Someone once told me the saying, ‘give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for a life time,’ and I could think of no saying more appropriate for the country of Kenya. I am not taking away from the importance of hand outs, without them, most people in this country would not survive, but there is definitely something to be said for the importance of an education. With it, we no longer need to rely on these handouts; rather we have the ability to do things for ourselves.
The institution that this child sponsorship program will primarily be working with is Monica Memorial Development Centre, Naivasha, Kenya. When I arrived in Kenya at the end of September in 2010, I was sent to work in Naivasha where I was given the opportunity to work and spend time with 53 amazing children and their teachers. With a population of over 40 million people (half of those being under the age of 14 years) I feel very blessed to have been given the chance to meet and get to know these particular children. When you look at the photos and read the profiles of the children in need of sponsorship, I hope, like I have, you will see that they are not just statistics; they are the faces of real children.
The Kenyan education system works on an 8-4-4 format. That is to say, 8 years of primary education, 4 years of secondary and 4 years of university. Monica Memorial hosts’ children up to class 3 (until the end of the 3rd year of primary education) and then they will either be lucky enough to continue the remainder of their primary education and even more fortunate to go onto secondary school, or, they will cease all education at around 12 years of age.
At Monica Memorial Development Centre, there are seven children in class three who need immediate sponsorship as of the beginning of 2011 in order to continue their primary education. While the tuition fees for primary education in Kenya are supposedly made ‘free’ by the government, there are still costs for things such as textbooks, uniform, desk hire and exam fees etc. The average cost to send one child to school for a year of primary education is around 10,000Ksh = approx. $120AUD.
I ask that when deciding to sponsor a child, you think carefully as it is an ongoing commitment. These children have another five years of primary education and a further four years of secondary, in which you can choose to send them to a government, private or boarding school, depending on your finances. To send Kevin (my sponsor child) to boarding school next year, it will cost me around $750 for the first year, and $350 per year for the three years following this. Sending a child to boarding school gives them a place to eat and the guarantee that they will also be fed.
This child sponsorship program has no administration fees and no marketing or promotional costs to cover. Every cent donated through this site will go directly to benefiting the children.
If you are interested in sponsoring one of the children listed below, please contact me at rebekka.hodges@gmail.com so we can discuss arrangements.
Samson Warui 11 years old
*SPONSOREDEmma Wairimu 10 years old
*SPONSOREDSimon Muturi 11 years old
*SPONSOREDTabitha Njambi 12 years old
*SPONSOREDPeter Kahiga 10 years old
*SPONSOREDEva Wanguri 9 years old
*SPONSOREDSarah Wanjiku 10 years old
*SPONSORED
Samson Warui, once a street boy, is one of three children that live at home with his mother. His mother is heavily involved with alcohol and prostitution. Samson walks half an hour to school and half an hour home every day. He is always the first one there and the last one to leave. He loves soccer and math and is doing very well at school. When he finishes school he would like to be a doctor to help save lives. He is always smiling and very helpful.
When she was just a baby, Emma Wairimu's father died of HIV and she was then abandoned by her mother, leaving her in the care of her grandmother. She now lives with two of her cousins under the care of their grandmother who is heavily involved in alcohol. Emma’s grades are not fantastic, though this is perhaps due to the poor conditions at her house. She is a great singer and dancer.
Simon Muturi lives at home with his two sisters, brother and his mother who is a prostitute. His father abandoned his family for a new family. He loves to play basketball and one day wants to work with the military to keep peace in times of conflict.
Tabitha Njambi lives at home with her mother, brother and sister. All three children attend school at Monica Memorial. Tabitha’s mother is currently unemployed. Tabitha would like to keep going to school so that she can become a lawyer to help not only her family, but also the physically challenged. She is very responsible, helpful and a bright student.
Peter Kahuga lives with his mother and brother in Mithuri Slum, Naivasha. His mother has HIV but Peter is not aware of her condition. Once a street boy, he is now receiving assistance from an organization called K-NOT. He loves the creative class, where his favorite thing to draw is cars, especially 'Hummers'. In the afternoon he helps to herd sheep and layer pottery. He wants to be a surgeon to save lives.
Eva Wanguri lives at home with her sister and mother. She was taken in off the streets to begin her education and thus has a great appreciates for learning. Eva would like to be a tailor so that she can make clothes for those who go without.
Sarah Wanjiku is the sister of Tabitha Njambi. When she finishes school, Sarah wants to be a TV presenter so that she can make a plea to people of the world to get along. She has never missed a day of school since she began and is very grateful for the chance to study at Monica Memorial.
In class two we have a further seven students in need of sponsorship. These children however, have one more year of education remaining at Monica Memorial. In 2012 they will need support to continue their education, until then they are in need of general sponsorship for clothes, books and food. Donations for general sponsorship can be made directly into the Monica Memorial account and can be as much, or as little as you feel. If you would like to sponsor one of the children below directly, please contact me at rebekka.hodges@gmail.com
David Ngugi 7 years old
*SPONSOREDBrian Soita 11 years old
*SPONSOREDPaul Muturi 9 years old
*SPONSOREDJulius Murigi 9 years old
*SPONSOREDDavid Mwangi 8 years old
*SPONSORED Helen Musimbi 10 years old
*SPONSOREDMaureen Njeri 7 years old
*SPONSORED
David Ngugi is HIV positive and in need of health care, especially food in order to continue taking his HIV medication successfully. He was orphaned as a baby and now lives with his grandmother.
Brian Soita lives with his mother and two sisters. They came to Naivasha following the post election violence in 2007 and they still live in the African Gospel Church.
Paul Muturi lives with his mother, brother and sister. He walks 4km to and from school each day. His one wish is to become a teacher. He feels lucky to have an education and wants to be able to give the same opportunity to other children.
Julius Murigi was orphaned as a baby and now lives with his grandmother, brother and sister. He loves school and wants to be a pilot and buy his own plane. He also loves long distance running.
David Mwangi lives with his mother and sister. When he finishes school he wants to get his drivers license so he can easily seek employment and help his family. His favorite past time is playing soccer with his friends.
Helen Musimbi lives in council quarters with her mother, two brothers and three sisters. She wants to be a police officer so that she will have a good income and be able to support her family.
Maureen Njeri lives with her mother, brother and sister. She wants to own a general store when she finishes school to earn enough money to assist her mother.
Other than class three and class two, there are two special cases from class one in need of urgent attention, they are Ruth Mugure (9 years old) and Anne Njeri (7 years old).
Ruth Mugure lives in Mithuri Slum with her mother and her sister. She only eats when she is fed during the feeding program at Monica Memorial as her home is completely void of food.
*SPONSORED
Anne Njeri was orphaned at birth and now lives with her grandmother. She is extremely malnourished and is need of food and clothing.
*SPONSORED
Samson Warui, once a street boy, is one of three children that live at home with his mother. His mother is heavily involved with alcohol and prostitution. Samson walks half an hour to school and half an hour home every day. He is always the first one there and the last one to leave. He loves soccer and math and is doing very well at school. When he finishes school he would like to be a doctor to help save lives. He is always smiling and very helpful.
When she was just a baby, Emma Wairimu's father died of HIV and she was then abandoned by her mother, leaving her in the care of her grandmother. She now lives with two of her cousins under the care of their grandmother who is heavily involved in alcohol. Emma’s grades are not fantastic, though this is perhaps due to the poor conditions at her house. She is a great singer and dancer.
Simon Muturi lives at home with his two sisters, brother and his mother who is a prostitute. His father abandoned his family for a new family. He loves to play basketball and one day wants to work with the military to keep peace in times of conflict.
Tabitha Njambi lives at home with her mother, brother and sister. All three children attend school at Monica Memorial. Tabitha’s mother is currently unemployed. Tabitha would like to keep going to school so that she can become a lawyer to help not only her family, but also the physically challenged. She is very responsible, helpful and a bright student.
Peter Kahuga lives with his mother and brother in Mithuri Slum, Naivasha. His mother has HIV but Peter is not aware of her condition. Once a street boy, he is now receiving assistance from an organization called K-NOT. He loves the creative class, where his favorite thing to draw is cars, especially 'Hummers'. In the afternoon he helps to herd sheep and layer pottery. He wants to be a surgeon to save lives.
Eva Wanguri lives at home with her sister and mother. She was taken in off the streets to begin her education and thus has a great appreciates for learning. Eva would like to be a tailor so that she can make clothes for those who go without.
Sarah Wanjiku is the sister of Tabitha Njambi. When she finishes school, Sarah wants to be a TV presenter so that she can make a plea to people of the world to get along. She has never missed a day of school since she began and is very grateful for the chance to study at Monica Memorial.
David Ngugi is HIV positive and in need of health care, especially food in order to continue taking his HIV medication successfully. He was orphaned as a baby and now lives with his grandmother.
Brian Soita lives with his mother and two sisters. They came to Naivasha following the post election violence in 2007 and they still live in the African Gospel Church.
Paul Muturi lives with his mother, brother and sister. He walks 4km to and from school each day. His one wish is to become a teacher. He feels lucky to have an education and wants to be able to give the same opportunity to other children.
Julius Murigi was orphaned as a baby and now lives with his grandmother, brother and sister. He loves school and wants to be a pilot and buy his own plane. He also loves long distance running.
David Mwangi lives with his mother and sister. When he finishes school he wants to get his drivers license so he can easily seek employment and help his family. His favorite past time is playing soccer with his friends.
Helen Musimbi lives in council quarters with her mother, two brothers and three sisters. She wants to be a police officer so that she will have a good income and be able to support her family.
Maureen Njeri lives with her mother, brother and sister. She wants to own a general store when she finishes school to earn enough money to assist her mother.
Ruth Mugure lives in Mithuri Slum with her mother and her sister. She only eats when she is fed during the feeding program at Monica Memorial as her home is completely void of food. *SPONSORED
Anne Njeri was orphaned at birth and now lives with her grandmother. She is extremely malnourished and is need of food and clothing. *SPONSORED
