Hi! I am Mark, a Neurodiverse C5-C6 quadriplegic from Kenya. I’m pursuing an MSc at Edge Hill to blend psychology & AI for disability inclusion. Help me Raise £27,000 for Living expenses.

Here is my Story ;-) -> linktr.ee@markkuria.

I hail from Gikuni, a rural village on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. I am excited to share that I have been awarded the prestigious British Council GREAT Scholarship that fully covers my tuition fee of £17,000 for the Master of Science in Psychology (Conversion) program at Edge Hill University, UK, starting in September 2025! This program is accredited by the British Psychological Society and will be a game-changer for my mission to blend psychology, disability inclusion, and ethical AI to empower vulnerable and marginalised communities across Africa.

While this scholarship alleviates a significant financial burden in this journey, I require your assistance to cover essential, accessible accommodation, living expenses, personal care, and adaptive equipment, which collectively amount to an estimated total of £27,000 ($34,500) throughout the Master's Program. Your contribution will make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity a reality for me and for the millions I aim to uplift and support through inclusive technology and accessible mental health advocacy.

From a young age, I have faced the harsh realities of limited resources in a rural village in Kenya. Growing up in Gikuni, I have always lived with hopes, dreams, and aspirations of having a life with greater meaning, driven by education and impact, within my tight-knit family and my belief system. Despite attending public institutions with scarce resources, I excelled academically, earning admission to the University of Nairobi, the largest and oldest university in Kenya. Here, I studied with sponsorship from the Kenyan Government and a Chinese Ambassador Scholarship awarded by H.E. Zhou Pingjian.

In 2021, I was involved in a horrific car accident that resulted in paralysis from the neck down due to a C5-C6 spinal cord injury. From that point, moving, sitting, eating, and even breathing became a fight. I spent eight months in the hospital, in and out of ICUs and HDUs, while medical bills piled up. My dad, a retired civil servant and now a subsistence farmer, and my mom, a stay-at-home mom, relied entirely on well-wishers. Upon returning to Gikuni, I faced numerous physical challenges, social stigmas and a lack of access to assistive technology.

Refusing to let this injury define who I am, I began rehabilitation therapy, and quickly, I adapted to life in a wheelchair. Education became my lifeline. However, family, friends, and even some of the staff at the University of Nairobi were sceptical of my push to return, due to my injuries and continued dependence on a caregiver. I made a huge sacrifice and got a refurbished laptop, like I always do. I figured it all out. I volunteered with The Human Survival Project, founded SCIAwareness.org, submitted my coursework for the University of Nairobi, completed training with Mastercard Foundation through the Emobilis Institute, completed training with Light For The World, and joined Next Step Foundation, all within two years.

On December 13, 2024, I graduated from the University of Nairobi. At the Graduation Square, I was the only graduate in a wheelchair, with my parents, my mom on the right, my dad on the left, my dad shed a tear as my name was called out while my mom whispered "You've shown the world what is possible". That moment when I graduated with my BA in Sociology and Economics with Second Class Honours drives me to prove that dreams do not have limitations.

My passion for inclusive technology and accessible mental health advocacy has already made significant impacts:

I was recently diagnosed with mild ADHD. I bring a neurodivergent perspective, deepening my commitment to explore how psychology and technology support vulnerable communities.

Africa hosts 70% of the world’s youth under 30, yet only 38% are online, compared to a global average of 68% (ITU, 2023). This digital divide leaves 678 million people offline, with 709 million without broadband access in rural areas. In Kenya, the exclusion of persons with disabilities (2.2% of the population) costs up to 6.95% of GDP, or KES 1 trillion annually (World Bank, 2023). Data costs consume 5.7% of monthly income, far above the UN’s 2% target. Of 55 African countries, only 13 have AI strategies. Additionally, Africa has less than 1% of the world's computing power to attract AI's predicted contribution of $1.2 trillion toward Africa's GDP by 2030 (Africa Renewal, 2024).

As a neurodiverse quadriplegic from rural Kenya, I experience this gap firsthand. My work addresses these barriers, but the scale demands a deeper understanding of human behaviour, hence my pursuit of psychology.

Personal Statement

Statement of Purpose and Motivational Letter

Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, UK, is my dream institution. Edge Hill is a vibrant and inclusive campus, ranked 1st in the UK for accommodation (Uni Compare 2025), ensuring I will thrive as a quadriplegic and International student. The MSc Psychology (Conversion) program is accredited by the British Psychological Society, and it dives deep into biological, cognitive, social, and developmental psychology, perfectly aligning with my goal to understand human behaviour, mental health, and neurodiversity. With a 95.8% employability rate (graduates either get into work or study within 15 months), Edge Hill fully equips me to lead the change. Click here for a Virtual Tour

The Edge Hill Disability and Inclusion Team offers Inclusive Learning Plans (ILPs) and Disabled Students’ Support (DSS), which are essential for my needs. Its modern, accessible campus contrasts with the challenges faced by Kenya’s 2.2% with disabilities accessing higher education. Edge Hill is located near Liverpool, a hub of innovation. Edge Hill’s interdisciplinary research and strategic focus on Africa align with my ethical AI goals. The program’s emphasis on real-world impact prepares me to develop trauma-informed interventions for neurodivergent and marginalised communities, complementing my AI expertise.

This Master’s degree is more than just a degree; it is a launchpad for a pan-African think tank that focuses on ethical AI, data-driven policies, and inclusive digital governance, rooted in Ubuntu values. My research proposal, Bridging the Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa through Ethical AI and Inclusive Digital Governance. A Focus on Accessibility, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Development aims to:

This aligns with AU Agenda 2063, UN SDGs, and Kenya’s AI Strategy 2025–2030, positioning Africa as a global AI leader. Post-graduation, I’ll integrate clinical techniques into Tumaini, training 1,000 PwD peer-counsellors, and establish an Africa-led Inclusive Tech & Psychology Lab to cut the 47.8% AI-literacy gap documented in 2024.

DETAILED AND VERY COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH THESIS PROPOSAL

SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH THESIS PROPOSAL

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH THESIS PROPOSAL

In Kenya, there is no funding for overseas studies, no loans, and no FAFSA. My parents have used everything they have. My Dad had to sell his car to cover my medical needs, and my mom left her job to care for me. They’ve tapped savings and rallied our community, but the remaining costs are beyond their reach. As a quadriplegic, I face unique expenses for accessible travel, housing, and equipment. I find it difficult to ask for help, but my disability has taught me we’re stronger together, and this is my shot at Edge Hill, and I need you.

I’m raising £27,000 ($34,500, using 1 GBP = 1.27 USD) to cover essential costs for my Master’s studies at Edge Hill University. Here’s the estimate breakdown:

Sources: Edge Hill Accommodation, GOV.UK Student Visa, Studyportals. If additional grants are secured or costs drop, surplus funds will support other students with disabilities or enhance my advocacy initiatives in Kenya.

I promise to work relentlessly, sharing regular updates, from visa steps to my first lecture at Edge Hill, and honour your support by making a meaningful difference.

Your donation is more than money; it’s a vote for a world where dreams defy limitations.

If costs drop or extra funds remain, I’ll redirect them to advocacy or another student.

Please join me as we prove that a young man from Nairobi in a wheelchair can shape an inclusive future for Africa.

Thank you for reading my story.

With all my gratitude,

Mark Francis Mungai Kuria,

Mobile | WhatsApp 254 705 228 995,

Mark at Next Step Foundation,

Mark at Personal Inbox.

Follow My Journey, Featured Media & Interviews:

BBC News Africa, KTN, The Star…

YouTube| LinkedIn| Linktree

Proof of scholarship and admission available on request. Full financial accountability provided.

Thank you for believing in a future where no one is left behind. Let’s make Edge Hill happen!

#InclusiveEducation #DisabilityAdvocacy #AIforGood #Neurodiversity #GREATScholarship #EdgeHillUniversity #SupportMark

Other Links