Martin in an AIDS orphan who is also HIV+. He doesn't have anyone to help him cover costs for his uniform, shoes, school fees, occasional transportation, or books, but he sure wants to keep going in his Form 8 class. We want to keep Martin in school, too! We (and he) know that this is an incredible chance for him to move forward and hopefully, out of the slums of Mombasa. With a little help, Martin can keep going and going and going.
Schooling fees are hard for children to pay on their own. While schooling is supposedly free in Kenya, it truly is not. School fees ($257 in Martin's case), public transportation when it rains too hard to walk to school, uniforms for a growing boy, shoes, lunch, and school book costs all add up quickly. The most affected by all these costs are orphans who have no one to take care of them. Martin is one such orphan.
Martin has done well in school and desperately would like to continue with his education. He is now in Form 8 and we'd like to help him stay in school. We will make sure is school fees are paid for the year and that he has all he needs to go daily, with the correct uniform and supplies. When food is lacking, we will make sure he has lunch available so he can concentrate on his studies and not on hunger.
Martin will be able to attend high school for one year, moving him closer to graduating one day. While he is only one, he is important. His education will help his siblings as he is able to work in the future, providing for them and his own needs. Without education, it is impossible to get good work in a country where unemployement is high due to lack of education. Martin dreams of being a pilot...maybe he can achieve that dream. We sure want to help him on that road.
