09/17/2026
Meet Ian. π€
Ian is a Grade 7 student at Muramati Primary & Junior School, a rural government school in Laikipia, Kenya. He first joined the robotics club three years ago because he was curious and wanted to learn.
Now he's getting ready to travel to India for the World Robot Olympiad Asia & Pacific Open Championship.
He never imagined where robotics would take him, or how much he would learn along the way.
βSometimes the robot doesn't work, but I try again until we make it. This has taught me to be patient and never give up.β
When Ian found out he was going to India, his first call was to his mom.
βMy mother was the first person I called through my coach's phone. She screamed and she was much excited.β
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Now he's looking forward to representing his country in India, meeting students from around the world, learning from them, and bringing those ideas back to Kenya.
Ian hopes to become a cardiologist one day. If he could build any robot, he'd build one that could help in hospitals and make people's lives easier.
His advice to anyone who wants to try robotics but is scared to start?
βThey should start with what they know and keep learning. Making mistakes is part of learning.β
Not a bad perspective for a Grade 7 roboticist.
We can't wait to see where that curiosity takes him next. π