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Let us be the "village" for Catherine in Kenya

Tax deductible
Let's make a difference together!   I'm raising money to benefit 14 year old Catherine Letipo (her story is below)  in northern Kenya for Kenya Drylands Education Fund (KDEF), and any donation will help make an impact!  This is the same non-profit, just a different name, that you all so generously donated money to to purchase "opportunity kits" (menstruation kits that allow girls to stay in school.)  Thank you in advance for opening your heart and contributing to Catherine's education. 

More information about Kenya Drylands Education Fund (Kenya Drylands Education Fund): Kenya Drylands Education Fund's mission is to offer educational opportunities to Marsabit and Samburu County students, to raise awareness of women's health issues, and to promote gender equality, thereby increasing the odds of women and men acting together to make important contributions to the vitality of northern Kenya. KDEF has three educational initiatives: to provide reusable sanitary pads, underwear, and soap to primary school girls; to raise sponsorships to cover secondary school tuition for talented students; and to facilitate a mentorship program for Kenyan girls and boys to learn about life skills, reproductive health, and the value of remaining in school.

 Catherine's story:
When I contacted Sarah Hadden, co-founder of KDEF, regarding starting a GoFundMe for a scholarship she was literally on her way to the airport to fly to Kenya to attend one of KDEF's mentorship programs.  She informed me that all the scholarship slots had been awarded for the start of the school year in January 2020.  I asked if there was anyway we (you and me) could sponsor a girl at this late date and she immediately contacted their Kenya Country Director and he said yes, there was a girl, Catherine,  who had just been told by her father that she would have to drop out of school and forget pursuing her high school education because her father had lost everything.

After 18 months of severe drought, the rain finally started falling at the joy of the pastoral communities of northern Kenya.  The kinsmen could finally return to their homesteads after having been gone for 18 months herding their cows, camels and goats to find water.  Catherine, 14 years old and the only girl in her village to get a secondary school education, had just passed (with flying colors) her Primary School exam. Catherine wants to become a nurse.

When her father returned home she received the very sad news that her older brother had died, and that bandits had stolen all of her father's livestock. Because of these tragic events Catherine was told she could no longer pursue and education.

And this is where we- you and me- come in!  Please join me in sending Catherine to Primary School.  The Kenya Drylands Education Fund (KDEF)  offers a High School Scholarship Program to promising secondary school students from vulnerable, impoverished families in Marsabit and Samburu Counties in northern Kenya with resources they need to complete four years of study in high quality boarding schools, without distractions or want for food, clothing, supplies, and safe housing.   Secondary school is expensive, especially for families living on less than a dollar a day. A four -year scholarship provides for full-board tuition, uniform, bedding, books and sanitation supplies for girls.   

A full four-year scholarship costs $3,400, with the new school session starting in January 2020. 

Thank you all so much,
Joan
www.fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com

Below is a video of some of the girls that KDEF helps...
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $20
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $185
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Joan Ross
Organizer
Manchester, VT
Kenya Drylands Education Fund
Beneficiary

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