Educating at-risk youth in Kenya

As COVID-19 has disrupted life around the world, it has also led to school closures across Kenya. In an effort to deter the spread of the virus, Kenya closed all schools in March. As a result, we shut down our campus, and all of our students are now staying with relatives and guardians. Current guidance suggests schools could reopen in June (the Kenyan school year runs from January-November). However, this guidance is tentative and we, like so many others, are taking things day by day. For now, we are all doing our part to social distance, as we do not want to imagine the effects of an outbreak here.

While our students are home with relatives, we are still keeping in touch. Recently, several of our older students asked if there were ways they could help during the school closure. A small group then gathered to help work the shamba, or farmland, where we cultivate maize and other crops for the students. They wore masks and kept distance between themsleves but enjoyed the opportunity to see one another and feel productive (see photo above). And of course, we must continue with the planting season to ensure we are producing food for when school reopens.

During this time of uncertainty and great challenge, we are reminded how interconnected our global community is, and we are so grateful to you for being part of our Margaret Okari Children's Foundation family. Please know that many of our children, even some as young as seven, have asked me how our American friends are doing. We are all in this together and wish you and your loved ones good health, strength and peace. 

With gratitude, 
Kwamboka Okari, Founder and Executive Director