How sports scholarships are helping six Kenyan hockey stars realise their dreams in USA

In Ratta village in Kisumu County, young girls in class five received an unlikely offer: an invitation to join a hockey programme with a promise of education, support, and a shot at something bigger.

For many, this was the beginning of a new journey - one defined not just by sport, but by opportunity, resilience, and a community that refused to give up.

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For six young women – Vivian Onunga, Caren Tabu, Ateka Owino, Lavenda Winde, Laureen Otieno, and Joy Atieno that journey began in 2016 under the wings of Tunza Sports.

What started as a grassroots initiative would eventually become their ticket to higher education and college hockey in the United States.

What is Tunza Sports and why it matters

Tunza Sports Foundation is a youth-development organisation working in rural Kenya, using sport, particularly hockey to create pathways out of poverty and into education.

Their mission goes beyond the pitch: they aim to empower underprivileged children, especially girls, to access high-quality secondary education and eventually higher education through athletic scholarships.

Tunza targets rural areas often ignored by mainstream sports infrastructure.

According to founder Rael Otieno, they intentionally “take sport to them” rather than expecting children to travel from remote villages to urban facilities.

The program is not only about hockey; it integrates community outreach, life skills, school support, and mentorship to address social challenges such as poverty, early pregnancies, and lack of opportunities.

Meeting the girls — from class five to college athletes

For Vivian Onunga, being recruited by Tunza in 2016 (when she was in class five) marked the start of what she now calls “a very great experience.”

She explains that Tunza did not just open doors through sport, “Tunza provided the needful so that we could get education without any problems.” Reflecting on the open recruitment session, she adds, “It gave us the opportunity to join.”

Similarly, Caren Tabu described herself as one of the “biggest beneficiaries” of Tunza. After completing her KCPE, she received an admission letter to Sinyolo Girls Secondary School, something she says she never believed would happen until Tunza stepped in.

“Tunza handled everything until I finished high school,” said Tabu.

These early interventions such as sports programmes, school placement, uniforms and fees saved many girls from the fate of dropping out or missing formal education altogether.

Beyond providing access, Tunza laid a foundation of teamwork, discipline, and sisterhood. Vivian emphasises how being in Tunza taught her “about sisterhood, being a family, and looking out for my sisters.”

Ateka Owino notes that Tunza’s coaching shaped her understanding of the game. “Tunza helped me know when and how to apply certain skills during a match, and that has shaped my personal traits as a player.”

Exposure to multiple coaching styles also gave them a tactical edge as Joy Atieno says, “Being coached by different coaches helped us become better players. It showed in 2023 when we won Nationals and FEASSSA.”

Those early years under Tunza ensured the girls not only learned how to play hockey, but also the values of discipline, adaptability, and confidence.

2023 was a breakthrough year. With much of the squad nurtured by Tunza, Nyamira Girls stunned many by clinching the regional high-school championship.

The victory did not just bring medals, it brought recognition.

For Vivian, being named MVP during that campaign was life-changing. “Many clubs wanted me,” she recalls.

That attention opened doors beyond Kenya. College-level scholarships abroad suddenly became a real possibility.

The win underscored Tunza’s vision; sports as a ladder out of poverty, a means to education and a platform to shine.

From Kisumu to Goucher, scholarships and a new horizon

As the girls transitioned from high school, Tunza did not stop supporting them.

They provided mentorship, linked them to scholarship opportunities, and guided them through the application process.

Ateka reflects on this support, “Tunza gave us more information about scholarships, advising us on where to apply, connecting us to opportunities that we couldn’t have done by ourselves.”

The emotional impact of this transition was profound. “Me being the first person in my family to board a flight made me feel very special.I really appreciate Tunza," says Ateka.

For Lavenda, the journey is even more personal. When her school fees support was withdrawn in Form Two due to academic setbacks, Tunza refused to abandon her.

They reminded her of her value and rescued her education. Without them, she might have dropped out.

It is this unyielding support that turned dreamers in rural Kenya into student-athletes at a U.S. college.

New turf, new challenges but Tunza prepared them

Joining Goucher College brought a new set of tests, a different style of play, higher fitness demands, balancing studies with sport, and adapting to an unfamiliar culture.

In Kenya, the girls were accustomed to a more team-oriented approach. But as Caren explains:

“At Goucher, you have to first work on your personal skills and be a better player.”

She adds that her versatility came from Tunza “I came as a defender, but now I play midfield and even forward.”

Vivian agrees that Tunza prepared them well, “Tunza made us able to adapt to the environment very well.”

Beyond tactics and skills, the foundation of character built back home has been essential abroad.

Lavenda says Tunza’s programme taught her leadership and responsibility.

Joy adds that values of discipline and self-esteem “especially when facing culture shock and racism” have helped them navigate tough moments.

Their growth is not just athletic; these are young women evolving into confident individuals.

Looking ahead, giving back, expanding the circle

Despite their new lives abroad, the girls remain committed to giving back.

Caren dreams of becoming like Rael and reaching hundreds of children, “I would like to see Tunza in every part of the country and have other girls in a position like mine.”

Laureen hopes to return during holidays to support the programmes, “I want to help with basketball, indoor games - anywhere I can assist Tunza.”

Rael’s message is simple but powerful: start early, encourage multi-sport engagement, build structured age-group development, and keep girls engaged even during holidays.

She cautions that some talented girls have been lost in the past to teenage pregnancies or lack of support.

Her vision is bold, transforming rural youth through sport, education, and mentorship and creating role models who return to uplift their communities.

Challenges remain but so does hope

The journey has not been easy. Sustainability remains a challenge: shipping equipment, funding, coaching, and building facilities like an artificial pitch or hostels for rural athletes.

Rural Kenya still lacks structured sports programmes, and girls remain vulnerable to dropout, early marriage, and lack of opportunity.

Tunza tries to fill that gap, but its resources are limited.

Yet, the success story of these six girls stands as proof that with vision, support, and belief, talent can flourish and lives can change.

The story of Vivian, Caren, Ateka, Lavenda, Laureen, and Joy is not just about hockey. It is about what happens when opportunity meets preparation, when a community refuses to accept poverty as destiny, when a foundation like Tunza commits to empowerment and equity.

These young women carry the hopes of their families and communities. Though far away, their roots remain strong and Tunza remains their anchor.

Their journey is far from over; in many ways, it has only begun. And for every young girl in rural Kenya, their message is loud: Dreams are valid. The field is open.