Send John to Elmhurst University- Year 3

John Otieno is a Kenyan student at Elmhurst University where he is studying to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After two years of successful fundraising campaigns and hard work, John is halfway through his educational journey! He was accepted into the nursing program and is ready to thrive!

While this opportunity is exciting, college is expensive, and student loans are not an option for a child who lives in one of the poorest parts of the world. Your donation will allow John to earn a nursing degree and return to his community at a time when there is a desperate need for good health care.

How much will John's education cost?

It will cost about $20,000 to fund Year 3 of John's education:

Tuition & Fees: $44,000

Medical Insurance: $1,200

*Car Transportation: $7,000

Ongoing Expenses: (Textbooks, nursing supplies, phone): $1,300

Elmhurst Scholarships: ($28,000.00)

Community Scholarships: ($5,500.00)

*This year we were presented with a new challenge. For the first two years, John used public transportation, and now he will have nursing labs and practicums at Edward-Elmhurst Hospital, so having a car has become essential.

John received renewable scholarships from Elmhurst. Most notably, John earned half-tuition through the International Chairman's Award, and he was also awarded the Stig P. Orum Memorial Scholarship. John contributes to his education and by living with the Kuipers, bringing food, and taking the Metra when possible, he has found the most affordable way to accomplish his educational goals.

Why Elmhurst University?

Elmhurst University is a great fit for John on many levels. Elmhurst nursing graduates are awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and have a high passing rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which enables them to apply for a license as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Small class sizes and an active international student community make for a rich learning environment. The Director of International Student Admissions and Student Services is invested in John's success both academically and socially. With other African students on campus, John will have an opportunity to broaden his friend group while still finding a familiar community in a new place.

An unmatched feature of Elmhurst University is its affiliations with the United Church of Christ (UCC), the Christian denomination in which Josh serves as an ordained minister. Elmhurst strikes a unique balance of academic rigor while elevating spiritual and moral grounding that is reflective of the UCC denomination.

What role does the Kuipers Family play in John's education?

As the sponsors of this campaign, we (Josh and Julia Kuipers) are deeply invested in John and his family. To understand our connection to John, we rewind 18 years ago, when Josh was 19 years old and about to board his first flight.

Josh left his home in western Canada to work with a mission organization in Kenya. During his year there, Josh met an inspiring mentor and life-long friend, Sheth Otieno. Sheth was a pastor and community leader in Kibera, Kenya, the largest slum in sub-Saharan Africa. Living in Kibera and learning from Sheth ignited Josh’s sense of calling and profoundly changed the trajectory of his life. Josh also developed relationships with the Otieno family, including 3-year-old John.

Along with our three children, John is part of our family. John lives with us and commutes to Elmhurst University, where he attends class and works an on-campus job. Beyond familial support, we are John's financial sponsors. We will continue to help John secure additional support through outside scholarships and this GoFundMe campaign.

How can you get involved?

Please make a donation today and help us get the word out. Tell John's story. Share this GoFundMe campaign. Think about people in your life who might like to support John's journey- nurses, Elmhurst Alumni, friends who have traveled to Eastern Africa, UCC leaders. As the African proverb goes, "It takes a village..." If you would like to be part of John's village, follow his journey, and learn about more tangible ways to help him over the next 4 years, click HERE to receive his newsletter.

To view past fundraisers, click here.

Message from John

This past year has been a whirlwind of growth and learning here at Elmhurst College. I am so grateful for the incredible opportunity to pursue my education here, and I am glad that I got done with my pre-nursing classes and will start Nursing school this fall. I’m also nervous because I don’t know what to expect but at the same time, I also know that I’ll do everything within my power to come out successful. From academics to extracurriculars, I have been soaking up every experience and pushing myself to grow both in and out of the classroom and so far, I’m proud of where I’m currently at.

I’m grateful to all of you for your continued support as I achieve my dreams and most importantly for taking a chance on me. From your donations, sweet messages, and welcoming me into the CUCC community, I really appreciate it.

I’m grateful to the Kuipers’ for being my family here and making it feel like a second home. I really like how supportive and encouraging they have been through my ups and downs and I’m so thankful for living with them. Getting to watch Luke, Anna, and Caroline grow into kind and respectful people has been my highlight so far. I’m honored to be their big brother.