2015 Winter Letter from Paula

As I write this note, I am just about to leave for my 14th trip to Kenya since 2007 when our program launched.  While in Kenya, I will have many meetings with members of our team to discuss how the organization performed in 2014 and to agree on priorities for 2015.   I will meet with local funders and supporters and try to cultivate a few new relationships.  And on February 14th I will attend Peter Ndungu’s wedding to Phidilia Mwachala – my first African wedding.

 

Most of our employees are case-workers.  Their job is to manage the organization’s relationship with about 60 students by visiting the student’s home and school and by spending one-on-one time with the student.  The information we provide you about the student you sponsor is gathered by our case-workers and entered into a database.Thus, our case-workers need to have the characteristics of both caring  counselors and the English language and computer skills of 21st century office workers. (It is easy to forget that English is a second or third language for all of them.)  Nonetheless, I will be talking with them about how they can improve their effectiveness in communicating to sponsors.We have recently hired our sixth case-worker named Joy Obiya.  Joy is responsible for our growing cohort of post-secondary students and alumni and is profiled in this newsletter.

The tempo of the school year begins in January in Kenya and the first two months of the year are especially busy in the office.  All 380+ students in the program receive new shoes and uniforms.

The 51 students who just finished the 8th grade exam are also featured in this newsletter.  They are going to boarding school for the first time.  It is in this time period that we work to get them placed in the best possible high school.  Since there is a shortage of high school slots there is intense competition for the best schools.  Once a school is selected each student has to have a boarding school trunk that meets the school’s specifications.

Students returning to 10th, 11th and 12th grade must have their uniforms and supplies refreshed.  Every day, the office is full of students missing some important item or needing money for transport to school or wanting to be placed in a different school.

We also have a group of 37 students who just finished high school in December.  They are now engaged in computer skills training in the office every day and are working to develop a plan for their post-secondary education.  As is true everywhere in the world, their dreams must be tempered by the reality of their grades and the financial support we provide.  I will meet with all of them to learn about their plans.

We are deeply appreciative of your continued confidence in the program and your support for the children.

Sincere thanks!