In Kibera, Africa’s largest urban slum, fourteen-year-old Cynthia was living in a single-room home shared with her mother and four siblings. Life in Kibera is a daily struggle – no running water, sporadic electricity, and open sewers are a part of the everyday reality. For Cynthia’s family, putting food on the table was a constant challenge, and school fees were often an unaffordable luxury.
Amid these hardships, Cynthis discovered a joy in running. At first barefoot, she ran through alleyways, chasing tyres, and dodging corners. What began as play soon became purpose.
In 2019, her life took a turn when she joined Kings Rugby Development Academy (KRDA) through their girls’ outreach program. KRDA works exclusively with children from Kibera, aged 5 to 19, using rugby as a tool to provide education, mentorship, and life skills, paving the way out of poverty.
Despite deeply rooted cultural and gender stereotypes, Cynthia showed up relentlessly. Her speed was undeniable, but so was her leadership. She quickly became a standout player and a role model for her peers.
KRDA equipped Cynthia not just with rugby boots, but something far more valuable: belief. They provided mentorship, school support, and a platform where she could thrive. She rose to captain the U14 girls’ team and led them to victory at the Safari 7s tournament.
Her performance didn’t go unnoticed. A local sponsor, with the aid of The Atlas Foundation and KRDA, stepped in to secure Cynthia a full four-year scholarship to attend Kinale Girls Secondary School, one of the top schools in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley.
“I didn’t know rugby could take me to school… now I want to study hard and become a doctor and help girls like me believe they can do more.”
Cynthia’s story is just one example of how rugby can better children’s lives. KRDA is providing children, like Cynthia, the opportunity to see their individual worth and fulfil their potential, uplifting the youth of Kibera out of hopeless poverty.
