Despite societal expectations and the personal challenges of motherhood, albinism, and discrimination, Faith Musyoki, a young woman from Kenya, charted her path to success in the male-dominated tech industry through self-learning and the support of mentors. In doing so, she has redefined what’s possible for herself and others like her.
Growing up as a young woman in Kenya, Faith felt destined to follow one of the typical career paths—either becoming a teacher or a lawyer—mainly due to the expectations placed on her by her parents and society. As she always had a passion for justice and fairness, she enrolled in university to study gender and development. However, life took an unexpected turn when she was no longer able to continue her studies due to financial constraints and pregnancy
In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, after nearly three years out of school, Faith sought new ways to continue her education and support her child. During this time, her partner, who worked in the tech industry, opened an unexpected door.
“I started getting interested in what he was doing. He advocated for it and was always keen to show me how things worked. Being with someone who made it seem like tech was not too hard and that I could understand it motivated me. He showed me that it’s not rocket science, basically.”
Faith then began exploring tech independently, initially learning from YouTube tutorials and various online resources. She recalls the moment she realized that the assumptions she had grown up with were flawed.
It was during this period that Faith stumbled upon the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Despite her doubts about whether it was worth applying, she applied anyway, expecting little.
I honestly didn’t think I stood a chance. But I was accepted, and that’s where my tech career truly began.
Her acceptance into the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program was a turning point. Ironically, the very thing that had once seemed like a setback—dropping out of university—became a blessing, as the scholarship program required applicants to have no prior higher education qualifications. Faith thrived, completing her degree and a series of internships that prepared her for the next step in her tech journey.
“By the time I got to my fourth year of study and completed several internships, I was eager to take on bigger, more challenging tasks. I’m a creative person; I love writing, design, and even interior design. I love colour and styling things generally. But I also enjoy programming. I don’t think of tech as something purely technical. For me, it’s creative too. There’s beauty in solving problems with code.”
However, the reality of working in tech wasn’t always as glamorous as she imagined. For the first week, Faith spent the entire time changing colours on a webpage—far from the creative or technical challenges she had hoped for.
Born with albinism and working in a field dominated by men, Faith often found herself standing out in ways she didn’t always want to. She faced unique challenges due to her disability, including the need for special accommodations in the workplace and the extra effort required to demonstrate her capabilities. “Discrimination is subtle, but it exists,” she says. “It’s not always explicit, but you can tell it’s there because people treat you differently.”
At work, she sensed that being a woman seemed to influence how she was perceived and the projects she was assigned. Despite these challenges, Faith remained determined to prove herself and gain the trust of her colleagues. “I just decided to stay and prove myself and ask for more projects. I remember after acing the first task I was given, people started treating me like a regular person.
Faith believes that the need to constantly prove herself is something many women and people with disabilities in Kenya experience. She reflects on the societal challenges faced by people with disabilities and affirmative action policies that sometimes carry the unintended consequence of people assuming that qualifications are less legitimate. “It’s almost like people expect that I’m just there to fill a quota, not because I’m actually capable of the work. It’s exhausting, but I must work twice as hard to prove my worth,” she says.
Faith’s journey has not been without its emotional toll. As a single mother, juggling her studies, work, and family responsibilities often felt overwhelming. The support of her close friends helped her persevere through the most challenging times. “Truly, I owe this graduation certificate to my friends because if it weren’t for them, it would have taken me longer than four years to complete this undergraduate degree. There were times when I didn’t think I’d make it,” Faith explains.
Her experience in tech has taught her valuable lessons, not only about her career but also about advocating for herself.
“One thing I also learned was—and I know this is so cliché—but you must learn to master your emotions. Be methodical and very intentional about what you want to get out of a career experience or an opportunity so that when you find yourself unfulfilled or frustrated, you can analyze the situation and figure out how to change it for the better. You can be assertive without being rude.”
One of her standout experiences was an internship with a leading telecommunications company in Kenya, where she felt genuinely included for the first time. “[The organization is] very big on inclusion, and I interacted with many women with disabilities. I’m trying to get myself back there. From the get-go, I noticed that I wasn’t treated differently because I have a disability. We had training for two weeks, where we learned about the rules and the systems we had to interact with, and I almost forgot I had a disability. That’s what I love to experience. I just wanted to feel normal, if that makes sense, and I felt like during that internship, nothing felt off. Also, reasonable accommodation was given when needed; no questions asked. Because I have albinism, my eyesight is not good, so I needed a bigger screen. I asked for it and got it, and that request didn’t feel like a bother.”
Faith continues to push forward, having graduated in October 2024, and has big plans. She believes that her story shows that young women, especially those with disabilities, can overcome challenges in spaces traditionally dominated by men. “Nobody is going to be checking that you’re okay. They expect you to get on with it. The key is not to sit back and wait for things to happen or for somebody’s approval or validation of your work. Be proactive. If you’re unhappy, consider if you’d do better in another department and find out what the company policy is around moving.”
Today, Faith works as an Associate Software Engineer, an opportunity that arose through the Young Africa Works program, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and Light for the World.
“I love my job, my workplace and my colleagues. I feel accommodated, valued and useful, and I can see myself growing here, which is everything I would hope for in a job.”
By sharing her journey, Faith hopes to inspire other young women to pursue their passions and continue advocating for themselves, regardless of the obstacles. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, you’re capable of much more than you think. It’s not always easy, but when you keep pushing, you surprise yourself—and everyone else.”
Kuvakala Thina
Amplifying voices, driving inclusion for impact and showcasing youth leadership who are shaping inclusive and sustainable futures.
