Stellar Mengele is the Birth to Three Global Ambassador for GIFT CONNECT in Kenya and an enthusiast of early childhood matters. Stellar holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Maseno University and is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Kenyatta University.
As a celebrity, artist and mother, Stellar is passionate about using her influence and musical talents to empower mothers and caregivers on their parenting journey.
To do this, she shares the revolutionary brain science behind early childhood development and the importance of the Six Loving Habits (speak, sing, read, play, count, serve and return) reaching mothers and caregivers in a way that transcends cultural, literacy and economic barriers: through music.
She is the most inspirational, powerful yet humble trendsetter of her community. Stella’s demeanor leaves a permanent mark in your life when you meet. She’s warm, intelligent, authentic, wise, influential, and motherly.
She was born in Kitui County over three decades ago in a Christian family and raised single handedly by her mother Bishop Alice Mengele. Her mother’s strict parenting and spiritual discipline had great influence in Stella’s life.
Stellar, together with her sisters Huldah Musenya and the late Maureen Mwende were raised in poor conditions in various rental houses where some, cost Ksh. 300 for monthly rent. Her mother would most times struggle to raise the rent, feed and pay school fees for her three children but her resilience and hard work saw her educate all three through to university level.
The drive to succeed, support others to realize their full potential and get out of poverty were born out of personal encounters with difficult childhood.
Birth to Three & Early Childhood Development
The first three years of life are the most crucial in determining a human’s health, mental and social stability, academic performance, and professional success.
By age three, 70% of brain capacity is fully developed. During this period, more than one million neural connections are formed each second. Activities such as playing, singing, talking, reading, and counting help stimulate brain synapses and promote brain growth.
Babies are born with unlimited potential, and their early experiences shape their future. Through music, seminars, and community gatherings, Stellar amplifies the importance of early childhood development during the birth-to-three period.