Building a Future in Rebecca Cheptegei's Memory
Updated: 1 day ago
In Endebess, Kenya, where Ugandan long-distance and marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei lived, a new vision is taking shape in her memory through the Rebecca Cheptegei Empowerment Centre. Rebecca represented her country on the international stage before her life was tragically cut short in September 2024, at the age of 33. The Centre will create a space for people in her community to learn, build skills and pursue new opportunities.
A significant step towards establishing the Centre has already been taken. The Endebess community has donated a one-acre piece of land to us, which we will hold in trust for community development programmes.
Endebess is a rural community in Trans Nzoia County, surrounded by fertile farmland and a strong agricultural economy. Maize, beans and coffee are grown across the area, alongside livestock keeping, small businesses and other forms of enterprise. The community has many of the foundations for sustainable livelihoods and there is room to build on these strengths by expanding access to the knowledge, skills and connections that can help people make the most of what Endebess has to offer.
Spending time with people in Endebess has given us a clearer picture of what can help that potential reach more people. Through community dialogues, school visits and our scoping work, we heard about barriers that continue to affect access to education and skills development, particularly for young people. These included early marriage, poverty, marginalisation and small landholdings that can limit production and livelihood opportunities.
These conversations are helping shape what the Centre can become, while contributing to our vision for a thriving Endebess where people have the skills and confidence to build secure, sustainable futures. The Centre is one step towards this goal, grounded in what people have identified as important for their community and in our commitment to build on local strengths and invest in solutions that communities can own and sustain.
During a visit to the site, our CEO, Janine Edwards, shared what she had heard from the community: “The community have told us they want a place where they can learn skills, both practical skills that they can use for employment or businesses, life skills, a place where children who have missed out on education can come and catch up on that education and a place where people can learn skills that they can take back into their households.”
The land itself is a powerful expression of local commitment. By contributing land for the Centre, community members are helping shape what will happen there and ensuring that local voices remain central as the project develops. Community leaders, schools, training institutions and government are also part of the wider effort to shape the Centre and its future.
The Centre will build on lessons from the Arise Centre in Homa Bay, while adapting its approach to the needs and opportunities of Endebess. At Arise, 4 in 5 graduates secure employment or become self-employed when followed up after 12 months of completing their training. This experience will help inform how we support the Endebess community shape their Centre for Empowerment.
The Rebecca Cheptegei Empowerment Centre plans to offer vocational training alongside digital literacy, climate-smart agriculture, entrepreneurship and social enterprise. Together, these areas will give people different ways to develop their capabilities, explore livelihoods and apply what they learn in their homes, businesses and wider community.
Our wider work in Endebess has also reinforced the importance of local leadership. Through PFP Stawisha Endebess, our foundation programme, we have supported locally led initiatives that create opportunities for people to build skills, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to the wellbeing of their community. The Rebecca Cheptegei Empowerment Centre builds on this experience, bringing together learning, enterprise and community leadership in one place.
Adolescent youth life skills and capacity building session. Back to school back to hope program career guidance capacity building for teen mothers. Distribution of dignity packs in Endebess. Building Stronger Starts for Children Through the Back to School, Back to Hope P[rogramme. School social enterprises in Endebess.
The next phase is about turning this shared vision into something people can use. We will continue working with local partners to develop the Centre in a way that responds to the needs of Endebess and creates lasting value for the people who will use it.
Your support can help bring the Rebecca Cheptegei Empowerment Centre to life, creating a place where people in Endebess can learn, develop practical skills, explore enterprise and build more secure livelihoods. Donate to support Rebecca Cheptegei Empowerment Centre.
