The second cohort of the Expanding Horizons (EH) Club at Makaalu Secondary School graduated on July 28, 2025. The club began in 2023 with 26 Form 2 students. Despite some transfers, 21 students successfully completed the program and graduated today. The event was vibrant and filled with smiles, confidence, and testimonies of growth.
Throughout the program, students were equipped with seven key strengths which include Belonging, Leadership, Friendship, Kindness, Courage, Confidence, and Hope and life skills including integrity, curiosity, personal etiquette, empathy, community service, communication, STEM, internet safety & social media use, and conflict resolution. In addition to these, they received career guidance from different speakers throughout the 3 years.
This cohort was particularly special, as they also participated in the Lifelines environmental program, including the Greening Wamunyu Project and establishing a tree nursery. They even planted trees at the Kenya Connect Resource Centre and at home during Earth Day, becoming passionate environmental advocates at a young age.
At the beginning, most students were shy, timid,unsure of themselves, and struggled to speak in front of others.Many testified that they could not stand infront of the class and talk. That has changed significantly. “Before the program, I couldn’t speak in front of others. Now, I can talk confidently and without fear. I believe in myself,” shared one graduate. “I feel I belong, and I accept myself more.”
Students have also benefited from attending school camps and trips to Nairobi, gaining exposure and expanding their horizons. Mutemwa, a student who was the MC of the day, commented, “I have benefitted and grown so much through this program, It was my first time ever to be in Nairobi during a trip to USIU & The Radix hotel, and I got to know many new things”.
To promote literacy, and create love for reading, we do read aloud sessions in every session. Can you guess how many books have been read in a period of 3 years? The impact created? Read aloud is done in every session. “A House For Hermit Crab by Eric Carle” was our first read-aloud book. Brave, We’re Different, We’re The Same By Bobbi Jane Kates, Animal Village By Nelda La Teef, Be You! By Peter H. Reynolds, Little Monkeys Lost By Keith DuQuette, the list is countless! These sessions improved the students’ listening, vocabulary, pronunciation, writing, creativity, and confidence.Students now confidently lead read-alouds themselves and regularly borrow books using library cards. “I had a problem reading, but I’ve improved so much. Now, I can read fluently and even speak in front of others,” said Patrick Mwaka.“Visiting the library and the trip to USIU in Nairobi opened my mind and inspired me. I urge my fellow students to make use of the library and read the books.”
The graduation was notably student led. The MC and program facilitators were students, who showcased their leadership, planning, and public speaking skills. They confidently addressed the audience, including the principal and teachers, including when conducting the read aloud.
“EH Club has expanded our minds and imaginations. We have gone beyond, I could not stand and speak infront of people. But now I can, the program has enabled me to talk without fear, how to relate well with people as we learned on personal etiquette,” shared Tabitha.
The school principal, Madam Janet, added: “You’ve been equipped with life skills that will serve you for life. You are now different from your peers ,go out and make an impact. Thank you, Kenya Connect, for this incredible investment in our youth, you have truly invested in a whole generation. Your love for the young generation, community and education is remarkable.”
