Visiting our Students
Recently we spent three weeks in Oyugis and had the chance to meet with many of our sponsored students.
Recently we spent three weeks in Oyugis and had the chance to meet with many of our sponsored students. Unfortunately, soon after arriving we came down with a severe upper respiratory illness that kept us from venturing out too much into the community. Although we did make a trip out to visit our students at Omboga Secondary.
During the weeks we spent getting over our illness, several of our sponsored students stopped by the house to greet us. Some of them I had not had the pleasure of meeting in person before and was thrilled they came by to say hello.
One afternoon, a young man who was in his final year of Secondary School arrived. This was the 4th year Olalo sponsored his education. Over the years we had exchanged a few letters, but like many of the others, this was our first in-person meeting.
There was a time in the past when things got a little rocky for him and we weren’t sure we would continue sponsoring him. Wanting all our kids to succeed we stepped in and got things on track.
On this day, he sat down beside me on this small loveseat and we talked for an hour. For the first 40 minutes he continually expressed his gratitude and thankfulness to Olalo for giving him this life-changing opportunity to get an education and impact his life. He talked about his past struggles in school and how he now had a plan for his life that he is working hard to achieve.
He wants to succeed for himself, his family and his community. He wants to succeed so he can help others succeed as well and break this cycle of poverty.
I have to admit there are times when trying to keep our education program going is frustrating when trying to meet tuition payments on time and as the list grows with more kids needing financial help to attend school.
But this one hour spent with this sincere young man who finally sees a future for himself was both humbling and tearful for me and reminded me what it’s really all about. The frustrations fade away as the focus moves more to what we are achieving by giving kids an opportunity to change the cycle of poverty into a new cycle of hope and direction through education.
Thank you to every one of you who have invested into the lives of these young people. Know that you are appreciated so much not only by Olalo, but by the children you are sponsoring.
Nyasaye Ogwedhi!
Merry Broughal
Olalo of Hope-Kenya
Education Opportunities are Expanding!
Children and students are learning basic computing skills. Others are learning marketable employment skills by learning the Microsoft Office Suite. Others are learning other skills to improve their lives and how they do business.
When we learned that most of our 4th year students had absolutely zero experience with computers, we knew something had to be done…Expand our Education program!
We purchased some computers, rented a small space in town, and began offering classes to not only the students, but we opened it up to the community at large.
We discovered a woman we knew in the town had a lot of experience with computers and asked if she would be interested in teaching classes. Her name is Bianca and she is AMAZING!
Bianca immediately began to dig into our server which held thousands of files and lessons on every subject you can imagine. She saw possibilities beyond just teaching the basics and started to develop classes for more segmented groups, such as the local midwives to learn about the latest medical advances, and farmers with agricultural advances.
Immediately a waiting list popped up for classes. (at this time we only have 4 computers so the classes are small).
Children and students are learning basic computing skills. Others are learning marketable employment skills by learning the Microsoft Office Suite. Others are learning other skills to improve their lives and how they do business.
The successes we are seeing are not only because of the amazing people we have, but also because of a company called World Possible and their development of a 2-pound server that contains all of these education files and programs – RACHEL – Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning.
RACHEL is a self-contained unit that has downloaded all the current information from their sources on the internet so there is no internet access to the students. Olalo can plug RACHEL into the internet and download all the latest, most up-to-date information so we are always offering the latest information to our students. It is amazing and opening many doors to the people of Oyugis.
Check out RACHEL on World Possible and you will see the great opportunities it offers to people not only in Kenya, but around the world. www.worldpossible.org
We are heading off to Kenya this week and are anxious to meet with some of our students to see how access to our community computer lab is making a difference in their lives.
Thank you for making this all possible! Education is truly the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and YOU are helping Olalo of Hope-Kenya make it happen!
Nyasaye Ogwedhi!
Merry
Olalo of Hope-Kenya
Graduation!
As we step into the new year, 13 of our Secondary School students won’t be returning to school in 2017.
Why? They Graduated in December!
Following four years of long hours, hard work and much studying they have achieved the next step to leaving behind a life of poverty.
They should be proud of their accomplishment, and YOU -Awesome Donor- should be proud of yourself for being the person who helped make that possible. Your support of our students gave them the opportunity to change their lives and the lives of their family and the community. Thank You!
As our remaining sponsored students begin returning to school to start the new year, there are still many kids waiting to see if they will get the opportunity to continue with their education past the 8th grade.
Richard was attending school until his father died. A relative picked up the school payments until he landed in the hospital and could no longer pay. Richard has taken to washing cars so he can eat.
Nancy was in her last year of Secondary School when her father died. She had to withdraw with only one year left to go since there was no one to pay the school fees.
Calvince fishes in Lake Victoria whenever he has a break from school to raise the funds to put himself through school. Last year he didn’t catch enough to sell, so he didn’t return to school. There are kids we know who leave school because they don’t have money to attend. That doesn’t stop them! They show up each day and listen outside the classroom to learn what they can…without getting any credit.
Most students attend school 6 days a week, beginning at 7am and ending at 6 pm. Many walk 40 minutes to and 40 minutes home from school. At the end of the day, they get home and still have chores, dinner and homework.
These are just a few of the stories of the kids that have asked Olalo of Hope-Kenya for help with their school fees. They are motivated and want to learn, to succeed!
Education is Key to breaking the cycle of poverty. The kids Olalo helps with your donations are working their way out of that cycle.
We hope you will share with your friends, your family and your coworkers that YOU have changed loves. You have helped pave the way to a new life of hope for the orphans and poor of Oyugis, Kenya. What an accomplishment!
Thank You!
Merry Broughal
Olalo of Hope-Kenya
A Dream ALMOST Derailed
Frederick
Another dream is back on track thanks to YOU!
Frederick had dreams of becoming a nurse to help others in his country when the death of his father derailed that dream. He was allowed to continue school for a period of time, but with fees and unpaid tuition accumulating, he was forced out of school…his education was over.
When we learned about Frederick and his situation, Olalo was able to pay his back fees and cover his fourth and final year of Secondary School. His dream is back on track and he will graduate this December!
The statistics show less than 50% of students finishing Primary School (8th grade) go on to Secondary School because they do not have the funds to continue their education. Many of those who begin Secondary School are then forced to end their education because whoever was originally paying their tuition and fees can no longer pay either due to illness, loss of life or other life circumstances.
The World Health Organization recommends to cover essential health services that the number of nurses for every 10,000 in population should be a minimum of 23. According to the Nursing Council of Kenya, there are only 5 nurses for every 10,000 in population.
With those stats, we are thankful to YOU our supporters that Frederick will be able to continue on with his education and his goal of becoming a nurse.
Thank you for Caring!
Your support not only gives Frederick the opportunity to fulfill his dream, but in the future adds another much needed nurse to care for the people.
Thank you!
Merry Broughal
Project Leader