Betty Mwende's name is synonymous with determination and passion for technology. She comes from a small village in rural Kenya. From an early age, she was filled with curiosity, especially about technology. She often watched her cousin walk confidently into the local cybercafé to play computer games. She deeply admired him, but for her, even holding a gaming console felt foreign and intimidating. There were several reasons for this.
She lives with a physical disability caused by Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which led to paralysis and left her hands and limbs with some weakness. She often wondered whether she’d ever be able to type quickly like the “computer geeks” she saw in movies. That uncertainty made her cautious and afraid at times.
Access to technology was also limited. In her community, computers were almost non-existent. They had two cybercafés that served the entire local district, and everyone would go to view their emails and get their documents printed. “I didn’t touch the computer until I got to high school. Until then, computers were just something I saw on TV or heard about in passing conversations,” she shares.
Perhaps most significant was the environment she grew up in. Girls were not expected to be in tech spaces or gaming centers. In fact, they were often told where they didn’t belong before they were ever given the chance to explore. It was rare, almost unheard of, to see girls in cybercafés or playing video games.
Despite these barriers, Betty had a deep, quiet desire to understand how things worked. She wanted to explore, learn, to try everything. Even when fear held her back or silence seemed easier, the curiosity inside her never faded. That began to change when she was awarded a scholarship through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to study Applied Computer Technology at United States International University – Africa (USIU-A). That opportunity changed everything.
“As a girl, I feared for my future without education. I feared becoming another story of lost potential. Without education, everything begins to crumble, and to that the reality of having disability, and the stakes felt even higher.”
Being the first in her family to join a university, she carried not just her dreams, but the unspoken hopes of generations before her.
I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew that education was the key that could open doors no one had ever opened in my family.
Through this journey, she participated in life-changing coding camps, such as the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) by UN Women, where she learned coding, teamwork, and digital innovation. Later, she joined another program which connected her with a global sisterhood of tech leaders and mentors, reminding her that there’s space for African girls like her in the digital space. She also participated in a six-month United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) training focused on developing digital skills for women and youth in Africa. This experience not only deepened her knowledge but also gave her the unique opportunity to pitch her ideas directly to the Ambassador of Japan to Kenya.
Betty didn’t stop there. She earned certifications in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, alongside other tech courses, including cloud computing, UI/UX design, and data literacy. “These experiences helped me navigate the vast tech ecosystem. Slowly, I began to understand that my passion truly lies in bridging the digital divide for marginalized communities,” says Betty.
That passion led her to Gicici Primary School, a small rural school in Meru County. In August 2024, she led a digital literacy training session there, teaching students — many of whom had never used a computer — how to use basic digital tools. She’ll never forget the joy in their eyes when they typed their names for the first time. With that support, they were able to purchase three laptops and a printer for the school, laying the foundation for digital access and training.
Since then, the project has grown into a community-led effort. She has been fortunate to invite friends and fellow alumnae from the coding camps to join her as volunteers. They share a passion for impact, and together, they organize 10-day digital literacy camps at the school during the April, August, and December holidays. Their commitment brings energy, mentorship, and continuity to the learners.
Currently, Betty is working towards formally registering a Community-Based Organization (CBO) or NGO to sustainably continue this mission. Her vision is to partner with like-minded organizations and stakeholders to scale this impact, equip more students with digital skills, and bridge the digital divide across underserved communities in Kenya and beyond.
Away from the screen, Betty found confidence in chess - a game she loves deeply. She proudly represented USIU-A in national chess competitions and even participated in the East Africa University Women’s Games, where she learned the importance of strategy, patience, and mental discipline. And now, in what still feels like a dream, she has been selected to participate in the One Young World Summit in Munich, Germany, in November 2025. “This is a moment that represents more than just my journey. It reflects the journey of everyone who was told their dreams were too big, too bold, or too far-fetched,” she says.
Betty’s academic journey has also shaped her confidence in the tech space. As a student of Applied Computer Technology at USIU-A, she has had the privilege of studying in an inclusive and supportive environment.
To young people with disabilities, she offers this message: “Your voice matters, your dreams are valid, and your journey is powerful. Embrace your uniqueness and turn it into a source of strength. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.”
Betty Mwende is a trailblazing tech enthusiast and advocate for digital inclusion. As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar and student of Applied Computer Technology, she is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and empowering marginalized communities to access and harness the power of technology.
