University expenses for former street children

Jacob and Abel are progressing well.  Both youths have beaten all odds to get where they are and they are determined to stay the course.  They have dealt with family trauma, life on the streets, poverty and uncertainty and, despite it all excelled in school and obtained university placements.  Life at university has been no picnic either.  They face the uncertainty of funding from year to year to enable them to complete their studies, in addition to the challenges of coping with the requirements of their chosen courses, strikes by university lecturers, and being a long way from home. 

We purchased a laptop computer for Jacob.  He is studying computer forensics and has managed for longer than he should have needed to (over a year), to pursue his course through borrowing friends' computers, staying longer in the library or visiting cyber cafes but now, at last, he is the proud owner of his own computer and we hope this will enable him to have one less worry.   It is quite amazing that some 10 year olds in the first world have their own computers, tablets, mobile phones etc while university students in the third world, who are actually studying computer courses, often do not even have their own computer and even an old or second-hand model would be a blessing!  Jacob has also now completed his first year and the unversity requires second year students to move off campus into private accommodation.  This increases costs for Jacob.

Abel is about to enter his final year and can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  He has faced considerable pressure from family expecting him to earn money to help contribute financially.  This is possibly the most difficult hurdle for youths from poor communities.  Even if they are fortunate enough to be assisted with the high costs of third level education, during the time of their course, they are not earning any money to contribute to the family coffers and many drop out to find casual work.  This is one of the main reasons that we do not support many youths through long courses unless we are sure they can withstand the pressures to drop out and earn an income. 

Dear Supporters,

We hope that this report finds you well. We are about half way through teh academic year in Kenya and would like to provide an update on the university project. 

Abel and Jacob, the two young men who are currently supported through this project, are continuing to work hard at university. Jacob in particular managed to complete the first year of a computer forensics course using the limited shared facilities at his university, but now that he is in his second year it is getting more and more difficult to complete the assignments and seminars without his own laptop. We are therefore appealing to our supporters to help us to buy one that he can use for the course. Laptops are generally seen as a requirement for university in general, but especially so given the nature of Jacob's course. Abel in now in his third year and adapting to the increasing course work requirements of studying when you you are getting closer to the finish line. We are very proud of both young men.

Meeting the costs of university attendance is an increasing burden for young people wanting qualifications to compete for positions in today's labour markets. After the first year, they must move out of campus accomodation and find more expensive private lodgings. This means that Abel and Jacob must pay more rent and potentially extra transport costs. In addition, recent lecturer striked means that the semester has been extended to make up the work missed and their leave time, which they usually spend at home with family, has been shortened - the time they usually spend working at home, to earn money for their expenses is also less.

We are however looking forward to seeing them when they come home for the short respite from classes in August and will update you on their progress after their visit.

Thank you again for all your support of CRK's work!

Best Wishes,