my community as a trainer for junior cricketers. I will always share the importance of character with others, including my future
children.
Thanks to EACDT for the wonderful lessons about life.”

Peter’s journey is a testament to the power of character in overcoming economic and social barriers.
Through determination, gratitude and self-control, he has become a university student, a student leader and a role model who is committed to giving back to his community and inspiring the next generation.