Build Skills with the "lost" Youth in Kenya

Dear friends,

The dynamic coming to life this year of the RAFIKI YOUTH GROUP in Chepkanga location is our main pride & joy. It's two leaders, Ivy and Oliver, have managed to register 30-40 motivated friends. They outlined their mission, their goals in an offfical Charter and registered as a non-profit with the Eldoret municipality. They intent to bring environemental awareness to the chldren of the area. They were given a small road side plot by the area chief to start a nursery. They are being advised in irrigation and marketing techniques by last year's star graduate. Their seedling sales will bring the neeed cash flow for their Club activities.

Our two schools, the vocational training center in Chepkanga and the Technical Training Institute in Koshin have both reached new heights. We close the year after a shortened academic year due to an unusually extended electoral process. This did not stop our school Boards from meeting nor did it prevent the governments, both local and national, to endow the schools with new equipment. 

Chepkanga is a vocational training center with Catering as it's flagship course; Koshin stands out with a state of the art Electrical and Electronic course. Both schools have active headmasters, fully motivated to have their school reach the best levels for their students. They have chat groups with peer centers to share ideas and best practices.

We are very encouraged by what we have seen during our trips this year. We are also setting our sights on February 2018 with the official opening of Koshin TTI and the inauguration the newest BENINA builiding. 

Thanks a million to all of you who encourage the rural youth to seek a more productive life. Best wishes for the New Year.

Claire

Dear Rafiki, dear friends,

Our first vocational school, the SERGOEK campus, has been rising to new heights:

- The school was selected to become an examination center for the district thus increasing it's visibility and role in the area - New equipment was provided by the local governement bringing stores, closets & computer desks to the classrooms         - The catering students proudly displayed their culinary know how to the delight of the community on graduation day

The school will be expanding soon and we are presently raising funds for the women's dorm and bathrooms.

Our second vocational school, the KOSHIN campus, has become very active:

- The principal started registering the first students for the recently opened electrical department                                                             - The school held an official ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new computer center                                                             - The latest bulding under construction with a Multipurpose Hall is raising it's roof on large trusses at the present time.

We expect that this higher level institution will be taking off very fast as the novelty has a large appeal.

We are moving. We are active! Students have school uniforms and Tshirts, they are playing sports and graduating with new skills. Our brand new equiment and the improvements look amazing.

There is still a lot to be done. Thank you for so much for your support that means so much to us all, in France and in rural Kenya! We wouldn't be where we are today without you. Kweli! (really!)

Claire