Born in Nakuru and moving to Nairobi with her at a tender age Rukia Rashid’s life
story is one christened as full of trials, resilience, and a passion for learning from a
soft-spoken slum girl from Kibra to breaking gender and societal barriers. Rukia’s
path to success is a testament to the power of education, community support, and an
unwavering passion for technology.
Her educational journey commenced in in 2007 where she successfully completed in
- However, life took a challenging turn with the sudden death of her father soon
after, leaving her and her family in a vulnerable position. Despite the adversity, she
pressed on and joined Kibera Girls Soccer Academy for her secondary education that
would take an unprecedented five years instead of four due the COVID-19 pandemic,
which disrupted the academic calendar for students across the globe.
Upon completing secondary school, Rukia sought to explore her interests in the
creative arts. She enrolled in a film production course at a local college in Nairobi,
which opened the doors for a brief internship stint. But once the internship concluded,
the sense of being unproductive while staying at home weighed heavily on her.
Determined to make the most of her time, she turned to a friend for advice. Her
advice would in the long run be a life changing venture that soon tunred into a
passion. Hence her induction to NairoBits Trust, an institution dedicated to
empowering unpriviledged youth through technology and digital skills.
In September 2022, the mellow speaking yet assertive Rukia cleared her 3-month
course in Digital Literacy Program (DLP). Graduating with top honors in her cohort.
Her zeal for web development did not stop there as her dedication and enthusiasm led
her to advance into pursuing the Advanced Multmedia Program, where she attests she
discovered her true passion, web development and storytelling.
“It is through the training and practicals at NairoBits, I realized how much I enjoyed
coding and creating digital narratives. It was more than just learning, it was
discovering a part of myself I hadn’t known before,” shared Rukia.
Rukia and other NairoBits students were pioneer beneficiaries of the Video Impact
Training (VIT) courtesy of Golypoon Kenya through the Human Needs Project
located in Kibra who are NairoBits’ partners.
“Through VIT we were taught the skill of video storytelling for social impact, through
hands-on training using mobile phones we got to learn about video editing, sound and
video production, scripting, news writing and acting, “says Rukia.
Rukia further divulges that the VIT course gave her a sense of self-realization and she
discovered that she can be a news announcer where she currently works part time at a
local online station in Kibra.
However along the way mid 2023 after completion of her course the girl from Kibra
did encounter challenges that almost dwindled her tech and storytelling dream. Due to
her financial background, she lacked a laptop and internet connection which were
vital components in sharpening her skills and enabling her passion. Recognizing the
importance of these resources, Give Internet in collaboration with NairoBits, stepped
in to provide her and other twenty students with laptops and a pocket WiFi.These
tools became essential for her continued growth in tech as she had already secured an
internship opportunity at a tech institution in Nairobi..
Reflecting on the impact of this support, she expressed her gratitude, stating, “The
laptop and Wi-Fi have been valuable assets in my career progression and
familiarization . They not only allowed me to continue learning and working but also
empowered me to take control of my career. Give Internet left an indelible mark in
my heart that I live to treasure, “reveals Rukia.
Today, Rukia continues to excel in web development and digital storytelling, using
the skills and resources she has acquired to carve out a promising career in her
community with the Kibra slums and Nairobi at large. Her journey from Nakuru to
Nairobi, from a schoolgirl to a budding tech professional, is a testament to the power
of resilience, the importance of community support, and the impact of access to
education and technology.
As she looks to the future, she remains committed to her growth and hopes to inspire
others in similar situations to pursue their passions especially girls, no matter the
obstacles they may face. Her story is a beacon of hope for many young people in
Kenya, proving that with determination, support, and the right tools, anything is
possible. In a world where many young people struggle to find their footing, her
journey serves as a powerful reminder that resilience and passion can break barriers
and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
