By Sylvia Brade | Chief Happiness Officer, Village Impact
Hope you’re doing great!
Every time I sit down to write one of these updates, I feel a little overhwelmded, the weight of just how much your generosity is driving forward. How do you even put into words the sheer momentum you’re fueling? The doors opening, the lives shifting, the ripple effects spreading further than we can measure?
Because this isn’t just about funding projects—it’s about fueling possibilities. Through Bustani Manor and the Possibility Fund, you’re not just supporting education; you’re creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and laying the foundation for lasting change.
And right now, those ripple effects are turning into something real, something tangible.
Let’s dive into what you’ve made possible.
Bustani Manor: Hospitality with Impact
Thanks to you, Bustani Manor—our social enterprise in Nakuru—is thriving. We’re officially renting out five rooms, with two newly upgraded to create an even better guest experience.
But this is more than a place to stay. Every booking fuels Village Impact’s mission, turning hospitality into sustainable funding that supports education, community programs, and long-term change.
And this March, Bustani will host our first international women’s mastermind retreat.
This isn’t just about business strategy—it’s about transformation. These powerhouse women will:
Visit a Village Impact school and personally contribute by planting trees for shade and fruit.
Immerse in culture & wildlife—because adventure and impact go hand in hand.
Elevate their businesses & purpose—through deep strategy sessions designed to spark growth.
By supporting Bustani, you’ve made it possible for entrepreneurs to step into bigger visions, bigger impact, and bigger change.
And the best part? 100% of the net profits go right back in to Village Impact programs.
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A Thriving Future for Amani Comprehensive School
A few years ago, Amani Comprehensive School was in crisis. The buildings were falling apart, enrollment was plummeting, and parents had lost faith in the school.
That began to change in 2022 when Madam Hellen became principal.
Hellen is pure fire. She rebuilt trust, engaged parents, and championed a new vision for Amani. Now, thanks to your support, that vision is coming to life:
8 brand-new classrooms—safe, sturdy, and built to last
An administration office & teachers’ lounge—giving educators a space to lead and collaborate
Proper washrooms—a game-changer for health and dignity
800+ students enrolled—that’s over 200 more than when we started this project
This isn’t just about education—it’s about community empowerment. Our construction partner, VICDA (led by Irene), has hired 40 local workers, many of them women. These jobs provide stability while developing valuable skills that will last long after the project is complete.
And the students? They’re thriving.
One of the most inspiring moments during our recent visit was meeting Vivian and the Grade 5-6 music and dance group. This determined group made history by competing in the regional school music competition in Njoro—a first for Amani! With no formal training and only a single teacher’s phone, they learned lyrics in a language they didn’t even speak.
Their next goal? Nationals.
Amani’s transformation is happening because of you.
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TechLit Africa: Bridging the Digital Divide
At Ndatho Hope Primary School, we recently launched a pilot with TechLit Africa, a nonprofit founded by Kenyan-American software engineers (and wife/husband duo) Nellie and Tyler. Their mission? To equip students with essential tech skills by setting up computer labs in schools like ours.
Their model includes:
Repurposing donated computers
Loading them with educational & coding software
Training teachers to run digital learning programs
And we got to witness the first-ever class! The dedicated computer teacher, Sharon, is dynamic, and the interactive, gamified curriculum has already sparked excitement and engagement among students. Ndatho’s principal, Dickson, even called it one of the most important initiatives Village Impact has ever brought to the school.
Thanks to the Possibility Fund, we can continue testing and scaling initiatives like this—ensuring students don’t just get an education, but the tools to thrive in a digital world.
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A Powerful Gathering of Leaders
And in February, we brought together all 16 principals from our Village Impact schools for our annual Principals’ Conference.
It was a day filled with collaboration, shared learning, and big ideas. These school leaders had the chance to:
Exchange ideas & best practices
Strengthen collaboration across schools
Share successes and challenges
Ensure alignment on key programs
One of the standout moments? Madam Hellen sharing the success of Amani’s feeding program—a program that is now inspiring other schools to follow suit.
Education isn’t just about classrooms. It’s about leadership, vision, and community. And because of you, these principals are more equipped than ever to guide their students toward a brighter future.
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You Make All This Possible
The Possibility Fund exists to do exactly what its name suggests—to make the impossible, possible.
By supporting Bustani Manor and investing in the Possibility Fund, you’re ensuring that every student in our schools has access to a high-quality education, safe learning environments, and the opportunities they need to build a future beyond poverty.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
Thank you for believing in what’s possible.
Next stop: even more lives transformed.
With gratitude,
Sylvia & The Village Impact Team
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