EDUCATE. END POVERTY

We provide access to secondary education for high-potential students from rural Kenya who would otherwise drop out due to financial barriers

Early intervention at transition to high school
Long-term academic sponsorship
Gender balance (63% girls supported)
Performance above national averages

We do not just fund school fees, we build academic continuity and long-term opportunity

OUR RESULTS

123
Students
2026 Academic Year
78
Girls (63%)
Empowered through education
47
Schools
Partner schools across Kenya
367
Avg KCPE/KJSEA
Entry exam score (Range: 305–408)
CHF 500
Per Student
Annual full sponsorship

🌟 Student Success Stories

Felista Waithera - GMF Student
Remarkable Progress
Felista Waithera

Entered with KCPE 317 and achieved Grade A (80%) — +25% improvement. A powerful demonstration of what academic support can unlock.

Lewis - GMF Student
Our Recent Hero
Lewis

Recruited from a remote village in December 2023, Lewis achieved straight A grades for 2 consecutive years. Proof that talent exists everywhere — opportunity does not.

📊 Our Impact: Outperforming National Averages

Top 10% recruitment: Our KCPE/KJSEA entry scores show the strength of our selection — identifying high-potential students from rural villages across Kenya.

Outstanding achievement: 68% of our high school students reach Grade A or B, compared to 16% national average — that’s 4.25× higher.

With the right support, rural students can excel at the highest levels.

Our foundation students
68%
Grade A or B
vs
National Average
16%
Grade A or B
 

We are a Swiss non-profit, founded in 2012 by Kenyan-born Anderson Macharia Gakundi to honor his father, Joseph Gakundi Gateru, co-founder of Kiawamururu Primary School

VALUES & TEAM

Direct Impact

We believe talent is universal and opportunity is not. Our mission is to close that gap

Collaboration

We work closely with local communities, schools, volunteers and partners.

Respect

We honor local culture, empower local leadership, and engage with communities in a way that values their local knowledge and dignity

Simplicity

We operate with a lean, low-cost structure, focusing on our only 1 mission, supporting disadvantaged children Education

Transparency

We ensure transparent reporting on the use of funds and provide clear, measurable results to donors, beneficiaries and stakeholders

Secondary school is the turning point
If we intervene at 13–15 years old, we change the trajectory of a life

OUR MODEL

Local action

Focus in Nyeri County, partnering with village committees, Primary schools & now few Secondary schools

Direct collaboration with High Schools

Direct payment of school invoices, covering tuition cost, uniform, books, accommodation, food & transport

3 Pillars for impact

Access (Financial barrier removal)
Performance (Academic monitoring & mentorship)
Equity (Gender balance & rural focus)

Our selection process

Scouted by local committees
Application dossier
Preselection and individual interviews
Home visits

7% administrative cost

Only volunteers for the past years
Regular Financial Audits

Collage of people at various stages of an application process, including forming groups, filling out documents, reviewing paperwork, attending lectures, and undergoing interviews. Text overlay reads: 'Application dossier - Pre-selection - Interviews - Selection day - Home visits.'

2026 PROMOTION

A young boy in a school uniform standing in a classroom, looking up with a neutral expression.
A young man standing indoors, wearing a white button-up shirt and dark pants, with a serious expression on his face.
A young man with dark skin and short black hair standing indoors near a window, wearing a white T-shirt with black-striped collar and sleeves, and light gray pants.
A young man with dark skin and short curly hair wearing a white t-shirt and black pants, standing outdoors next to a yellow wall and a blue window.
A young boy in a school uniform with glasses, standing indoors near a yellow wall with a window in the background.
A young girl in school uniform standing in a school hallway.
A girl in a school uniform standing in an outdoor corridor, smiling at the camera.
A young girl in a school uniform standing in a corridor with windows and other students in the background.
A young girl in a school uniform stands outdoors beside a building with brick and plaster walls, under an open corridor, and looks at the camera with a gentle smile.
A young girl in school uniform, wearing a white shirt with a red tie, a plaid skirt, and a black jacket, stands outdoors near a building with open windows and smiling at the camera.
A young girl with braids standing outside a building with open windows, looking to the side with a neutral expression, wearing a dark zip-up jacket and a plaid skirt.
A young girl in school uniform standing in front of a brick and wood wall, with open windows, in a school corridor.
A young girl in a school uniform standing outside a building, with open windows behind her.
A young girl wearing a school uniform standing outside a building with open windows, looking at the camera.
A young girl in school uniform standing outdoors near a building with windows and open shutters.
A young girl in a school uniform standing outside a building, with a slight smile on her face.
A smiling young girl in a school uniform standing outdoors next to a building with open windows.
A young man wearing a light blue shirt, black tie, and black pants standing in a hallway with yellow walls and blue window frames.
A young boy in a school uniform standing in a hallway with yellow walls and blue window frames, facing the camera.
A schoolboy in a light blue shirt with school emblem, red tie, and black trousers standing in a school corridor.
A young girl in a school uniform standing outdoors near a wooden building with windows, looking directly at the camera.
A young girl in a school uniform standing inside a building near a window, smiling at the camera.
A young girl in school uniform standing in an outdoor corridor.
A young girl in a green school uniform standing outdoors, smiling with her hands clasped in front of her.
A young girl wearing a green school uniform with a white shirt, striped tie, and a green sweater with an embroidered emblem. She stands outside near a building with a window and other students in the background.
A young girl in a green school uniform standing outside a school building, smiling at the camera.
A young African boy in a school uniform standing in a school corridor, looking at the camera.
A young boy dressed in a white shirt and striped tie standing in a school hallway.
A young boy standing outdoors near a school building with yellow walls and blue windows, wearing a navy blue jacket with a crest.
A young man in a school uniform standing in a corridor, wearing a white shirt, navy blue and yellow striped tie, gray pants, and a wristwatch.
A young male student in a school uniform standing in front of a yellow wall and window with blue frames.
A girl with braided hair wearing a pink Columbia fleece jacket, holding a piece of paper, standing in front of a pink and brown wooden wall with a window.
A young girl in a school uniform standing outside a school building, holding a name tag.
Young boy in school uniform standing by a building with yellow walls and blue window frames.
A young boy standing in front of a wooden wall with a window, holding a piece of paper, wearing a blue and white sports jacket with a logo on the chest.
A young boy standing indoors in front of a painted wall and a window, wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, blue pants with 'GUCCI' written on them, and holding papers. He has a short hairstyle and is wearing a beaded necklace.
A schoolboy in a maroon sweater and blue shirt standing in a corridor of a school building.
Young girl standing indoors in front of a window, wearing a black zip-up hoodie with white and yellow accents, holding a gray cloth and pen, looking at the camera.
A young girl with dark skin and braided hair stands indoors in front of a colorful wooden wall and window. She is wearing a black turtleneck sweater and looks directly at the camera.
A young boy stands in front of a red and black windowed wall, wearing a white shirt with light blue patterns, a blue and white jacket, and grey sweatpants. He holds a paper and pen in his hands, looking directly at the camera with a serious expressio
A young girl with short hair and dark skin standing outdoors in front of a pink wall and a window, wearing a navy blue and gray jacket over a brown dress, holding a white paper and a pen, with a slight smile.
A young girl with braided hair wearing a red jacket with a patterned green dress underneath is holding a piece of white paper standing inside a building with a pink and brown wall and a window behind her.
A young woman with dark skin and braided hair, wearing a white dress with pink and brown floral patterns, stands in front of a pink and brown wall holding a piece of paper and a pen.
A young woman standing indoors in front of a wooden wall and a window, wearing a maroon hoodie with 'VIRGINIA TECH' printed on it, a pink bandana, and patterned pants, holding a piece of paper and a purple item.
A young boy standing indoors, holding a blank white paper and a marker, in front of a pink wall and a window with a view of trees outside.
A young woman with dark skin and curly hair tied up, wearing a black zip-up jacket and a white skirt with red and blue pattern, standing outside in front of a rustic, pink and brown wall with window panes.
A young girl with braided hair standing in front of a pink and brown wall near a window.
A young girl wearing a yellow sweater and a patterned skirt standing indoors in front of a window with a pink wall behind her.
A woman wearing glasses, a black jacket, and a patterned dress holding a rolled-up piece of paper and a pen, standing outdoors in front of a pink wall and a window.
A young woman standing outside in front of a window with a pink wall. She is wearing a black jacket and a white skirt with small red and pink flowers, looking directly at the camera.
A young boy in a gray zip-up jacket holding a white piece of paper or notebook, standing in front of a colorful wooden wall with pink, orange, and brown hues.
A young girl with braided hair, wearing a navy blue top and a white jacket with red and black checkered pattern, holding a pen and paper, standing against a wooden and pink wall.
A young woman with braided hair, wearing a yellow jacket and an orange T-shirt that says 'TORCH SKY OUTLET,' standing in front of a pink wooden wall.
A young girl with short hair, wearing a dark gray hoodie with the words 'gentle with the young' printed in black, standing indoors in front of a pink wall with black window frames. She is holding a small notebook or paper and a pen in her right hand.
A young woman with short hair wearing a red fleece jacket standing in front of a pink and brown wooden wall.
A young girl wearing a knit hat and a black hoodie with red and white text, standing indoors in front of a pink and orange wooden wall.
A young boy standing indoors, wearing a blue zip-up jacket with white stripes and a school emblem, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.
A young boy with dark skin and short hair, wearing a gray zip-up jacket over a light blue T-shirt, standing indoors in front of a pink wall and a window.
A young man standing in front of a pink and brown wooden wall, wearing a short-sleeved striped polo shirt.
A young girl with braided hair and a slight smile, holding a piece of paper and a pen, standing against a pink and orange wall.
A young girl wearing a yellow hoodie is standing indoors against a colorful wooden wall, looking at the camera.
A young boy with short hair wearing a traditional orange-brown embroidered shirt, standing indoors in front of a pink and orange wall.
A young woman wearing a headscarf, a gray sweater, and a black jacket with a pen in her pocket, standing in front of a pink wooden wall.
A young boy with a serious expression, wearing a blue jacket with a school or organization emblem on it, standing indoors against a pink and orange wall.
A young boy stands outside a building with pink and brick walls, wearing a green Chelsea football jersey, holding papers and a green pen.
A young boy in a gray jacket and school uniform standing outdoors in front of a pink painted wall and window.
A young girl in a school uniform standing outdoors in front of a wooden wall and window.
A young girl with dark skin and short hair stands indoors in front of a window and a colorful wall. She is wearing a yellow T-shirt and a long, patterned skirt. Her hands are clasped in front of her and she looks directly at the camera.
A young girl standing outdoors in front of a pink-painted wooden wall, wearing a white t-shirt, black jacket, and black pants, holding a piece of paper.
Young girl in a red long-sleeve shirt and plaid jumper holding a pen and paper, standing in front of a pink and brown wall with a window.
A young boy with dark skin and short hair stands indoors in front of a weathered pink wooden wall. He is wearing a red hoodie with the words 'Live Simple' printed on the chest and a blue floral shirt underneath. He holds a piece of paper and a pen in
A young girl with braided hair standing in front of a rustic red wall with a window behind her. She wears a light blue and gray zip-up hoodie, patterned pants, and holds a piece of paper with a pen in her hand.
A young girl in a school uniform standing indoors, holding a notebook and a blue pen. She is wearing a white shirt, a green vest with a school logo, and a striped tie. Behind her is a window with a view of trees outside.
A young girl standing in front of a wooden wall, wearing a red hoodie with white and blue embroidery and a colorful skirt, holding a piece of paper in her right hand.
A young boy wearing a blue shirt and black jacket, standing indoors in front of a pink wooden wall, holding a piece of paper.
A young boy with short hair and dark skin, wearing a turquoise T-shirt with white text, standing indoors near a window and pink wall.
A girl standing inside a building with pink walls, holding a document, wearing a red hoodie with white and black lettering, and a blue headscarf.
Young girl wearing a pink knit cap and black hoodie, holding papers, standing indoors with pink and brown wooden wall behind her.
A young girl standing indoors, wearing a black Abercrombie & Fitch hoodie with a red shirt underneath, and holding a piece of paper.
A young girl with braided hair wearing a red sweatshirt that says 'VARIOUS MILITARY' standing indoors against pink and brown walls.
Young boy with dark skin wearing a beige knit beanie, a blue plaid shirt, and a dark jacket, standing in front of a pink wall and wooden background.
Young man wearing a green jacket and gray hoodie, standing in front of a blackboard.
A person wearing a pink jacket and green shirt standing outdoors with a blurred leafy background.
Person wearing a hoodie and hat stands in front of a chalkboard with writing.
Person wearing a gray hoodie with a large letter 'A', smiling in an indoor setting.
Student standing in front of a chalkboard in school
Young person in a green T-shirt stands in front of a chalkboard.
Person in a white lace top and pink polka dot skirt standing outdoors with crossed arms.
Young woman wearing a blue "Charlotte" basketball jersey with number 5, smiling.
A person smiling at the camera, with red braided hair and wearing a green and gray jacket over a pink shirt. The background is a light-colored wall.
Person wearing a black beanie and dark sweater standing in front of a chalkboard with educational content written on it.
Young girl with braided hair wearing a blue T-shirt outdoors.
A young person with braided hair is wearing a white turtleneck and a red patterned vest, standing indoors.
A person with braided hair and beaded ends is standing in a classroom, wearing a blue and white jacket.
Young girl in pink lace top and blue skirt standing in front of a chalkboard with math equations and notes.
Student in a green school sweater smiling indoors.
Young man standing in a classroom in front of a blackboard with writing and charts, wearing a gray graphic t-shirt.
Young man in school uniform with burgundy sweater and badge
Young woman with braided hair wearing a denim jacket and jeans, standing indoors with old desks in the background.
A young person standing indoors in front of a chalkboard, wearing a red jacket and black shirt. The chalkboard has diagrams and notes written on it.
Person wearing glasses and a hijab, standing in a classroom.
Student wearing a maroon school sweater with emblem
Person in brown jacket smiling in front of a chalkboard with writing.
Person wearing a red shirt with a yellow bulldozer graphic, standing in front of a chalkboard with writing.
A smiling student wearing a "Sierra Madre Volleyball" sweatshirt stands in front of a chalkboard with writing on it.
Smiling girl in colorful dress in front of a chalkboard.
Young person wearing a black hoodie and beanie, standing in front of a chalkboard.
Young girl in a yellow dress stands in front of a blackboard with diagrams.
Person with braided hairstyle wearing a blue shirt with S.OIL logo, standing in front of a chalkboard.
A person wearing a black t-shirt with colorful text about a cheer competition in Las Vegas stands in front of a blackboard with a schedule and notes.
Person in a blue "Just Resist" T-shirt and pink knitted hat standing in front of a chalkboard with writing and drawings.
Person standing in front of a chalkboard with writing and a schedule.

✉️ contact@gakundimemorial-foundation.com
📱 +41 79 843 01 04