In a green quiet corner of Kakamega County, away from the commotion of town centre, lies a silent but powerful drive — a place where abandoned dreams are reignited, where forgotten girls are transformed into bold, educated women. The place is St. Joseph’s Girls High School Kakamega.
It is here that I meet one of the driving force behind the many successful girls in the surrounding community and beyond. “I’m Sister Mackline Adema,” she says warmly, her smile lighting up in the setting sun. “I serve as an administrator and deputy principal here at St. Joseph’s Girls High School.”
Sr. Mackline Adema, deputy Principal, St. Joseph’s Girls High School Kakamega
Sister Mackline speaks with the quiet conviction of someone who has witnessed transformation firsthand. She explains that the school’s founding had a deliberate purpose.
“Originally, the school was mixed,” she says, “but over time, we realized that the boy child was always glorified, leaving the girl child behind. In 2007, we phased out the boys so that we could focus entirely on uplifting the girl.”
What changes have you witnessed since then?
Sisters and the deacon hold prayers for the students just before their exams
After a short moment of silence, she shares her experience since the time she joined the school, “In 2019, our school’s mean grade was 4.2. Today, we are at 6.4. I have watched these girls grow, not just academically, but in self-confidence, leadership, and hope.”
At St. Joseph’s, education is not just about passing exams. It is about offering support. From the beginning, many girls enrolled were from needy families. The Sisters worked tirelessly to secure scholarships for them, believing that no girl’s potential should be wasted simply because of poverty.
“Many of our alumni are now engineers, teachers, instructors, even Sisters within our own congregation,” Sister Mackline says proudly. “And every year, we continue to sponsor five girls from vulnerable backgrounds, educating them from Form 1 through Form 4.”
But challenges remain. When asked what hurdles the school faces, Sister Mackline doesn’t shy away. “One big challenge is the 100% transition policy. Many of the girls who come to us cannot afford school fees,” she explains. “Some parents bring firewood, maize, even sand to contribute — anything they can offer to keep their daughters in school.”
Another challenge is the struggle for teacher stability. “Because of government programs like CBC and internships, many teachers are hired elsewhere after just a year. It’s difficult to maintain consistency,” she shares.
And then there’s the reality of running a small school of only 200 students. “Unlike larger schools with over 1,000 students, our small numbers make it tough to manage finances. We still have bills to clear, teachers to pay even during holidays.”
Sr. Mackline with some of the newly admitted Grade 7 girls at St. Joseph’s Girls High School Kakamega
Despite these obstacles, the spirit at St. Joseph’s remains unbreakable. In response to government reforms, the school has now embraced the Junior Secondary system welcoming Grade 7, 8, and 9 students, all eager to belong to a place known for discipline, values, and academic excellence.
“When you meet our girls,” Sister Mackline says, her voice filled with pride, “you will notice something different. Their dressing, their conduct, people even ask if they are being trained to become Sisters!” she laughs.
Their academic performance tells another story of success. Last year, out of 39 Form 4 candidates, 30 qualified for university and the remaining 9 secured places in TVET colleges. “Our top girl had a B plain and the last a C minus,” she adds, “proof that every single student here is progressing.”
When asked why empowering the girl child is so vital, Sister Mackline doesn’t hesitate.
“When you educate a girl, you educate a society,” she says passionately. “Girls remember the sacrifices made for them. They take care of their families, their future children, and even the families they marry into.”
Some of the Form one to Form Four students pose for a photo with their teacher
She recounts one touching example: a family that once struggled in poverty now lives in a modern house, attends the best hospitals, and thrives all because two daughters passed through St. Joseph’s.
“That is the power of educating a girl child,” she says, a smile lighting up her face.
