What inspired you to create Ridhika?
I noticed that in my community, a lot of capable and driven young people who would like to work to solve existing problems did not exactly have the skillset to act. This, along with high unemployment rates in Kenya especially amongst Kenyan youth meant that a lot of college graduates could not get gainful employment or create opportunities for themselves.
Who was your role model and/or inspiration?
My parents inspire me because they sacrificed a lot for me to get an education. They have also always supported my sometimes rather unconventional thinking. They are also my role models because of the amount of work they put into helping my community.
What does your future look like? What do you plan to do?
I plan on pursuing a career in the tech field. I like building things and understanding how things work, so I hope to be in a field where I can leverage technology to continually build things that solve problems. As for Ridhika, we plan on expanding the program to more high school chapters. We are working to connect with corporations to set up internships for students who have gone through our program. We are also expanding our offerings in terms of the skillsets students might want to pursue with us.
What advice do you have for fellow or younger students?
Do what you enjoy and help others in your community.
What motivates you?
Realizing that learning enables me to build solutions for problems I see everyday. I realize that I still have a lot to learn, and want to keep doing that. Continuous improvement is very important to me.
What is your favorite book at the moment?
‘Is It Possible’ by Henry R Ole Kulet
What is the best piece of advice have you received that has helped you be successful?
Do what you enjoy and pursue problems you genuinely want to solve. Help people; I think karma is very real.
How has your life and daily routines in regards to your company changed as a result of COVID-19?
Because of the pandemic, students can no longer physically gather in computer labs and classrooms. With limited access to devices such as computers and internet access in their homes, running out bootcamp with a new cohort this year has faced quite the roadblock. However, we are collaborating with students from past cohorts on side projects to help them expand, maintain and improve the skills they would like to build.
If you could go back in time, is there, if at all, anything you’d do differently?
Yes. One thing I’ve learned this year is that learning how and when to ask for help is a skill. I would’ve wanted to be not as headstrong in wanting to solve problems on my own and ask for help sooner. Thankfully I’m learning to do that now.
If you could know the absolute truth to one question, what would you ask?
Is attaining happiness possible regardless of a person’s background and choices?
In your opinion, who do you think is the most impressive person in the world right now, and why?
I don’t want to say Elon Musk because I feel like a lot of people will say him, but I think that it’s just self-evident. His drive has literally pushed mankind one step, if not several, forward.