Every year on 8^th of September, International Literacy Day reminds us that literacy is more than just the ability to read and write. It is the foundation of dignity, empowerment, and possibility. Yet for many communities across Kenya, literacy remains out of reach, especially for women and girls. 

This year, Akili Dada marked International Literacy Day in Samburu and Kwale counties, and what we witnessed was both inspiring and urgent.  

Samburu Voices of Change

In Samburu, we celebrated across five villages, reaching over 500 community members. The most powerful moments were not in the numbers but in the pledges of the parents who stood before their neighbours, committing to prioritize education for their daughters. Even more moving were the voices of the beaded girls themselves, who for generations had been denied the chance to go to school. With courage and clarity, they expressed their desire to learn, grow, and transform their futures. One after another, they urged their parents to stand with them and allow them to pursue their education. It was a moment of collective awakening, a reminder that the demand for education is already alive in the hearts of these girls. 

The day concluded with a live conversation on Radio Ashe, where we shared about our Manyatta Homeschooling Program. This community driven model supports out-of-school girls in underserved communities such as Kilifi, Kwale, Samburu, and Turkana, where systemic barriers like FGM, child marriage, poverty, and insecurity continue to impede access to formal education. When we piloted the program in Samburu County over a year ago, many of the girls and young women could not read or write. Today, they not only read, write, and solve math problems but also conduct businesses, and understand the value of money. Beyond the academic transformation, the girls and young women have gained confidence to speak up, question harmful norms, and imagine futures where they can lead. 

Linking Local Action to National Progress in Kwale 

In Kwale County, the celebrations were held under the theme “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era.” The event highlighted Kenya’s progress while acknowledging persistent challenges, with adult literacy in Kwale standing at 57%, compared to the national average of 82.9%. A key highlight was engaging the Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Mr. Joseph Motari who led the nation in commemorating the day in Kwale. We shared our plans to expand Manyatta Homeschooling in the County, to close the literacy gap and accelerate progress.   

Reimaging Education 

For Akili Dada, Manyatta Homeschooling is more than a stopgap for out-of-school girls; it is a reimagining of inclusive, community-driven education that advances Kenya’s vision for universal education and aligns with global goals of equity and inclusion. 

This year’s celebrations reaffirmed that literacy is more than just education. It is about possibility and giving girls the tools to write their own stories, to reclaim their voices, and to shape their community’s futures. 

From Samburu to Turkana, from Kwale to Kilifi, we are committed to breaking barriers and reimagining education so that no girl is left behind. 

On this International Literacy Day, we were reminded: when a girl learns to read, she learns to lead.