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Peter Kabethi is an education leader and passionate advocate for inclusive learning in Kenya. At age ten, following open-heart surgery, Peter lost his hearing—a life-altering experience that shaped his future calling.

He excelled in primary school and later attended a high school for the deaf, where he witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers Deaf students faced, including limited sign language fluency among teachers and a lack of adapted curricula. Determined to help transform special needs education in his country, he pursued a degree in Special Needs Education at Mount Kenya University, graduating in 2016.

Peter went on to serve at Tumutumu School for the Deaf as a teacher, Head of Department, and leader of the school’s monitoring and evaluation team. His impact extends beyond the classroom through the founding of the Mathira Self Help Group, an initiative that creates employment and business opportunities for Deaf adults while supporting students and families navigating educational pathways. In 2018, he was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow for Young African Leaders in recognition of his leadership. Today, Peter is a respected voice in equitable education and grassroots advocacy, working to ensure Deaf Kenyans have the tools and opportunities to live with dignity and purpose.

As a child, Dr. Melisa Bhebe dreamed of becoming a doctor to help others. That dream began to take shape in 2013, when she became a WMI Scholar and pursued a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the National University of Science and Technology. After graduating, Dr. Bhebe chose to "pay it forward" by founding the Lwisani Uplifting Women In Education-LUWIE Foundation, which supports adolescent girls in her hometown of Hwange with the resources they need to stay in school and grow into community leaders. She has since completed a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Cape Town as a prestigious Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholar, focusing on policy-making and research in African populations.

Through her work and research, Dr. Bhebe champions equitable health care for underserved communities while continuing to mentor and support young women in Zimbabwe. Her leadership has also been recognized within the WMI community, where she received the Founder’s Award and presented at the Dream Big Conference in Nairobi.

Today, Dr. Bhebe’s journey is a beautiful reflection of the long-term impact of education—not only transforming her own life, but the lives of many more along the way.

A 2022 WMI scholar from Malawi, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination in pursuing his education. After losing his father at a young age and facing significant financial challenges, Ackim remained committed to his studies, developing an early passion for computers that would shape his future. With limited access to resources, he took the initiative to teach himself concepts in physics and technology and sought out every opportunity to learn. With support from WMI, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Livingstonia.

Today, Ackim is a software engineer with over four years of professional experience and serves as an Assistant Systems Engineer at the University of Malawi. He is particularly passionate about using technology to drive community impact, and is currently working on a project to make artificial intelligence more accessible to marginalized communities through mobile devices. Through this work, he aims to bridge the digital divide and expand opportunities in Malawi.

Ackim’s journey reflects a steadfast commitment to leveraging innovation for local and global good. .