Anne and Me

Our Initiative - 
Building bridges to education for girls in Kenya

In poor countries, many of the world's young girls are faced with huge obstacles when it comes to receiving a formal 
education. They are often struggling to survive extreme poverty, abuse, early marriage, discrimination, and living in daily 
fear of their well being and their futures.
This unfortunately is not an uncommon scenario for young girls in rural Kenya. Primary school (K-8) and high school
(“secondary" in Kenyan terminology) is not free.
For rural Kenyans,  secondary schools are typically boarding schools with students living at the school during the school
year.

In addition to tuition, students are expected to pay room and board, as well as transportation to and from school each of
the three school terms.  Additional costs for students include uniforms, books, school supplies, bedding and personal
hygiene products. For rural students whose parents often struggle to earn a living, this is a huge barrier to receiving an 
education.

Without financial support, these children have no choice but to join their parents in seeking 'casual labor' with their low 
grade education. Girls often marry and start a family, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. 

The Back Story:
Stephanie remembers sitting in her living room as a child watching Wild Kingdom, fixated on the beauty of Africa and
the palatable calling she felt as the spirit of the people overtook her and the scenes of life flowed across the screen.  She always felt a deep calling to Africa.  What was calling her she didn't know, but she knew someday, she would travel there and it would be then that I would understand.
In 2011, that day came when she made her first trip to Kenya.  It was shortly after that trip that she began sponsoring a 
young girl named Anne.  Stephanie began making regular trips to Kenya and this is where she became deeply passionate about helping other girls like Anne have the opportunity to attend school.