How Pride Nyandos Scholar-Citizen Initiative is transforming lives through education
By Brenda Odhiambo and Pride Nyando
For Pride Nyando, a senior pharmacy student at USIU-Africa, education has always been more than just a means to a career—it is a powerful tool for transformation and empowerment. Raised in of Muhoroni Constituency in Kisumu County, Kenya, Pride experienced firsthand the challenges that come with limited access to quality education. Despite excelling in his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, financial constraints prevented him from attending a national school, forcing him to enroll in a local day school in his village.
"It was very hard to accept this since the majority of my classmates went to extra-county and national schools. But I was able to adapt and excel in my studies," he reflects. "I believe that education is an equalizer between the rich and the poor. It empowers the community and makes it more informed," he adds.
Now in his fifth year of study, Pride is not only excelling academically but also making a significant impact through his leadership in various initiatives. He is the co-founder of Eco-Clean Fuel, head of programs at EAAL Foundation, and the co-founder and lead of the Scholar-Citizen Initiative. His journey has been enriched by his participation in prestigious fellowships such as the Millennium Fellowship, Green Fellowship, Resolution Fellowship, and Pharma Incubation Hub Fellowship.
Pride’s experience as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at USIU-Africa has further solidified his belief in the power of education to transform lives. "Being a Mastercard Foundation Scholar has highlighted the role that support systems, mentorship, and access to resources play in shaping one’s success," he explains. "Education is not just about academic achievement but also about building character, building community, and equipping individuals with the tools to create change." This realization has driven him to give back to his community, particularly through the Scholar-Citizen Initiative, which seeks to address gaps in education within underprivileged communities such as Nairobi’s Korogocho slums.
The Initiative was born from a desire to address Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, particularly in underprivileged communities like rural areas and urban slums. Observing the challenges faced by children in Nairobi’s Korogocho slums, Nyando recognized a critical need for mentorship, educational resources, and a holistic approach to learning encompassing nutrition, life skills, and environmental awareness. He witnessed how poverty, limited resources, and a lack of guidance hindered students from reaching their full potential. Through the Initiative’s Scholar Day of Service, he identified key gaps: inadequate educational materials and infrastructure in schools, student hunger impacting concentration, and limited exposure to positive role models.
To date, the Scholar Citizen Initiative has impacted over 300 pupils across various schools in Korogocho. The Initiative has provided desks, water tanks, desk tops, fabricated container classrooms, stationery, and cooking stoves, alongside mentorship programs and workshops. One particularly memorable success story involves the Friends Anduru Educational Centre. Upon their initial visit, Nyando and his team found students sharing overcrowded classrooms and sitting on the floor, with no access to clean water. Mobilizing 180 Mastercard Foundation Scholars to contribute their Scholar Day of Service funds, they were able to purchase and fabricate two containers, renovate an existing classroom, and provide three new learning spaces, significantly reducing overcrowding. Collaborating with final-year Pharmacy students at USIU-Africa, they also secured a water tank and cooking stove, ensuring access to clean water and enabling the school to provide meals.
Leading the Scholar-Citizen Initiative has been a defining experience for Pride, shaping him into a strategic and empathetic leader. "Working with less privileged schools and pupils has taught me the importance of listening to the community's needs and designing sustainable solutions," he says. "I have learned how to inspire others, mobilize resources, and adapt to challenges." He credits USIU-Africa for instilling in him a deep appreciation for the power of giving back. "Coming to USIU-Africa was a game changer. This is one of the universities that believes in the power of giving back, and it has enabled me to see the value of community service."
Looking ahead, Pride envisions expanding the initiative to reach more schools in rural and urban areas, partnering with local governments, NGOs, and private sector organizations to provide educational resources and mentorship. He looks forward to introducing digital learning tools and platforms to ensure students have access to quality, up-to-date educational materials. Ultimately, his vision is to empower schools to solve their challenges independently without relying on donations.
Pride's journey is proof of the transformative power of education and the ripple effect of investing in young leaders who are committed to giving back to their communities. "By giving back, I aim to ensure that others can access opportunities to unlock their potential and improve their communities, just as education has empowered me," he concludes.