Serena Williams Opens School in Kenya

Even after retiring from her round robin match with a stomach injury, Serena Williams still had a lot to look forward to, as she opened a school for children in Kenya on November 14, 2008. Located in Matooni, eastern Kenya, the official name of the school is Serena Williams Secondary School.

The school was opened in an area that has one of the highest dropout rates, and has mixed genders. The school will also be solar powered, and will have a technology partnership with Hewlett Packard, which will provide the school with computers, printers, and will facilitate teachers and students.

"I feel so honored to be here. Thanks so much for receiving me for my first time in Kenya," said Williams at the opening. "Education is the only way out of poverty – that’s what my parents taught us – so obviously building this school is really near and dear to me," she added.

"We are indeed honored to have Ms. Williams visit Kenya at this momentous time in American history when we have a new President-elect who has roots in Kenya,” said Dickson Mutaiti, the Director of Projects at Build African Schools in Kenya. "During her visit, Ms. Williams will give a chance to needy primary school students who want to pursue secondary school education."