Maimuna is a 15-year-old Luhya girl from Laikipia East and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2028. She comes from an area called Thingithu, where many families face poverty and insecurity. Maimuna lives with her mother and six siblings in a small one-room house made of timber and iron sheets. Her mother rarely finds work, making it difficult to meet basic needs. Maimuna has experienced many hardships growing up, including frequent interruptions to her schooling due to a lack of fees, mental health challenges, and an unstable family situation.
Despite these challenges, she has remained determined to continue her education. In primary school, Maimuna served as a peer counselor, demonstrating compassion and leadership among her classmates. She enjoys ball games, scouting, singing, reading, and socializing with others. Maimuna dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon so she can help people and make a difference through medicine.
She believes women are powerful because they believe in themselves and the change they can create. She describes arriving at Daraja as the moment she no longer felt sad or lonely. A place where she can grow, belong, and build a brighter future.
