Mary King’ori

Mary Kingori, a determined and resilient student from St. Yermo Secondary School, Nyandarua, has achieved a major milestone as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Her journey is a story of perseverance, mentorship, and the power of never giving up on ones dreams.Growing up in Nyandarua, Mary always dreamed of studying abroad. However, the path was anything but easy. She faced rejection after rejectionmore than ten times during her initial attempts to secure a university placement. It was discouraging, Mary recalls. There were moments when I felt like giving up, but the dream of studying abroad and making a difference kept me going.Her breakthrough came when she joined Beta Mentor Africas Twende Majuu Tukasome Scholarship Program. What I appreciated most about the program, she says, was the mentor I was assigned, who walked with me through the entire application journey. They guided me, offered personalized help with my essays, and gave me encouragement every step of the way. The mentorship she received went far beyond application tipsit instilled confidence, focus, and the resilience needed to overcome repeated setbacks.Marys persistence finally paid off when she received her acceptance and scholarship to the University of Pretoria. When I finally got the acceptance, she recalls, I realized that all those struggles, all the rejections, were worth it. It only takes one opportunity to change everything, and that opportunity changed my life.Mary lives by the mantra: Every attempt is a success, provided I give my all. This guiding principle has shaped not just her academic pursuits but also her outlook on life. She believes that setbacks are not failures but steps toward growth, and that the key to success is to persist, learn, and lean on the right support systems.To young people in her community, Mary offers this advice:Its okay to ask for help whenever you need it. You dont need to figure everything out on your own. You can achieve great things, but sometimes its easier to stand tall when you allow others to help lift you up.Mary Kingoris story is a testament to the power of persistence, mentorship, and believing in oneself. Her journey from facing multiple rejections to becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar proves that determination, combined with guidance and support, can turn dreams into reality.