What began as a response to one community's crisis has grown into a locally-led movement creating lasting change through education throughout 50+ government schools in East Africa.

Today, our work reaches thousands of children and families through strong partnerships with communities, schools and governments, all united by a shared vision: An end to extreme child poverty.

So They Can was founded in 2009 following the 2007 Kenyan election violence, which displaced hundreds of thousands of people and left many families without access to education, employment or basic services.

When our founders, Cassandra Treadwell and Keri Chittenden met with affected communities in Nakuru, one message stood above all others:

We need a school for our children. Education is the only inheritance we can give them.

That simple but powerful request shaped everything that followed.

Working alongside the community and the government, So They Can established Aberdare Ranges Primary School - a new opportunity for children in Nakuru to access quality education. Over time, our work and reach expanded, focusing beyond school infrastructure and education to address the wider barriers that prevent children from learning and succeeding.

Today, we partner with communities across Kenya and Tanzania to help create sustainable pathways out of poverty through education.