Our Organization
Empowering Girls Through Education, Mentorship, and Opportunity
Katia’s Kloset Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young girls in Côte d’Ivoire through education, mentorship, financial assistance, and personal development. We create opportunities that help girls overcome barriers, develop their potential, and build stronger
OUR STORY
From One Girl’s Journey to a Foundation for Others
Katia’s Kloset Foundation grew from a personal experience. Founder Katia Gounou left Côte d’Ivoire as a young girl to continue her education in the United States. Her own journey showed her how access to education, guidance, and opportunity can influence the direction of a young person’s life.
That experience became the starting point for a broader vision: creating opportunities for girls in Côte d’Ivoire who are motivated to learn and grow but may face financial or educational barriers.
What began with a desire to support girls’ education developed into a nonprofit organization focused on education, mentorship, personal development, and community support.
KATIA’S JOURNEY
AGE 16
Leaving Côte d’Ivoire to Pursue an Education
After earning her scientific baccalaureate at the age of 16, Katia Gounou left Côte d’Ivoire for the United States to continue her education.
Her journey began with a simple vision: to pursue opportunities that could help her build a meaningful future.
After earning her scientific baccalaureate at the age of 16, Katia Gounou left Côte d’Ivoire for the United States to continue her education.
Her journey began with a simple vision: to pursue opportunities that could help her build a meaningful future.
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP
Growing Through Education and Experience
In the United States, Katia pursued a technical field while gaining experience as a mathematics tutor and teaching assistant.
She also became president of the Mathematics Honor Club and earned certificates in Global Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Discovery.
In the United States, Katia pursued a technical field while gaining experience as a mathematics tutor and teaching assistant.
She also became president of the Mathematics Honor Club and earned certificates in Global Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Discovery.
PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
From Education to Engineering
Katia was awarded the prestigious Terry Scholarship and went on to build a career in engineering.
She became a lithographic equipment engineer and spent two years working in Taiwan at one of the world’s largest semiconductor foundries, gaining international professional experience.
Katia was awarded the prestigious Terry Scholarship and went on to build a career in engineering.
She became a lithographic equipment engineer and spent two years working in Taiwan at one of the world’s largest semiconductor foundries, gaining international professional experience.
THE FOUNDATION
Turning Personal Experience Into Purpose
Katia’s own journey showed her how education, opportunity, and support can change the direction of a young person’s life.
That experience inspired her to create Katia’s Kloset Foundation and help make similar opportunities more accessible to girls in Côte d’Ivoire.
Katia’s own journey showed her how education, opportunity, and support can change the direction of a young person’s life.
That experience inspired her to create Katia’s Kloset Foundation and help make similar opportunities more accessible to girls in Côte d’Ivoire.
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Creating Opportunities That Can Reach Further
The Foundation began with a focus on girls’ education in Côte d’Ivoire, but the vision is broader. By creating meaningful support for girls today, we hope to contribute to stronger communities and greater opportunities for young women in the future.
Education
Helping girls access the support and opportunities they need to continue learning.
Mentorship
Connecting girls with guidance, encouragement, and positive professional examples.
Opportunity
Helping young girls build confidence, discover their strengths, and imagine a wider range of possibilities.
WHO WE SUPPORT
Supporting Girls With Potential and Purpose
Katia’s Kloset Foundation focuses on young girls who are committed to their education and may face financial or other challenges that affect their educational journey.
The Foundation’s original concept focused on supporting girls entering secondary school, particularly those who show academic potential and motivation but may need additional financial, educational, or personal support.
Our approach recognizes that every girl’s circumstances are different. Support is designed to help beneficiaries continue their education, develop confidence, receive guidance, and make informed decisions about their future.
Who We Aim to Support
01. Girls Committed to Education
We support girls who are motivated to continue their education and take their academic journey seriously.
02. Girls Entering Secondary School
The Foundation’s original focus was on girls beginning secondary school, an important stage in their educational development.
03. Girls With Academic Potential
We seek to support girls who demonstrate potential and a desire to continue learning and developing their abilities.
04. Girls Facing Financial or Educational Barriers
Additional support can be especially meaningful for girls whose financial circumstances or access to educational resources may make their journey more difficult.
OUR APPROACH
Support That Looks Beyond the Classroom
Education First
We keep educational opportunity at the center of our work.
Personal Guidance
We value consistent encouragement and guidance throughout a girl’s journey.
Community
We believe families, mentors, schools, and supporters all have a role to play.
Long-Term Development
We want girls to build confidence and skills that remain valuable beyond one school year or program.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION
Meet the People Behind Katia’s Kloset Foundation
The Foundation is supported by people who bring different experiences, skills, and perspectives to the work of creating opportunities for girls.
From mentors and professionals to people who contribute their time and expertise, our community helps turn the Foundation’s vision into action.
Help Carry the Vision Forward
What began with one young woman’s journey from Côte d’Ivoire to the United States became a vision for creating greater opportunities for girls who are still beginning their own educational journeys.
Today, Katia’s Kloset Foundation is building on that vision through education, mentorship, and community support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have More Questions?
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About Katia’s Kloset Foundation | Girls’ Education in Côte d’Ivoire
Katia’s Kloset Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting girls’ education in Côte d’Ivoire through educational assistance, mentorship, personal development, and community support. The Foundation was created from founder Katia Gounou’s personal educational journey from Côte d’Ivoire to the United States and her vision to make opportunities more accessible to girls facing financial or educational challenges.
The Foundation focuses on helping young girls continue their education, develop confidence, discover their potential, and prepare for their future. Its approach recognizes that educational opportunity is strengthened when girls also have access to guidance, mentorship, encouragement, and supportive communities.
Beginning in Côte d’Ivoire, Katia’s Kloset Foundation brings together girls, mentors, families, schools, and supporters around a shared commitment to education and opportunity. The Foundation’s broader vision is to help more girls access the support they need to learn, grow, and pursue their ambitions.
Learn more about Katia’s Kloset Foundation, its story, team, mission and values, and the ways supporters can contribute to girls’ education and development.