Hatua Alumni Excelling at Equity Bank

Hatua Network’s mission is to promote equal opportunity in Kenya by providing promising, low-income students with scholarships, mentoring and career guidance that prepare them to join professional careers and serve as a link between their community and professional networks.

​The majority of the first students enrolled in our program have completed their undergraduate degree and are now employed, helping them to raise the living standards of their families and provide themselves with a very promising future.

​Our beneficiaries always remain part of the Hatua Network family as they are a great manifestation of the efforts and commitment of our core work. Looking at the alumni who have succeeded in their careers has inspired us to believe more in the power of programs including mentoring throughout the life of an individual.

Sherryl Osano was lucky to make it through Hatua’s first application process in 2007. She is the 5th born in a family of six. Before receiving Hatua’s scholarship Sherryl hoped to join a Day School within Likoni, “That is the best my parents could afford, I was prepared to do my best whenever I got admitted”. Luckily enough Peter Kwame, Hatua Network’s Co-founder, and Programs Director, called my parents and informed them of the good news. Hatua Network took me in as one of their beneficiaries when I joined Waa Girls High School. I later moved to Moi Forces Academy where I finished my O level with an A minus . She later joined Chuka University where she pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Statistics. Sheryl was the first in her family to pursue higher education.

While at the University Hatua paired Sherryl with Jane Githui, an economics and urban planning expert working with the county government of Mombasa department of Land, housing and physical planning.

 Sherryl describes her relationship with her mentor as supportive and educative. After 4 years of studying at the university, Sherryl graduated with first-class honors in Economics and Statistics and joined the County Government of Mombasa as an Economics and Planning Intern.

Her first paying job was as an Entrepreneurship Facilitator with Imarisha Vijana a program that was supported by the KUZA project in partnership with Adam Smith International in 2017. Sheryl also worked as an accounts clerk at St. Thomas Maternity Hospital before joining Equity Bank as a Credit Officer where she is currently working.

Banking Career

I have always loved working in the banking industry. After my graduation, I was not choosy but I treated whatever job I had at any given time as a stepping stone towards banking. I’m looking forward to growing in my career and willing to take up a higher role within the banking industry. Becoming a Credit Officer at Equity Bank was a dream come true.

Advice to students

None of us can ever predict their future based on where they come from. Opportunities like the one Hatua provides for students from low-income families is a great equalizer. The difference between our dreams and actualization is patience, persistence and always trusting in God. Those of us who have been privileged to see the light should not be afraid to share the light with others. I have helped some students to edit their CVs and get interviews that will land them jobs if all goes well. I’m always keeping my ears open to share opportunities with recent graduates in the job hunt process.