Kenya among 15 countries to benefit from Michelle Obama’s Sh129m girls’ fund [Photo: Courtsey]
Michelle Obama has announced more than Sh129 million ($1 million) in funding for 25 grassroots organisations working to improve education and opportunities for girls in 15 countries, including Kenya.
The former US First Lady made the announcement in a video message shared on her Facebook page on Sunday, October 11, to mark the International Day of the Girl.
The funding will be channelled through the Girls Opportunity Alliance, a programme of the Obama Foundation that supports community-based organisations working to educate and empower adolescent girls worldwide.
“Investing in girls isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do to ensure a brighter future for all of us,” Michelle said.
According to the foundation, the grants will support initiatives aimed at improving girls’ access to education, promoting leadership and addressing challenges affecting their lives.
In Kenya, the supported organisations provide scholarships to help girls access education. Other initiatives include efforts to reduce gender-based violence in Brazil and develop leadership skills among girls in India and Sierra Leone.
The funding will also benefit organisations such as Girls First Initiative in Tanzania, Asociación Soy Niña in Costa Rica and Squash Dreamers in Jordan.
Michelle said her experiences meeting girls from different parts of the world had strengthened her belief in their potential to transform their communities and beyond.
“I have always believed that every girl holds a unique promise, a special way that she can impact the lives of those around her and maybe even the world,” she said.
Launched in 2018, the Girls Opportunity Alliance has supported more than 265 grassroots projects across 50 countries, reaching over 190,000 girls, according to the foundation.
Michelle urged members of the public to support the initiative by donating, sharing stories of organisations making a difference and participating in programmes within their communities.
“I hope you’ll consider joining the Girls Opportunity Alliance in this important work,” she said, encouraging people to contribute what they could.
“And that’s how we turn hope into action,” she added.
The International Day of the Girl is marked annually on October 11 to raise awareness of the challenges girls face and promote their rights, education and opportunities.
The 2026 theme calls for an end to child marriage and greater investment in girls’ rights.