My name is Serah Wakaba, and I’m proud to be a Moringa School alumnus, an achievement made possible through the incredible support of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. What started as a conversation with a friend turned into a life-changing opportunity that reshaped not only my career but also my confidence and purpose.
During my fourth year pursuing a Computer Science degree at St. Paul’s University, I hit a wall. Despite being close to graduation, I felt unprepared for the tech world. Like many students from underprivileged backgrounds, I struggled with more than just academics. My mother carried the heavy financial burden of my education, and with no reliable internet access in our neighbourhood, upskilling on my own felt impossible. I began to question whether my dream of a tech career would ever become a reality.
That’s when I learned about Moringa School and its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, a beacon of hope when I needed it most. I applied, shared my story, and held onto hope. Months later, I received the best news of my life: I had been accepted with a full scholarship.
From the moment I stepped into the Moringa School coding bootcamp, everything changed. We started with the basics: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and by the end of the first phase, I was building and deploying responsive websites. That moment rekindled my belief in myself. As we advanced, I dove deeper into JavaScript and learned AngularJS, building single-page applications that felt like magic compared to the limited exposure I’d had before.
When it came time to choose a specialisation, I followed my heart: Mobile Development. I learned everything from Java and Android Studio to UI/UX design, RESTful APIs, and Firebase integration. I created mobile apps that solved real-world challenges, developed solid debugging skills, and adopted agile methodologies through team collaboration and code reviews.
But what truly set Moringa School apart was the environment. The instructors were not only experts but also passionate mentors. My peers became collaborators and lifelong friends. Through pair programming, hackathons, and peer-led sessions, I learned how to think on my feet, solve problems under pressure, and most importantly, trust my voice as a developer.
The Mastercard Foundation didn’t just remove financial barriers, it provided a foundation for success. I received a laptop, which was a crucial tool I couldn’t otherwise afford. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they covered my internet costs so I could continue learning without interruption. That level of support allowed me to focus 100% on building my skills, instead of worrying about survival.
Their impact didn’t stop at graduation. Moringa School’s career support team remained by my side, connecting me to internships, job opportunities, and an active alumni network. I still receive job alerts and participate in workshops and events that keep me growing, both professionally and personally.
Today, I work as an Android and iOS developer at Odibets, a leading tech company based in Westlands, Nairobi. Joining the team right after graduating from Moringa was a dream come true. Every day, I apply the skills I gained through the bootcamp to create intuitive, impactful mobile applications. It’s proof that with the right support and tech training in Kenya, real change is possible.
But I’m not stopping here.
My dream is to one day work in a remote tech role, collaborating with international teams on innovative projects, or to lead development teams that are building solutions for communities like mine. Most importantly, I’m passionate about giving back, especially by mentoring young women in tech who may feel unsure of their place, just as I once did. Representation matters, and I want to be a living example of what’s possible.
If you’re considering a path in tech, let this be your sign: take the leap. The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship and Moringa School don’t just teach you how to code, they equip you to change your life. My story is just one of many coding bootcamp success stories proving that with grit, support, and opportunity, a career transformation in tech is absolutely within reach.
Your background doesn’t define your future; your willingness to grow does.
