Send 5 Youth to College - Kibera, Kenya

A microproject by St. Vincent de Paul Community Development Organization

Project Report | Apr 22, 2019
Levix Sails Around the World on Semester at Sea

By Levix | St. Vincent Scholarship Recipient

For the past eight years, with your support, we have provided educational assistance to our student Levix, first to enable him to attend secondary (high) school and then to join Tangaza University's teacher training college where he is close to graduation.

This year, following in the footsteps of another St. Vincent student, Levix had the esteemed privilege to take a break from his studies at Tangaza and study abroad with the Institute of Shipboard Education's Semester at Sea program. As the first ever Tutu Ubuntu Scholar (named for Archbishop Desmond Tutu), Levix received full external support to participate in the program, sailing around the world on the MV Odyssey to 10 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe while studying.

While the transition was not necessarily an easy one, Levix clearly had as much impact on the program (which just wrapped up in Amsterdam yesterday!) as it had on him. He had this to say about his experience:

I was born in the Kibera slum of Nairobi and grew up with a single parent from a very, very humble background. We couldn’t pay for primary or high school, and I had to find scholarships and missionaries to support my education. There were times when we were homeless or nearly homeless, and I had to work very hard for everything that I have done in my life.

I found out about Semester at Sea and was quite curious about it, but the real question was how I could pay for it. I discovered the Desmond Tutu Ubuntu scholarship and thought maybe it was possible. I didn’t know about the Ubuntu philosophy because it is from the South African tradition, so I read up on it and I realized that we have a similar word in Swahili.

That’s when I realized that my whole life is full of Ubuntu. From my kindergarten and free education, it is Ubuntu. From my experience of high school payments from a foundation, it is Ubuntu. From the kindness of counselor officers helping with my visas, it is Ubuntu. Nothing but Ubuntu. I am here today from hard work and perseverance, but also from the kindness of others. From Ubuntu.

This voyage was the first time I ever stepped outside the border of Kenya so you can imagine how eye-opening this experience has been for me. I have never been in an elevator. I have never used a Western shower. I have never been to an airport. I have never seen the ocean. This voyage is the first time in my life that I have been sure of having 3 meals a day. I have learned so much from my Semester at Sea family. Everything has been amazing. I am very grateful for all of the people who’ve contributed to my journey. I am so thankful for the spirit of Ubuntu

We are proud of Levix's acheivements and eager to see what is next for him (after he graduates from his teacher training program early next year). We are sure he will have an impact on many more lives in his future.

Thank you for your continued support of our scholarship program. These funds enable us to open up many doors (even the most surprising ones) to Kenya's youth.

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Jun 15, 2015
When I Grow Up

By Maureen | Program Beneficiary

Maureen - 2nd year student at USIU

Few children in Kenya have the luxury of thinking about attending college when they grow up. College education is out of reach for the overwhelming majority of Kenyans, particularly those residing in the impoverished Kibera slum.

With the help of St, Vincent's and its generous donors, five bright students from Kibera are defying these odds and getting the chance to attend college. They have all worked extremely hard to be admitted into schools and are working to pursue various career goals. The following message was written by one of these students, Maureen, who is in her second year at the U.S. International University in Nairobi.

I am Maureen, 20 years of age and a beneficiary of Global Giving through St. Vincent De Paul Community Development Organization. Seven years ago, after completing my primary school education, I joined high school, with an eagerness to learn what was in store for me. Members of St. Vincent walked with me through my journey and after I completed high school, I was very sure about what I wanted to do and so I was given the opportunity to attend one of the best universities in the country.

This was way better than I had even envisioned. In September 2013, I joined the United states International University in Nairobi, Kenya, to pursue my bachelors degree in International Relations. I am now in my second year with only one year left to complete my studies. So far, I enjoy learning and discovering new and interesting topics in the international scenery. This, I would not have achieved without help from the organization members.

My short term goal, approximately five years from now, I would like to work in a non governmental organization or any of the embassies in Kenya, particularly Spanish speaking countries. Later in life, I would like to join the diplomatic missions of Kenya to other countries and set up a project of my own to help the people in my community achieve their dreams too.

Finally, I would like to send my sincere gratitude to the whole fraternity of Global Giving for directly making an impact to my life and many others worldwide. And to the [St. Vincent] members for walking with me up to this moment in time.

Links:

St. Vincent's Website

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