REMEMBER! We offer great sponsorship opportunities for your business and yourself – don’t miss out!!

Register today – you can print the form below and email it to valeria@kenyaeducationfund.org or fax it to (212) 792-6350 (no cover sheet needed).

Sign up today by registering HERE!

Valeria, KEF’s Development Manager, has just returned from nearly two weeks in Nairobi, where she attended one of our Mentoring Workshops.  Below, she shares her impressions and take-aways from her Kenyan journey:

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The 84 scholars shuffled in slowly on Thursday afternoon from some locations as far as Loitokitok, some 250 Kms from Kenya’s capital of Nairobi.  For many of them, this was the first time leaving school to attend this form of gathering….and it showed as they made their way to our registration table, weary-eyed and checking around for familiar faces.

Their arrival marked the beginning of our second Mentoring Workshop slated for 2013 – and the first one I attended, having arrived in Nairobi a few days prior.  The 3 day workshops are a vital component to KEF’s mission and are designed to instill valuable life lessons, “know-how” and tools needed to make the most of not only a secondary education, but life after graduation.  Topics include HIV/AIDS prevention & living a healthy lifestyle, decision-making, leadership guidance, developing interpersonal skills and a variety of mentoring and confidence-building exercises.

One of the themes that kept resurfacing during the workshop was the notion of building relationships and meaningful connections in our lives.  This does not refer exclusively to romantic relationships (something that made the students giggle) but rather the making and building of deep relationships with those who support us and help us navigate life.  In turn, it is our duty to look around and reach out to those less fortunate to share some of the lessons we have learned along the way.  Students are taught to care about one another, to look out for each other’s well-being and to nurture those who have not had the same opportunity via the KEF.  They value the chance to give back, understanding this will also help them move forward.

Christabel – one of KEF’s most esteemed mentors and an incredible source of positive energy for everyone in attendance – stressed the idea of “reaping what you sow”: a strong foundation in school, family and life from the start will result in the ability to succeed in the future, whether in high school, university or work.  Similarly, it occurred to me that across the pond in NY, we strive to “reap what we sow”.  We begin with a conversation about the KEF’s mission and our goals and much in the same way you would water the seeds and wait for the plant to grow, we cultivate the relationships that will translate into the support that enables the organization to move forward.  In turn, this goes hand-in-hand with the “self-cultivation” that each of our scholars are asked to carry-out: first as scholars, then as Kenyans and lastly, as citizens of the world.

I witnessed how our scholars wrap their heads around the fact that strangers thousands of miles away just might be interested and caring enough to support their education and well-being.  Jean, a KEF sponsor from Kenya who presented a session, said it best: “we are more interconnected that we know, regardless of our background, color or creed.”  As each student does his or her part in representing Kenya’s future, their success is ultimately ours as well.

When I was leaving the workshop and saying my goodbyes, I kept hearing the phrase “we are so grateful“: grateful for the sponsors back in the US, grateful to the KEF staff in Nairobi, grateful for the mentors and invaluable life lessons they imparted on the group.  Truth is, I am the one to feel grateful for having shared a brief moment with some of the KEF scholars that continue to inspire us.  If we can have such a profound impact with the little we do, can you imagine what else can be accomplished?

We are thrilled to announce 5 spots have been confirmed for the KEF in the ING 2013 NYC marathon!!  That’s right: you get to support education in Kenya while running alongside some amazing athletes in beautiful NYC!

What we ask:

• As a small non-profit, we kindly ask that you pay for your race-entry fees ($216 for RR members/$255 for non-RR members and $347 for international); we will cover your spot (at a cost of $450)
• The KEF asks that you pledge to raise a minimum of $4,000 to qualify as a KEF TEAM 2013 member

You get:

•  Guaranteed race entry in a much sough-after race (not to mention sold-out event)
•  Official KEF running gear
•  Knowing the funds you raise go to providing education and mentoring to our students in Kenya!
•  ..and much more!!

To register as a RUNNER, contact Valeria at (212) 792-6300, 6427 or valeria@kenyaeducationfund.org

REGISTER TODAY!!

Interested in DONATING To TEAM KEF??  Click below:

If you are interested in participating, please contact Valeria Bonanome at (212) 792-6300, x6427 or valeria@kenyaeducationfund.org for additional details.

Don’t miss out on AMAZING sponsorship opportunities – let us add your business to our list of Corporate supporters!

Registration form will be posted soon!

]]> http://kenyaeducationfund.org/events/save-the-date-join-the-kef-for-our-third-annual-tee-off-for-education-golf-tournament/feed/ 0 http://kenyaeducationfund.org/events/join-the-kef-for-our-2013-power-travel-expos/ http://kenyaeducationfund.org/events/join-the-kef-for-our-2013-power-travel-expos/#comments Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:29:24 +0000 kef-admin http://kenyaeducationfund.org/?p=2672        
The KEF is once again bringing you face-to-face with the travel industry’s leaders in luxury and adventure.  Meet representatives from Virtuoso hotels and luxurious destinations, bid on the incredible items featured in our silent auction and have a shot at winning amazing raffle prizes (how does an iPad mini sound?).Remember - 100% of the proceeds will benefit the KEF!

Washington Golf & Country Club

3017 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207, 6-9pm

VIEW EVENT FLIER

                              AND

Muttontown Club
5933 Northern Boulevard, East Norwich, NY 11732, 6-9pm

VIEW EVENT FLIER

To RSVP, email us at RSVP@KenyaEducationFund.org or call (212) 792-6300 x6427 

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Join us on Tuesday, April 9th in Arlington, VA 

and on 

Tuesday, April 16th in Long Island, NY

Don’t miss out on our exciting and fun Power Travel Expos scheduled for April – join us in support of KEF’s mission and meet representatives from luxurious travel destinations and companies from around the world – bid on incredible vacations and travel deals and have a chance at incredible raffle prizes (including an iPad mini!).                 

PLUS: Guests will also receive a $25 coupon from First Hand Tickets – to use when purchasing tickets to Broadway shows, concerts and other events!

FREE ADMISSION and all proceeds will benefit the KEF

rsvp@kenyaeducationfund.org

Here are just SOME of the properties and agencies you will meet:

]]> http://kenyaeducationfund.org/events/save-the-date-april-power-travel-expos-for-kef/feed/ 0 http://kenyaeducationfund.org/blog/american-chamber-opera-to-donate-proceeds-from-madame-butterfly-to-kenya-education-fund/ http://kenyaeducationfund.org/blog/american-chamber-opera-to-donate-proceeds-from-madame-butterfly-to-kenya-education-fund/#comments Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:43:40 +0000 kef-admin http://kenyaeducationfund.org/?p=2329 Through our partners at Aid for Africa,  the American Chamber Opera (ACO) of Chicago will donate 15% of the proceeds from their upcoming performances of Madame Butterfly to education in Kenya – the KEF was chosen as one of two organizations to benefit!  We are thrilled and grateful for this generous consideration.

In a bit of a twist, this version is set in Mombasa, Kenya and will be performed in English.

Performances:

January 18th and 19th - International House at the University of Chicago

February 8th, 9th and 10th - The Chicago Temple

For those of you in the Chicago area, please share this with friends, family and colleagues and help us spread the word – please visit ACO’s website to purchase tickets:

http://americanchamberopera.org/butterfly/

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And for those of you not familiar with the story of Madame Butterfly….

Pinkerton, an American naval officer, has taken lease of a house in Mombasa, Kenya. He is going to live here with his future Kenyan wife, Butterfly. Sharpless, the American consul, warns Pinkerton of getting married. Pinkerton tells him that he is happy with his bride, but adds that one day he will marry a real “American bride.” Butterfly enters and the family gathers for the wedding. The wedding ceremony is disrupted by angry family members, including Butterfly’s uncle, a priest who renounce her and condemn her to poverty. As the family leaves after the wedding, the couple celebrates their love and their first night alone together.

Here you will find our latest email blasts and program-related news!  Share it with others and leave us your comments/questions!

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We are proud to announce that KEF graduate, Viona Shina Leboo, has just received a scholarship to Harvard University! 

Ms. Leboo attended Moi Girls’ High School in Eldoret and was originally awarded a scholarship there by the Nomadic Kenyan Children’s Educational Fund (NKCEF), with whom the KEF merged in 2011. Her Harvard scholarship is an incredible opportunity for Viona – one that she would not have obtained without the gift of a secondary education.

Congratulations to Viona for her incredible achievements: you are an inspiration to your fellow students in Kenya and an invaluable reminder that we can turn our dreams into reality with hard work, hope and determination.

WE WISH YOU THE VERY BEST AT HARVARD!!