Fund 46 orphaned Kenyan children to stay in school

Thank you so much for your support of this project and here is an update on plans for the coming months from our Administration Manager, Damaris Cheokemboi Ngelelei, in Kenya.

In December, we’ll be meeting with the families impacted by last year’s accident to get a clear understanding of what each student needs as they prepare for the new academic year starting in January 2025. These meetings will give us a chance to talk about the students’ progress, understand the challenges they’ve been facing, and gather updated information to make sure the bursary funds are directed where they’ll make the most impact.

One of the main goals of these meetings is to check in on each child’s current academic situation—how they’re managing in school, any specific struggles, and what essentials they might be missing, like uniforms, books, or other supplies. This will help us focus on immediate needs and give each child the resources they need to succeed.

We’ll also be discussing how families have been managing their children’s education expenses this past year without financial support. We know many families have had to make big sacrifices, and some may have even needed loans or community assistance to keep up with costs. Understanding how they’ve managed so far will help us figure out how best to support them moving forward.

An important part of these conversations will be confirming that all the children are still in school, attending regularly, and have what they need to keep going next term. We’ll check for any issues that may have interrupted their attendance and make sure the bursary support can address these issues so the kids don’t fall behind or risk dropping out.

Since the new school year begins in January 2025, we’re also gathering the most recent fee structures and any additional costs families are expecting, like for extracurricular activities or transportation. This will help us build an accurate budget to cover essential school expenses and ensure all students have what they need for the upcoming year.

Finally, we want to understand the specific challenges that families face when it comes to schooling costs. Common issues include school fees, the cost of replacing uniforms and supplies, and the need for sanitary products for girls, which can affect their attendance. For families in remote areas, transport costs are also a concern. Knowing the full picture will allow us to prioritize where the bursary funds can make the biggest difference.

Your support is ensuring that the children impacted by the accident last year will have same access to education and a secure future as the children in these photographs taken over recent months at local schools. 

Asante Sana.