My name is Alex Kitili and I am 24 years old. I was born and raised by a single mother since my father had passed on while I was in class two (second grade). In the slums of Mathare, life proved so difficult for me and my mother. Though she struggled as she could, things would not get better.

In the thick of all this, she gathered what she could working at a nearby pub just to have a few coins to pay for my school fees. Sometimes she would do this at the expense of meals for me and my small brothers and sisters.

In 1999 I finished my Primary `O` level studies managing to get 370 points out of the possible 500 a performance that was very impressive especially to my mother who was working tirelessly to see me at least succeed in life. In a twist of events my mother was diagnosed with Tuberculosis immediately after I had been through with my primary studies, this send chilling to my nerves since I could easily tell that my dream had been shuttered, the dream of becoming a Professional Journalist in the world of film making.

Fortunately my uncle intervened in my situation and took me to a charity school (Mully Children’s Home) where I completed my secondary school studies and attained a C+. They sent me to a college (Smart Media Colleges) where I did a diploma in Journalism and attained the possible distinction grade with 86.2points. Besides that they also paid for me to do a diploma in Information Technology where I achieved a distinction grade.

I am privileged to say that The 1010 Project has become a major beacon of hope in my life and am sure that I will make it in life. It gives me a lot of pleasure to impact other children who are going through what I underwent and encourage them to hang on, for the future looks brighter.

My dream is to become a well-equipped champion of hope and an influential element in the fight against poverty in my community and the eradication of the itching problems in Kenya, Africa, and in the whole world at large. Thank you.

Pardon my language, but it’s pretty darn exciting right now at The 1010 Project :). As we post video testimonies and stories of transformation from our Fall 2010 Academy, we are finalizing dates for the Spring 2011 GEA in Nairobi. Thanks to everyone who generously contributed to our year end fundraising push…our Spring GEA is fully funded!

Take an “inspiration break” and watch video highlights from our GEA graduation.

Some of the quotables:

• Director of The GEA in Nairobi, Josephine: This is what I love doing, just to see people grow and become better in their lives.
• Humble Hearts Founder & Director Beatrice Anuda: So many cobwebs are removed from our minds, so now we know how to budget. We know how to plan our money, we know how to market, and how to talk to those who come to our projects in a good way so they can come again.
• GEA Mentor Phillips Katutu discusses what is NOT transformation, and then concludes that transformation comes when we integrate the faith and development initiatives.