Sophia A

Sophia traveled to Kenya for the first time in the summer of 2016. During this trip, she found that the children she met loved to dance, but that dance was not part of any formal education. As a dancer herself, Sophia believes that having an arts education is an essential part of childhood and enables children to reach their full potential. At the age of 14, Sophia founded Ngoma Kenya, which funds dance classes for children on the outskirts of Nairobi. Sophia, along with an in-country team of musicians and choreographers, is working towards building a performing arts center that can be used in many ways—as a space where students can practice their art, receive meals, get social and academic support, and relax. She has been able to raise thousands of dollars and conduct dancing classes for young people in Kenya.