STUDENT TESTIMONIALS:

I Need Not Your Pity

Written by KEF Student Josphat Mbayan after the Meru Workshop

I need not your pity
Just your understanding
I have no use for your sympathy
Just put yourself in my shoes
Bye Bye Drug Abuse

Don’t you like to see me try
In spite of my deficiencies, striving
Fighting against fate’s crooked hands
That struck me off from the league of so-called normality
Bye Bye Peer Pressure

Does it bother you too much
When I don’t beg from you
Avidly shaking my plastic cup begging at you
“saida maskini”, my tongue keeping at you
Are you vexed by my being better?
As you fear accepting that you and I stand on the same platform
That in spite of my infirmities
I ask not for your pennies, your shilling coins
And beg not for affirmative action
Bye Bye Poverty

Is it jealousy that eats your gut
What is that fire burning from your every word
Is it envy’s colour I see in your every pore
Or is it the emotions that warps and curls your face and lips
Or your nostrils dilating with revulsion
Whenever near you I draw?
Bye Bye Low Esteem

In all, four things I delight if;
One, in your pique’ you say no to early marriages which leads to poverty
Two, in your faith avoid peer pressure
Three, am glad if you say no to drug abuse
Four, if you compliment yourself to avoid low esteem.
Say:  It’s achievable, achievable, achievable

Bradley,
I hope this email finds you in good health.

I am going on well in school. Like I had mentioned to you in my previous email, I attended the KEF workshop organized by Mr, Muasya in Nairobi’s  Karen area.What a successful retreat Brad!

We not only learn t a great deal, we also had a rare chance to interact and know each other as KEF family members. The speakers were equally inspiring; teaching us words of wisdom and encouragement, challenging us (students), reminding us that we have a promising future, helping us discover ourselves, reminding us that friends play a critical role in our lives hence the need to be wise when choosing and interacting with them, helping us discover ourselves and cultivating a positive attitude towards life in all of us, just to mention but a few things.

There were students from The African Nazarene University who talked of careers and how well to manage our social lives as youths. The KEF staff, led by Mr. Muasya reminded us of the KEF policies and other sponsorship-related issues.

The accommodation was high class while we ate  top quality food. In fact, most of us wished that the workshop was extended for another two weeks or so!

We also had outdoor activities, playing fun games and mingling freely. Dominic Muasya was conspicuously involved in the games and do I say, we were all happy, ooh, very ecstatic!

Then came the photo session. We all enjoyed the session so much. When the time for parting became a reality, all we could do was thank KEF for everything as we hugged each other goodbye!

It was one of those moments that you wish came every other time! And I just had to share a bit of it with my buddy, that is you.
You guys are surely doing a real good job at KEF.

Much regards,
Dominic

Dominic Kashare – Form 4

Facebook posting, June 23^rd, 2011

“Thank you so much the KEF, the mother of hundreds of ample students in the republic. You’re like an Angel sent to all the KEF students by the ALMIGHTY GOD.  I pass a message to all my KEF siblings that we ”Go confidently in the directions of our dreams and we live the lives we have always imagined to live.”

SPONSOR TESTIMONIALS:

Diane, long-time KEF sponsor

Over the last 35 years, my best friend Lyn and I took annual vacations together.  Each year we would take turns on deciding where in the world we would go.  Lyn’s lifelong dream was to visit Africa, and in September of 2008 the time was right, and we set off for our African adventure.  Although we originally thought we would be in awe of the animals on our Kenyan safari, we soon realized that it was the Kenyan people that we fell in love with.  The generosity of spirit even when they had nothing, and the hope that they had in their hearts, seemed to inspire and change all of us who were in contact with them.  It was a trip that profoundly impacted us in a very positive way, and we were so grateful to have had this experience.

Not long after we returned from our trip, Lyn unexpectedly died.  It was a devastating loss, and I wanted to honor her in the best way I could.  I immediately knew the best way to do that, and it was to give the children in Kenya a chance to have a better life.  The only way to change their odds is through education.  I researched organizations who could help me achieve this, and in the process I discovered KEF.  This organization was exactly what I was looking for, as they had the same goals that I wanted to align with, they had the infrastructure to really make a difference in the lives of so many, and after speaking with representatives of the organization I was completely confident that this was the right place for me to become involved.  I felt like Lyn played a hand in guiding me to KEF, and I knew she would have wanted to participate in this cause.

I was paired with an absolutely wonderful girl, Stella Ndunge Muendo,  We have exchanged many letters back and forth, and I know how much KEF has helped her in her young life.  I now feel like she is an extended member of my own family and I feel deeply connected to her.  I know that she will now have the opportunity and tools to enhance the quality of her life.  She is so eager to learn and I have all the confidence in the world that she will make a very positive impact in Kenya.  Sponsoring Stella has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I intend to widen that circle of sponsorship.  So many times over the years I have seen, or read, or watched videos of the need to help the young people in places like Kenya and had the intention to help.  But I never followed through with my intention because I became distracted with my own life.  Now that I understand the deep and intense satisfaction I feel because I am taking action, and the difference that it truly makes in someone’s life, I can never ignore an opportunity to contribute where it is desperately needed.  I trust KEF and their efforts completely, because they give you direct contact with the people you are sponsoring.  KEF is transparent in the work that they are doing, and you know exactly where your money is going.  And you track the progress being made.  KEF has an excellent record of communicating regularly with the sponsors so that you feel included in the success of their efforts.

If you are inclined–and ready–to jump in and take action on your intention to help change lives for the better, there is no better organization than KEF.  You will be amazed at how your life can be transformed simply by this act of giving.  And you can be assured that KEF is the appropriate partner for you once you learn more about this fantastic organization.

Brenda V. of New York City – KEF Sponsor of a Young Girl

The Kenya Education Fund rents a space in our office and I see Brad and his staff pretty much every day.  There is a work ethic and attitude about them that spreads a rainbow across our office.  I see, from where I sit, a meticulous and consistent management of the education of Kenyan teenagers…this sort of genuine devotion and care made it a “no brainer” for me to sponsor a child through KEF.

I have believed since I was about 5 years old that offering an education to even one human being can impact a positive change in the world.  Bringing education to less fortunate children eager to learn brings the skills to find answers to the world’s most complex problems.  KEF has been the only organization that I have contributed to that I know for a fact is making this impact in the world.

I sponsor a child through KEF.  Her name is Joyce and she is in her final year of high school and will graduate this December.  Congratulations to Joyce in advance! She will take exams in the spring to pursue further studies in journalism.  Her letters, yes! I actually receive letters written by her in English demonstrate her knowledge of her country, her history and her passion for the environment.  Her joy of life is contagious and she, just like the KEF, spreads a rainbow across the room even from thousands of miles away.

Joyce is keenly aware of the needs required for an abundant future in Kenya and writes prolifically to share her ideas and thoughts.  Regardless of age and how distant we are apart we share a vision for Kenya and the world that is remarkably similar.  It is not just Joyce who is learning in school but it is I who has learned about life.

Joyce has traveled a great distance to be where she is today and continues to work diligently for the future of Kenya, her mother, little brother and herself.    When she had a need for help at school she bravely expressed it and KEF took measures to make sure her educational needs were met.  I can only imagine how much more powerful she will be as her voice becomes more articulate.

I know for some people, especially students, sponsoring a child could seem like a big commitment but it really is not.   I first started sponsoring children when I was 13 years old…but it truly has taken a lifetime to find the right organization that offers something that could make a substantive change in the world.

For less than the cost of my morning coffee I have paid for a high school education in Kenya for a child that remains eager to learn, eager to share and eager to save the world.  I dreamt of going to Africa my whole life but and have realized that dream in the sponsorship of a child through KEF.  Sounds a bit corny, but it is true.   My morning cup of latte has simply turned into a rainbow that spans across New York all the way to Kenya, Africa.  I want to thank KEF and Joyce for one of the most important, engaging and joyful experiences of my life and I haven’t even been to Africa yet! Oh what the future will bring…