When Lou sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2020, he scored 377 marks. However, like many refugee families living in Kakuma Refugee Camp after fleeing conflict in South Sudan, his family could not afford the cost of secondary education.
Everything changed in 2021 when Lou became one of only five students selected for the inaugural I Stretch My Hand (ISMH) High School Scholarship Program and earned admission to St. Joseph’s Boys National School, Kitale, one of Kenya’s leading national schools. The scholarship covered his tuition and other essential educational expenses, allowing him to pursue his education without the financial burden that had threatened his future.
Lou made the most of the opportunity. Throughout high school, he consistently ranked among the top five students in a class of more than 600 students, demonstrating remarkable discipline and academic excellence. In 2024, he graduated with an A grade in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
For Lou, however, ISMH was more than a scholarship. “Any time I had challenges in school, I could reach out to someone at ISMH. They gave me personalised advice, encouragement, and motivation. That support made all the difference.”
Reflecting on his journey, Lou says: “If ISMH didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be here. The competition is very steep, and there are many talented students facing barriers. Without ISMH, I would have gone to a school that didn’t provide a good learning environment. Instead, I had the opportunity to attend one of the best schools and receive a quality education.”
After graduating, ISMH continued to mentor Lou, helping him identify and apply for post-secondary opportunities. In 2025, he was accepted into the Duolingo Access Program, which led to a scholarship through the Refugee Student Settlement Program to study Computer Science and Economics at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
Today, Lou is pursuing his dream of becoming a technology entrepreneur. What excites him most is the opportunity to build an independent future while creating solutions that can positively impact others. Despite beginning a new chapter thousands of kilometres from Kakuma, he remains committed to giving back. “I appreciate the ISMH team for believing in me. Their support changed my life. I hope more students get the same opportunity because talent should never be limited by circumstance. I try to give back as much as I can, even if it’s just $2 a month, because I want others to have the same chance I had.”
Lou’s journey is a testament to what is possible when talented refugee students are given access to quality education, mentorship, and a community that believes in their potential. His story is not just one of academic success, but of hope, resilience, and the life-changing impact of investing in young people.
Changkuoth Otong is a young man from South Sudan who arrived at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya 12 years ago. In Grade 8, he earned impressive results and hoped to receive a Windle International Kenya scholarship to support his high school education. When he was not selected, Changkuoth felt that his options had run out.
“I thought that all the doors were shut. I didn’t know that there was another door for me.”
That door opened when Changkuoth learned about I Stretch My Hand (ISMH). He applied, and he was selected as one of the 5 scholars in 2021, receiving support to attend one of the best high schools outside the camp. His school fees, learning materials, and transportation were covered, giving him an opportunity he had never experienced before.
“It was my first time getting out of the camp. It was a new experience.”
Leaving the camp and entering a new school environment brought new experiences, questions, and doubts. Through ISMH, Changkuoth was connected with mentors who supported him throughout his high school journey. For him, mentorship became the most meaningful part of the program.
“The mentorship helped me to place myself. They spoke to us, motivated us, and told us about the options for the future.”
When his grades began to slip, the ISMH team noticed and stepped in.
“They checked on me and gave me advice. This makes the programme worth it.”
After graduating from high school in 2024 with an A- grade in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), ISMH continued to support Changkuoth as he explored opportunities for higher education. In 2026, he was accepted into the Duolingo Access Program, a university preparation program that provides a pathway toward university scholarships. Changkuoth hopes to study chemical engineering and use his education to help address food insecurity through innovation in the agricultural sector.
Looking back, Changkuoth knows how different his future could have been.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today. ISMH focuses on the grassroots barriers to further education. They ensure that kids have secured a bright future early on and are ready to take on the challenges of the future. Other organisations don’t do this.”
Changkuoth’s journey shows that sometimes one opportunity can open a door that a student never knew existed—and that with education, mentorship, and a community behind them, young people can turn that opportunity into a future of their own.
