Grace Wanjiru

Kenyan community organizer who transformed rural education through grassroots initiatives

Grace Wanjiru (1958-2018) was a Kenyan social entrepreneur whose work revolutionized community development in rural Kenya. Starting in the 1980s, she founded the Mwai wa Kihindi Women's Group, which built over 30 primary schools and established microfinance programs benefiting 15,000+ women. Her innovative approach combined agricultural training with literacy programs, creating sustainable economic systems in areas like Kiambu County. Wanjiru's 'Women's Savings Circles' model became a blueprint for empowerment across East Africa. Despite facing opposition from traditional leaders, she trained over 500 community educators, ensuring girls' access to education even in remote regions. Her legacy lives on through the Grace Wanjiru Scholarship Fund, supporting girls' education in 12 counties.