Christine Lekishon

• Hometown: Narok, Kenya
• Languages Spoken: English and Swahili
• Declared Major(s): Data Science
• Intended Certificate(s): Computer Science

Q and A with Christine

1. Are there specific issues in poverty alleviation or development that you would like to work on or are currently addressing?

I’m currently working on raising awareness about teenage pregnancies through sexual health education and entrepreneurship in Kilgoris, Kenya. My efforts involve 1) Creating and distributing a comprehensive sexual health guide for girls, fostering continuous learning and promoting open discussions with family and friends.2) Providing girls with essential entrepreneurial skills, including handcrafting and bead making, to help them combat period poverty.

2. Why is being a King-Morgridge Scholar important to you?

Being a King-Morgridge Scholar has opened up a whole world of opportunities and experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’ve built strong, long-lasting relationships with other scholars, and these connections go beyond just academics. I’ve also had the chance to meet and talk with people I look up to, like experienced professionals from various fields and diplomats like ambassadors. These conversations have expanded my thinking about my future career.

3. Why is having the King-Morgridge Scholars Program at UW-Madison important to the institution, state, and world?

The King-Morgridge Scholars Program is very important to UW as it is one of the few scholarships that offers full scholarship for international students. Therefore, it contributes largely to the cultural and academic diversity that UW advocates for. For the state and the world, the program’s mission, dedicated to empowering young adults committed to addressing poverty, contributes to global poverty eradication efforts. Scholars who undergo this program have, with support from UW and independently, initiated numerous projects advocating for critical issues such as education, gender equality, and entrepreneurship in their respective communities. Some have achieved these accomplishments during their college years, and one can only envision the transformative impact they will have on society long after graduation.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I love cooking, working out, and taking long walks when I am free.