A village celebrates success

In 2015 Michelle Tikoyan completed high school at Pemwai Girls’ Secondary School in the Rift Valley, Kenya. She passed with flying colors and will be the first person in her family to go to college. Michelle is one of 6 children brought up a by single mother with no job or family wealth to support her children. Michelle’s parents separated when she was very young and neighbors have been helping her mother feed the kids and send them to the local primary school. Joining GTL in 2012 gave Michelle a chance to attend high school, and 4 years later she is headed to college.

Michelle Tikoyan in 2013 as a GTL high
school student

Michelle with her family on graduation

When the national examination results were announced in early 2016, the village of Simtaan, rose up in song and dance. One of their very own has passed well enough to go the College. This is like a miracle, where the majority of the residents, both male and female have never seen the inside of a classroom. Most girls are traditionally married off as soon as they reach puberty.

Michelle Tikoyan’s village, Simtaan celebrate her graduation from high school