Ann Wambui proudly stands with her husband and two children.
Ann Wambui’s Family
She was sponsored from 9th grade through the University of Nairobi by BEADS for Education. She graduated from college in 2014 with a B.S. in geology.
“My mother was the best tea picker in Kenya, but she did not earn enough money to support us. She had to send me to live with a guardian. I graduated top of my class in 8th grade. Everyone was so happy for me BUT I was so sad. I cried many nights because I had no hope of going to high school and certainly not the university because my mother did not have money for school fees. Then a miracle happened. I received a BEADS sponsorship to pay my school fees - and I sang with joy. If it were not for BEADS I would have been married off as young as 13 into a life of poverty,” Ann reminisces.
After graduation, I worked for different private geological firms honing my skills and developing my experience. At the same time, I was balancing taking care of my family and mentoring programs to encourage young people to study hard and aim for success. I believe mentoring younger students is a role I must always continue to repay the success that I have gained through BEADS for Education.
Ann Wambui’s work gear (Hard Hat)
Now I am passionate geologist and the CEO of ANSA GEOSOLUTIONS LTD. As a mother of two and a career woman I started my consultancy firm which focuses on Geotechnical solutions for all Engineering designs. I have two offices and hope to open more. For me, this has been a great achievement as it has enabled me to balance family, career and church ministry. This bold step I can attribute to the training and great guidance I received from BEADS FOR EDUCATION. From BEADS, I was taught to be courageous, to take that big step in life despite our poor back grounds and that this life offers equal opportunities for both male and female. One just has to take the step to pursue their dreams. My advice to any young person who is starting their career is be passionate about what you pursue - to be open minded and to keep moving. It will not be straight path. But all through one should keep moving. If you can't run ---walk. If you can’t walk ---crawl. As long as you keep moving, you are making steps in the right direction. To the young women and girls know that marriage and family are more important than a career. Be passionate about your career but always put your family first. I am committed to help my 4 siblings, their families and my dear old mother. Remember, after all is said and done, we all go back to our families. Supporting our families, emotionally and financially, is probably the most important thing we do in life. Thank you for this opportunity to submit my background for Women's History Month
Ann Wambui Written by Ann Wambui for BEADS for Education and USAID women's history month - March 2020