This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
From Poverty to Philanthropy: Agnes Kagure's Inspiring Journey ¶
Agnes Kagure, a 44-year-old businesswoman from Nyeri County, has an inspiring story of overcoming poverty and achieving success. She spoke to Nation.co.ke about her journey, which has been marked by hard work, determination, and a passion for philanthropy.
Agnes was born in Nyeri County and grew up in a poor family with 11 siblings. She moved to Nairobi at the age of 19 to escape poverty and seek opportunities. She started her life in the Mathare slums, where she couldn't afford decent housing, and later moved to Dandora, Huruma, and Ruiru.
Agnes's journey to success began when she got a job as a commission insurance agent. She worked hard and eventually became a unit manager, leading her agency to win top insurance agency awards for three consecutive years. Today, she has over 20 years of experience in executive management, real estate, hospitality, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Agnes is also a philanthropist and the founder of the Agnes Kagure Foundation, which aims to 'Turn Potentials into Possibilities.' She spends a significant amount of time in philanthropy, supporting women and youth groups, and advocating for social change.
When asked about her greatest challenges, Agnes said, 'My greatest challenge in life was overcoming poverty and creating a successful future for my biological family, my adopted families, and the many charities, youth, and women's groups that I support.'
Agnes has been recognized for her achievements, including being nominated for the Nairobi County deputy governor position and being recognized by the Thai King as a goodwill ambassador. She is also a proud mother of two amazing children and has been recognized as the best in the Association of Kenya Insurers.
When asked about her advice to young people who have given up in life, Agnes said, 'Why should anyone give up when you are alive? They need a combination of working hard and working smart. Working hard is about rolling up your sleeves and sweating it out. There is no replacement to the old-fashioned hard work.'
Agnes also emphasized the importance of working smart, saying, 'Working smart is about using a double dose of your brain to work efficiently and effectively.'
Agnes's story is an inspiration to many, and her message of hope and resilience is a reminder that better days are always ahead of us, not behind us.
