Renaissance Woman: Victoria Njau

Is there anything Victoria Njau cannot do? She is the reigning Miss Kenya USA 2008 who will represent Kenya at the Miss Africa Pageant. She is a pre-med student who one day hopes to not only practice medicine, but also embark in Kenya's political arena to serve her country. Victoria is also actively involved in charitable endeavors on behalf of African youth. Any doubt that she's a true renaissance woman? Here's her story in her words:

23 years ago I was born to a Luo mother and a Kikuyu father, but only got a chance to be raised by my mother. I grew up in a small cultured village filled with traditional rituals and taboos of a primitive society, the outside world at large did not exist, but in the next few years after my elementary education, it did introduced itself to me but only to a certain limit and never reached ABOVE my level at the time. My educational journey started out well, by me going to one of the best prestigious elementary schools, but that journey ended with me graduating on merit of my performance, luckily the same journey brought me to the United States to study Medicine.

I am currently a sophomore at University Of Texas at Dallas pursing a bachelor’s degree in a double major; Biology/ Business management. I aspire to continue my educational pursuit by attending medical school in the near future. With a well mapped out future for myself, I plan to achieve my ultimate goal of being a well-educated woman who can make meaningful contributions to individuals everywhere with an ultimate goal of one day to serve in the Kenyan politics, while holding the interest of people at heart. My heartfelt need to assist and attempt to make a difference in the lives of others has been my driving force in my charitable endeavors. I have been blessed with great sponsors here in the United States; they have provided financial support for some of the many charitable projects. In collaboration with them, I have been given the opportunity to aid in the education of four students back in my home school, I have provided educational supplies for students, and opened Victoria Harvard Academy, an elementary school and Victoria Medical Center all for the benefit of the people in my village. This medical center provides treatment with limited monetary exchange. Treated patients pay for the services provided with agricultural produce, and a limited supply of food for the school. I believe I don’t have to be rich to help, I have the ability to make a difference daily, and I attempt to put that belief to practice through volunteering at a shelter in Dallas, teaching reading and English, and by making small donations of food and clothing.

As the newly crowned Miss Kenya USA 2008-2009, my desire is to make more contributions to the people of Kenya, be the spokesperson for the Kenyan Community in America, focus on changing lives of orphans in my village and keeping my already established charitable endeavors funded and operating smoothly.

If I am to be crowned Miss Africa USA 2008-2009, I intend to seek more sponsorship and support to continue making change in the lives of Africans. I plan to be a spokesperson in promoting education, campaign against domestic violence and to promote health care. My desire is to give hope to the many hopeless individuals especially orphans in Africa.