Description
When I first walked onto the campus of the University of Eldoret, I was a green, eager student with little experience in programming. I knew I wanted to explore the vast world of technology, but I had no idea the incredible journey I was about to embark on. The early days were filled with challenges and uncertainty, but they were also fueled by an insatiable curiosity to learn and grow.
As I navigated through my first year, I dove into online tech events and a few on-campus meetups, trying to absorb everything I could. My passion for tech, combined with my relentless pursuit of knowledge, soon began to shape my path. In my second year, I focused on upskilling, putting in hours to learn coding, web development, and software engineering. I realized that success would not come easily, but with hard work and perseverance, I could overcome any obstacle. My efforts paid off when I was selected as one of the top 5% of my cohort to join the prestigious Gold Fellowship program—a pivotal moment in my journey.
But my path was never without setbacks. After applying for the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors (MLSA) program and facing rejection, I didn’t give up. I applied again with even more determination and was selected. The same story unfolded with my application to become the Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC) Lead. My first attempt wasn’t successful, but I took the rejection as fuel to improve and came back stronger. This persistence paid off, and I was entrusted with the role of GDSC Lead, a title that would allow me to drive change, lead initiatives, and unite the tech community at the University of Eldoret.
As the Web Development Lead for GDSC, I hosted events aimed at improving web development literacy, helping my peers gain crucial skills that would help them in their tech careers. But I didn’t stop there. I began to foster a sense of community, creating spaces where students could connect, learn, and grow together. I gained traction, raised awareness, and built momentum within the tech ecosystem on campus. When I became the GDSC Lead, I took on the mantle of leadership with the goal of not just organizing events or hackathons, but of truly impacting lives. I mentored aspiring developers, spoke at conferences, and helped shape the future of the tech community both at the university and in the broader Eldoret area. The energy and excitement I felt as I watched others grow alongside me were what kept me going.
In addition to my role with GDSC, I expanded my influence as the IEEE Chairperson, where I was tasked with reviving the student branch. My focus was not just on the revival, but on ensuring it became a vibrant hub of innovation and knowledge. The journey hasn’t always been easy—there were many long nights, challenges, and moments of doubt. But through it all, I’ve seen the tech ecosystem in Eldoret and at the University of Eldoret flourish. The most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing students, who were once as uncertain as I was, now take on leadership roles, organize events, and impact others with their own knowledge and passion.
As I stand on the cusp of completing my final year as a Computer Science student, I look back with immense pride. From the early days of self-doubt to leading multiple student organizations, my story is a testament to what passion, perseverance, and a desire to give back can achieve. Today, I am not just a student, but a visionary leader who has helped usher in a new era of tech enthusiasts in Eldoret City and at the University of Eldoret.
My work with organizations like GDSC, MLSA, IEEE, Postman, and volunteering in GDG Eldoret has been about more than just leadership titles. It’s been about transforming lives—helping individuals discover their potential, equipping them with skills for the future, and creating a ripple effect of innovation in our community. The recognition of this award would not only validate the hard work and dedication I've put into the tech community but also inspire future generations of tech enthusiasts to follow their passions and never give up.
I’ve always believed that tech has the power to change the world, and through my journey, I’ve seen firsthand how it can transform not just careers, but entire communities. I am proud to have played a part in shaping the future of tech at the University of Eldoret and beyond. This journey is just the beginning, and I am excited to see where it leads.
University of Eldoret
