Programmes
Built to carry a girl from school to a livelihood.
Three flagship programmes are launching now — Scholars Fund, Inuka and Hela Smart. Everything else on this page, including other programmes inside those same pillars, is still work in progress — we would rather tell you exactly where we are than imply more than is running.
Education
Nuru — light
To ensure high school children can receive an education without barriers to access.
Scholars Fund
Launching October 2026also proposed as Fursa Scholars · Nuru ScholarsFully funded scholarships for high-performing students, awarded on academic and extracurricular achievement.
- Twenty new students supported with full scholarships each year
- Open to students finishing primary school and enrolling in high school
- Funding also available for qualifying university students
- Digital literacy and connectivity support in rural schools
Her Path, Her Power
In developmentGirls' empowerment: safe spaces, menstrual health, and reintegration support for teenage mothers.
FutureHer
In developmentCareer exposure and future planning for young women in high school and college.
- Career talks from professionals in aviation, law, medicine, business, tech and the trades
- “Beyond the Desk” career days for both university-track and vocational-track students
- Mentorship matching, especially with women who have taken non-linear paths
- Job-shadow placements so students see a workplace before committing to a path
Entrepreneurship
Inuka — rise up
To reduce unemployment by funding start-ups and business opportunities for women and young people, as a stepping stone to further employment.
Inuka
Launching October 2026Inuka means “rise.” Vocational bootcamps paired with angel-investor-style business grants, taking young women from no trade to a funded first business.
- Cohort training in a trade, run with established industry partners
- A model designed to repeat across trades — tailoring, hairdressing, agribusiness — without restructuring
- The Business Grant works like an angel-investor fund for TVET students and young entrepreneurs: applicants develop and present an innovative, sustainable business idea, and qualifying ideas are funded to train and set up the business
- Recipients get business classes, mentorship and one-to-one meetings with industry leaders and investors during the funding period
- An alumni network and connections to further investors who may go on to back the business
Entrepreneurial Fellowship
In developmentYear-long placements for university students completing the internship required before graduation.
- Open to students in their third and fourth years
- Placements at the Foundation and partner organisations, for one year and no more than two
- Up to fifty university and post-university students each year, admitted by application
Financial Inclusion
Hela — money
To support financial literacy and access among Kenyan youth, particularly women, at-risk young people and persons with disabilities.
Hela Smart
Launching October 2026Financial literacy classes held at the Foundation's campus.
- Savings, investment and everyday money management
- How to access credit facilities
Pesa Bila Wasiwasi
In development“Money without worry.” Conditional cash transfers to women-led households, within a social protection framework.
- Steady support so households can raise their standard of living over time
- Transfers tied to clear conditions, such as keeping girls enrolled in school
Disaster recovery
Imarisha — strengthen
To provide direct, practical recovery support to women, girls and displaced households after climate-related disasters, closing the gap left when official response stops at documentation and never reaches reconstruction.
Imarisha Fund
In developmentalso proposed as Rebuild Her Home · Stand AgainA standing emergency fund the Foundation can deploy quickly, rather than waiting on slow donor processes.
- Emergency shelter and rebuilding grants, prioritising women-led and girl-headed households
- Protection-first response in the first 72 hours, when displaced women and girls face the highest risk
- Trauma counselling and psychosocial support for survivors
- Rebuilding that reduces future vulnerability — raised foundations, safer materials, relocation from known floodplains
- Using documented case data to press for faster official disaster response
Fund a pillar into existence.
Disaster recovery is designed and waiting on funding, and every pillar above has programmes still in development alongside its live flagship. If your organisation works in any of these areas, there is a ready-made partnership here.