There are stories that stir you. Not because they begin with privilege or prestige, but because they are born out of struggle and lit by a relentless desire to rewrite the narrative.
Nelly Cheboi’s story is one of them.
Born and raised in Mogotio, a small rural village in Kenya, Nelly grew up in a home where going hungry wasn’t unusual, and attending school barefoot was a norm. Poverty was her daily reality – raw and unforgiving. Yet even as a child, she was certain of one thing:
“I never forgot what it felt like to go to bed hungry. That gave me the fuel to change things.”
Today, Nelly Cheboi is the founder of TechLit Africa, a nonprofit bringing computer science and digital opportunities to thousands of children across rural Kenya. But her journey to becoming CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2022 wasn’t paved with convenience – it was defined by courage.
A Vision Beyond Borders
In 2012, Nelly won a full scholarship to study Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at Augustana College in Illinois. She had never touched a computer before then. Yet within four years, she wasn’t only writing code – she was already building a vision to transform her hometown.
She worked multiple jobs, lived frugally, and even cleaned toilets to save money. Why? To start a school in her village and ship donated computers back to Kenya. She personally carried suitcases full of tech on her flights home, refusing to let distance, bureaucracy, or burnout hinder her mission.
When she co-founded TechLit Africa in 2019, it wasn’t just about bringing hardware into classrooms. It was about building a system where young kids could learn tangible skills like HTML, typing, Python, graphic design, and even video editing – skills that could one day earn them a living beyond local limitations.
“I’m passionate about creating employment opportunities for people in rural Africa. My goal is not just to give them tools, but to give them purpose.”
A System That Gives Hope
TechLit Africa now reaches over 4,000 students across 10 schools and counting. In places where access to the internet once felt like a fantasy, children now build websites, solve coding challenges, and gain confidence to imagine themselves as global contributors – not just passive consumers.
What makes Nelly’s work so compelling isn’t just the technology – it’s her belief that hope is best delivered with systems. Sustainable ones. She trains locals to become tech instructors. She ensures computers are recycled and repurposed. She builds bridges not just between continents, but between generations and their dreams.
She says,
“I don’t just want to tell these kids they matter. I want to give them the tools to prove it to the world.”
Lessons from Nelly Cheboi
Nelly’s journey is a masterclass in what’s possible when passion meets perseverance. She teaches us that you don’t need to wait for perfect conditions to start something meaningful. You just need a reason that’s bigger than your comfort.
Her life echoes this truth:
Empowerment doesn’t always start with a microphone or a massive stage – it often begins quietly, with one bold step toward service.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by where to start or what impact you can make, remember Nelly’s story. Start with what you have. Ask what you can carry. Give what you know. Build what you believe. Even if you must carry computers in suitcases, do it.
Because the world doesn’t change by watching from the sidelines. It changes when people like Nelly Cheboi step in – and stay.
Inspire Monday Challenge:
This week, think of one area where you can serve, teach, or uplift – even if it seems small. What skill do you have that could change someone else’s story?
And as Nelly Cheboi reminds us:
“Poverty has an expiration date. If we give people the right skills and the right tools, we can end it – in our lifetime.”
Let’s believe that. Let’s build that.
