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Tabitha Tongoi, Kenya

When Tabitha Tongoi first learned from a Ministry of Education report that the lack of textbooks is a key obstacle to education in marginalized communities across Kenya, she sprung into action. A few weeks later, Tabitha had launched Project ABC (“A Book for Change”) at Kenya High School. Her aims were threefold: to sensitize the school community about issues affecting disadvantaged youth in Kenya; to provide a platform for Kenya High School students to donate old textbooks; and to raise sponsorship for talented but disadvantaged students at her school.

Over the last year, Tabitha’s Project ABC has enabled the donation of over 3,000 books and initiated a partnership with award-winning musician Eric Wainaina to organize a charity concert. Of her success with Project ABC, this self-described “child of mama Africa” says, “I hope to build on this foundation and begin a movement that will empower marginalized communities.” With her peers at Kenya High already volunteering to tutor students in these communities, it seems that the movement has already begun.

After ALA, Tabitha plans to study human rights law and “serve Africa through legislative action, advocacy, policy-making, and a range of educational interventions…that will improve the quality of education and offer an important escape from poverty.”