About
Us
BPL Kenya is an education non-profit
that is the first Big Picture Learning
affiliate in Africa.
Big Picture Learning Kenya is founded on 3 principles…
1/
The belief that every young person can be the architect of their own future.
2/
We unlock this potential with a model of real-world, interest-driven learning and mentorship designed to cultivate leadership and a powerful sense of self-efficacy.
3/
Our tuition-free Career Pathways program translates this mindset into action, providing the hands-on, skills-first training that equips young adults to launch their dream careers and deliver immediate value as emerging leaders in the workplace.
OUR CORE
VALUES
Valuing People and Building Trust:
Our work is not transactional; it’s built on the power of authentic relationships that earn trust and respect.
Strategic Thinking and Purposeful Action:
We are smart, unique, and sophisticated in the questions we ask of ourselves and our partners.
Continuous Learning and Relentless Improvement:
We embrace our role in driving learning and take appropriate risks. We are reflective, compassionate, and truthful in our work.
Urgency: A Kenyan Against the Clock:
We are a vital intervention, in a race to unlock potential before it’s toolate. A Learning Organization: We Share, We Evolve.
We commit to operating as a deeply curious and authentic learning organization.
We actively share our knowledge and data, and we remain perpetually open to learning from our partners, staff, and the communities we serve. This continuous, open exchange ensures our work is always evolving, allowing us to truly and effectively respond to community priorities.
Nairobi
city is our
Classroom
BPL Kenya operates in three of Nairobi’s
largest informal settlement.
OUR
FOUNDING
STORY
Carol Owala is a visionary Kenyan leader whose journey and passion are rooted in her own experience of being brought up in the Kibera informal settlement. This background makes the work of BPL Kenya deeply personal. As a teacher, coach, and community organizer, Carol witnessed firsthand how the traditional Kenyan school system was failing bright, resilient youth—those who needed a quality education most to break cycles of poverty. It was in these consultations and through Carol’s commitment, driven by her own history, that the fundamental challenge was articulated: the “promise of education” was not a reality for many children in these communities.
THE
spark:
A Mentor and a model
The inspiration for BPL Kenya was lit in 2014. While undertaking an online training program with Johns Hopkins University, Carol connected with Bonnie Lathram. Bonnie, who was then an advisor at Highline Big Picture Learning School in Seattle, reached out after reading Carol’s blog, where Carol shared her candid frustrations about the limitations of the existing Kenyan education system for marginalized youth.
This connection became the crucial turning point. Bonnie introduced Carol to the Big Picture Learning (BPL) model—an approach that rejects the industrial model of schooling and puts young people at the center of their learning through internships, real-world projects, and personalized instruction. For Carol, who was then working as a coach of coaches at the Dignitas Project, it was an immediate recognition: this was the holistic, deeply relevant, and empowering educational model that could finally unlock the potential of young people in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
THE CO-FOUNDING
VISION AND
PARTNERSHIP
The vision to implement BPL in Kenya was brought to fruition by a second, equally critical partnership. Carol met Elena Aguilar in 2016 when Elena, the founder of Bright Morning Consulting and a respected author on adult learning, traveled to Nairobi to work with Dignitas Project. Their connection was immediate and profound. In February 2018, the professional and personal bond deepened when Carol presented at the first annual Art of Coaching Conference. Inspired by Carol’s presentation and their growing friendship, Carol and Elena hatched a plan: a collaboration to connect American and Kenyan educators, focusing on resilience and support. This plan materialized as Ustahimilivu Dadas (a Swahili phrase meaning “resilient sisters”).
Leveraging Carol’s deep understanding of the Kenyan educational landscape and community needs, and Elena’s extensive expertise in adult learning and system-level change, Carol Owala and Elena Aguilar became the co-founders of BPL Kenya.
BPL Kenya, the first Big Picture Learning program in Africa, was built on the belief that a truly relevant education is the most powerful tool to help young people break cycles of poverty and lead lives of meaning and impact. Today, Carol leads BPL Kenya, championing a system where every child’s potential is seen, valued, and developed, ensuring that the next generation emerging from Nairobi’s informal settlements are not just surviving, but thriving as innovative, connected, and empowered leaders.
OUR INNOVATIVE
LEARNING DESIGN:
Interests. Relationships. Practice.
BPL Kenya uses an innovative, award-winning Big Picture Learning design and approach. From when it was established nearly 30 years ago, the sole mission of Big Picture Learning was to put young people directly at the center of their own learning. One of the key distinguishing practices of the schools in the BPL network as well as its out-of-school programs is facilitating young people to learn through their interests and internships. Connecting youth with supportive adults who align with their interests has been crucial to the success that BPL has enjoyed over the years and it is significant in enhancing the social capital and employability of young people and their communities. Our philosophy centers on the conviction that learning happens best when interests, relationships, and practice are woven together.
OUR
PEOPLE
BPL Kenya is led by a dedicated team of staff and board members with strong experience in education, youth development, and community leadership, working together to create meaningful opportunities for young people from marginalized communities.
BPL Kenya
Board
Rukia Sebit is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Sunflower Trust, a Kenyan nonprofit dedicated to empowering vulnerable girls through education, mentorship, and leadership development. With over 17 years of experience in youth and education programs across East Africa, Rukia has led initiatives that promote literacy, STEM education, and girls’ rights in underserved communities.
A passionate advocate for gender equality, she has been recognized with awards such as the Zuri Award (Education Category) and the Top 30 under 40 Muslima Award. Rukia is committed to building inclusive systems that ensure every girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive.
Gloria Omuya is passionate about building programs that help organizations impact lives and communities. She has had the privilege of working in early childhood education, primary education, secondary and higher education advancement. In these roles her work has involved handling a range of tasks like creating strategic plans for teams, implementing tailored programs, cultivating relationships with partners, researching, providing engaging content, and sharing stories of impact.
Gloria believes in continuous learning, being culturally sensitive, responding to new information, and making necessary adjustments to stay relevant and effective, to benefit the constituency being served. From working in the third sector and higher education, her work is perfectly aligned to focus on honoring people, enhancing equity, building community, improving systems for long lasting impact, and increasing opportunities for people to thrive.
Sharon Khavulani is a passionate youth leader and community development advocate with a strong foundation in grassroots mobilization, civic engagement, and youth mentorship. She brings a unique blend of empathy, leadership, and experience to every space she serves.
Sharon has interned with several impactful organizations including Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), Boy With a Ball, and Sunflower Trust, where she gained hands-on experience in program implementation, community outreach, and social change initiatives. These opportunities shaped her drive to champion equity, inclusion, and meaningful youth participation in decision-making spaces.
As a Board Member at BPL Kenya, Sharon plays an instrumental role in guiding strategic direction, youth-led programming, and leadership development. She is also a proud BPL Kenya Alumni, Class of 2022 a milestone that enriched her leadership journey, sharpened her skills,and deepened her commitment to values-based leadership.
Barlin Lukalishi Muteyo is a 22-year-old recent graduate with a Diploma in Law, passionate about law and community empowerment, with a strong commitment to justice and mentorship. She has worked with the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Javier Georgiardis & Sylvester Law LLP, and GMW Associates Advocates, gaining hands-on experience in legal practice and human rights advocacy.
Beyond law, Barlin is a creative storyteller and content creator who uses her native language (Luhya) to connect with audiences and inspire cultural pride. She has also worked on projects supporting marginalized groups, including initiatives to assist the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic and research on organizations that support boys.
As a BPL Kenya Alumni and Board Member, she helps shape initiatives that reimagine education and open up new pathways for young people to learn, lead, and thrive through storytelling.
Vyetty Muturi is a passionate community health advocate andproud alumnus of BPL Kenya. He began his journey with BPL Kenya while in secondary school as part of the Leadership Academy, where he developed his passion for youth empowerment, mental health awareness, and community development. His lived experience within the program continues to inspire his contribution as a board member, supporting initiatives that nurture young people to discover their purpose and potential.
During his time as a student at BPL Kenya, Muchiri led mental health awareness projects and helped develop a youth-focused handbook on animal-assisted therapy, which reached young people across communities in Kinoo and Kawangware. His work strengthened access to mental health education and encouraged open dialogue among young people and families.
Beyond BPL Kenya, Muchiri served with Fikisha Kenya as a Program Assistant, coordinating tuition programs and family support walkthroughs that built confidence among children and strengthened community relationships. He has also volunteered as a Mental Wellbeing Supporter with 7 Cups, offering compassionate emotional support to individuals globally.
Muchiri holds a Diploma in Community Health and Development from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and continues to champion inclusive, empathetic, and youth-centered approaches to community growth.
BPL USA
Board
Jennie Willens is a lifelong educator whose career has centered on global arts education, student support for all children and school leadership for diverse populations. For the past 8 years, Jennie has served as an administrator and teacher at Echo Horizon School in Culver City, CA (currently as Assistant Head of School). Echo Horizon School is a unique independent and non-public school model that is built on inclusive education and co-enrollment for students who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH). In 2019, Jennie had the privilege of joining the Ustahimilivu Dadas Program, the first US-Kenyan Educator’s Exchange Program with BPL Kenya. The collaboration with Carol’s team, Kibera educators and the Kibera community was transformative. Echo Horizon School has been partnering with Carol and BPL Kenya ever since and not only are we proud partners, we are committed to bringing new partnerships to BPL Kenya in coming years in Los Angeles and beyond.
Grace Wakefield sees the young people of Nairobi are extraordinary. They are brilliant, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to building a better future for themselves and their communities. In Nairobi’s informal settlements, young people are navigating complex challenges, leading movements, imagining new possibilities, and realizing their full potential through programs like BPL Kenya. Supporting their leadership and being a part of sustaining educational opportunities for them to grow is what calls me to this work.
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Grace studied at the University of San Francisco and the University of Cape Town. Her schooling experiences deepened her commitment to global learning and youth empowerment. She spent her career in education, teaching public elementary school in both San Francisco, CA and Chelsea, MA. In her practice she values equity, community partnership, and ensuring that young people have the opportunities and support to thrive. These values are embedded in BPL Kenya’s work, and she is honored to serve on this board.
Annie Roach is an elementary school teacher, instructional coach, lecturer, and artist based in San Francisco, California. She believes deeply in the necessity of high-quality community schools that are worthy of our young people. Annie’s belief that excellent schools depend on excellent teachers drives her work coaching elementary educators and teaching pre-service teacher candidates at the University of the Pacific. She is passionate about learning alongside reflective teachers who are committed to improving outcomes for their students – from Nairobi to California.
Spending time with the students, teachers, and staff at BPL Kenya was a transformational experience that showed Annie what is possible when communities believe in and invest in the brilliance of young people. Inspired by her time in Nairobi’s informal settlements in 2025, she brings 17 years of experience in California public schools, along with a commitment to collaboration and creative thinking, to her role on the BPL Kenya USA Board, where she looks forward to following the lead of students, educators, and young leaders toward a better future.
Kelli Riggs has dedicated 30 years to the field of education, with experience spanning both educational nonprofits and teaching. Her work as an instructional coach led to her participation in BPL Kenya’s Ustahimilivu Dadas Educators’ Exchange Program in 2019. Through this program, she worked alongside fellow educators to support teachers and students in community schools in Nairobi.
This experience provided Kelli with the opportunity to share her expertise as an instructional coach while also deepening her understanding of community-driven approaches to education. The exchange proved transformative, strengthening her commitment to educational leadership and ultimately influencing her decision to pursue an administrative role.
Kelli currently serves as an Assistant Principal in San Francisco, California.
Freddie (Michael) Veres became an educator by way of being a basketball coach — needing a teaching credential to coach at schools and support his family. Along the way, he learned that everything he does as a coach — earning trust, building teamwork, etc — works wonders when applied to being a teacher. He really found “his people” when he joined South Valley High School in Ukiah, CA (two hours north of San Francisco) and helped convert a traditional continuation school into a Big Picture Learning program. Being an advisory teacher is exactly like coaching — you build a community of learners who support each other. COVID really shattered this community, but Freddie started a program called ZOT (Zooming Opportunities Together) that brought students from Big Picture Learning schools all over the world together, once a week, to “hang out” online and try to keep some kind of community connection going. It was through ZOT that he first met the amazing Carol Owala and her amazing students from Kenya. The bond formed online was strong, but it became unbreakable when Freddie met those students in person while on the Leaving To Learn Summit in Kenya in 2023 and witnessed Carol and her program in action. He is committed to seeing BPL Kenya flourish and help their community long-term.
Pam Gordon brings 30 years of experience in education, dedicated to equity-focused, student-driven practices. After a career in public and charter leadership, Pam earned her doctorate focusing on civic education and amplifying student voice. In 2015, she joined Massachusetts’ first Big Picture Learning school, drawn to its relationship-based, internship-driven model that connects students to their communities.
Pam is drawn to BPL Kenya’s work in Nairobi’s informal settlements by the power of interest-based learning to disrupt systemic inequity and empower youth to reclaim their own narratives. Since 2018, she has supported the mission by leading Leaving to Learn trips to Kenya, bridging international perspectives on student-centered design. Currently, she is providing strategic leadership to establish the BPL Kenya US Board to ensure long-term sustainability. As a BPL consultant, Pam also leverages her expertise in research, the ImBlaze platform, and the IBPLC to support school design. She chairs the Board for the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School and enjoys outdoor adventures with her family.
Leonardo Oppedisano: As an educator of 25 years, I have always been interested in identifying and removing barriers to learning. Meeting Carol and learning about her work completely changed my worldview regarding obstacles to receiving an education. I am inspired by the vision, dedication and love with which Carol pursues the goals of BPL Kenya. As a Big Picture Advisor and ER Specialist for 18 years, I believe in the power of this model. I hope to use my skills and network connections to share the BPL Kenya story far and wide. In doing so, it is my mission to leverage every opportunity to support this work.
Chiara Kupiec: For more than 20 years, education has been at the center of my work and one of the things I care about most. In my current role as a supervisor of World Languages, Music, and Family and Consumer Sciences, I work closely with teachers and programs that help students grow academically while also developing confidence, creativity, and real-world skills. What drew me to BPL Kenya was the powerful vision behind its work in Nairobi’s informal settlements and the belief that every student deserves access to meaningful educational opportunities, regardless of circumstance. Carol’s commitment to making that vision a reality deeply inspired me and made me want to be part of this work. I value how BPL Kenya helps students build practical skills, see new possibilities for their future, and develop the tools they need to create lasting change in their own communities.
Anthonette Peña, Director at Big Picture Learning, leads B-Unbound, an initiative that partners with extended learning organizations to expand real-world learning opportunities for young people. A former middle school science teacher, she is a National Board Certified Teacher and Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow who served at the National Science Foundation. Anthonette has worked to expand access to STEM and computer science education, particularly for women and historically marginalized communities. Her experience leading national education initiatives and community-based programs informs her commitment to learning that connects young people to authentic, real-world experiences. Anthonette was raised by a single mom, who grew up in a province in the Philippines similar to Nairobi’s informal settlements. As the first person in her family to graduate from both high school and college, Anthonette brings a deeply personal understanding of the barriers many students face — and the transformative power of education to open doors.
BPL Kenya
Staff
Samantha Nyabola, Program Lead, is a seasoned educator with over 15 years of experience. She is passionate about providing quality education more so in marginalized communities and urban informal settlements, understanding its critical role in improving economic opportunities and living standards for families. Many children in these areas lack access to quality education, which hinders their ability to compete for opportunities and thrive in life. Samantha is committed to empowering educators with the skills to build and lead safe, effective schools, and supporting young people in discovering their potential, building self-efficacy, developing leadership skills, and becoming self-advocates.
Her extensive experience includes roles as a classroom teacher and Dean of Students at Nairobi Muslim Academy. She also worked at Dignitas Limited as an Instructional Coach, Leadership Coach and School Support Manager, where she supported teachers in marginalized public and private schools in Kenya and South Sudan, and trained Curriculum Support Officers. Beyond her education work, Samantha is also a certified Counseling Psychologist.
Valary Makena is the Finance and Administration Officer at BPL Kenya, where she oversees financial planning, operations, and administrative functions that ensure the organization runs efficiently and stays aligned with its mission. With a strong foundation in finance, administration, and operations she excels at developing systems that strengthen organizational performance and impact.
Born and raised in Kenya, Valary is passionate about creating opportunities that empower women and young people to reach their full potential, while fostering community development. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new adventures, reading memoirs, and nurturing meaningful connections. She believes in living fully in the present, showing up wholeheartedly, and inspiring others to do the same.
Christine Owala serves as the Finance and Operations Assistant at BPL Kenya, where she ensures the smooth running of logistics. Since joining BPL Kenya in 2020, Christine has brought a strong commitment to community service and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in all her work. Driven by curiosity and a passion for learning, Christine is currently pursuing her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification. She is deeply committed to fostering efficiency and teamwork as she supports efforts to empower young leaders across different communities.
Bridget Mugambi is the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer at BPL Kenya. She has a background in education .She brings both analytical and pedagogical expertise to her role. Before joining BPL Kenya, Bridget taught for two years, an experience that deepened her understanding of learner needs and program effectiveness. In her current role, she diligently monitors and evaluates BPL Kenya’s programs to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with the organization’s goals. She oversees data collection and analysis, and reporting, providing insightful findings that inform program design and continuous improvement. Her work has directly contributed to the introduction of new topics in the curriculum based on young people’s needs.
Bridget also facilitates student sessions and plays a vital role in bridging communication between BPL Kenya and its internal and external stakeholders and partners. She led the implementation of the 24- week Girl Rising gender sensitization curriculum for 2 years, ensuring timely reporting and adherence to implementation timelines. Through her leadership in assessments, learners are able to track their growth, take ownership of their learning, and provide feedback that shapes organizational decisions. Certified in Data Analysis and Monitoring and Evaluation, Bridget is passionate about helping young people recognize their power, and take bold steps toward transforming their lives, families and communities. She finds great fulfillment in witnessing the positive impact of BPL Kenya’s work on youth empowerment.
Crispin Oyola is a multilingual communications specialist and passionate advocate for educational well-being at BPL Kenya. With 10+ years of experience spanning digital media, strategic storytelling, and Reputation Management within the nonprofit and education sectors, Crispin is skilled at crafting and delivering compelling, clear narratives. He leads efforts in audience engagement while ensuring a supportive environment for learners.
Rooted in the Ikigai Model, his work philosophy emphasizes purpose, well-being, and meaningful contribution. Fluent in English and Kiswahili, Crispin also supports educational governance as a Board Member for ACK Uthiru Mixed Secondary School.
Our
Partners
We are grounded by our deepest partnership with the Cheka Mamas Collective, the women’s sewing cooperative who provided the initial seed funding to launch our work.
TRIMM GLOBAL
CHARITIES
Trimm Global Charities provides young women from marginalized communities the opportunity to attend a high-quality college and develop as leaders and role models in their communities. In 2023, in partnership with BPL Kenya, Trimms Global Charities launched an education initiative to support youths from the Kuna Nuru Leadership Academy. Three girls from the KNLA have been selected to join the Dr. Trimm Scholars’ program.
Through this partnership, BPL Kenya graduates have been privileged to receive mentorship, career advice and leadership development training from seasoned Trimm’s professionals who honor their unique journeys, provide valuable guidance, inspire ambition and equip them for a brighter future. Additionally, the scholarship and tuition assistance program breaks down financial barriers, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to access quality education and achieve academic success.
BIG PICTURE
LEARNING USA
BPL Kenya officially joined the International BPL network in 2018. BPL International network offers BPL Kenya the opportunity to engage with a community of (BPL) practitioners and leaders seeking to positively impact the education sector. Through their support, BPL Kenya hosted an international Leaving to Learn summit for BPL educators in July 2024. These have afforded BPL Kenya the opportunity to present our work and impact to wide audiences of scholars, practitioners and education stakeholders.
Big Picture
Learning Australia
Early in 2021, BPL Kenya began a conversation with Big Picture Learning Australia (BPLA) about adopting their innovative International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPLC); a universally applicable assessment tool that offers new broader measures for assessing learners as people with diverse knowledge, skills and qualities, rather than as numbers. Young people have agency in how they are represented and universities/employers receive meaningful insights into learners’ achievements.
BPLA in collaboration with the University of Melbourne piloted the break-through IBPLC in 2020. So far, 47 KNLA graduates have received their credentials and are using them to apply for colleges and/or look for job opportunities, and 70 KNLA graduates have received the Gateway Certificate which aims to celebrate the achievements of our young people as they transition into their senior studies or life beyond school. Like the International Big Picture Learning Credential, it is hosted by UAC’s Credfolio platform.
PORT OF LOS
ANGELES HIGH
SCHOOL (POLAHS)
We are proud of our collaborative “sister school” relationship with Port of Los Angeles High School in San Pedro, California. Established in December 2025, this partnership bridges Nairobi and California to foster global citizenship and cross-cultural understanding. Through our Cross-Cultural Storytelling & Exchange Program, young people from both institutions act as digital pen pals.
Utilizing photography, writing, and digital media, they share diverse perspectives and creative projects. This collaboration provides a platform for authentic, real-world learning that transcends geographical boundaries, helping youth hone their leadership and communication skills for an interconnected world.
CHEKA MAMAS
COLLECTIVE
Resillient mothers dedicated to improving
their families’ futures.
Empowering Mothers, Educating Leaders At BPL Kenya, we believe that real, lasting change happens when the community supports what it cares about. Nowhere is this principle clearer than in our profound and self-sustaining partnership with the Cheka Mamas Collective.
The Cheka Mamas (meaning “Laughing Mothers”) is a women’s cooperative established in 2011. This collective brings together resilient mothers from different villages across Kibera who are dedicated to improving their families’ futures. But the Mamas are more than an income-generating project; The Cycle of Community Support (Section 103 Update).
The Cycle of Community Support
This partnership creates a powerful, virtuous cycle that fuels
the future of young leaders in Nairobi:
1/
Handcrafted with Heart
BPL Kenya was built on the proceeds from Cheka mamas’ handcrafted merchandise, which provided the essential seed funding to transform a vision into reality.
2/
Fueling the Future
Our growth was further propelled by a global village of supporters, a passionate GoFundMe campaign, the steadfast partnership of Elena Aguilar vis Bright Morning, and enthusiastic volunteers.
3/
Investing in Legacy
Every donation honors the mothers of Kibera who started it all and ensures the next generation has the resources to archtect their own futures.
Cheka Mamas is not just a funding source; they are one of our most valued and active partners. Their dedicated contributions demonstrate a community that is deeply invested in creating pathways for its next generation of leaders, showcasing the incredible power that results when local support meets global partnership.
