"African Role Models 2014" - CATHERINE KIAMA

Catherine Kiama has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London’s International Program. Catherine currently works as a Program Associate at the AIDS Law Project, a nonprofit in Kenya that aims to advance the human rights of persons living with HIV & AIDS. 

Since 2010, Catherine has been running a mentorship project in her own capacity for teenage girls in rural and semi-formal settlements in Nairobi. The project, dubbed “Sisterhood”, aims to support, inspire, and encourage young impressionable teens to be the best they can be.

In 2011, she received The Humanitarian Finalist Award by the Pillar Awards Africa-Kenyan. From 2011-2012, she served as the Google Student Ambassador in Kenya. From 2012-2013, she served as the Kenyan Youth Ambassador for the United Religions Initiative in the Great Lakes Region, as well as one of the few One Young World Kenyan Ambassadors. Miss Kiama was recently appointed as the Hands Up for HER focal person for Kenya. She is also a recipient of a three-year fellowship from the Vital Voices, which offers mentorship by distinguished women who are championing women’s rights issues. 

She is an avid writer and blogger and has been commended for her legal writing especially in regard to issues pertaining to the New Kenyan Constitution. Catherine is currently pursuing an Atlas Corps Fellowship program and also training as a grant manager at the Nike Foundation in the USA, which supports the Girl Effect program.

Watch Catherine's video here