Educate HIV Orphans in Kenya

This week ended with a jubilant mood for the graduation of the class of 2024.  The hall was decorated with flowers of different colors. The graduation ceremony commenced promptly at 10.00 am. The master of the ceremony was our dedicated pastor, Susan. “Who has the final say” was the congregation song. The congregation sang in reverence to Him, who makes all things possible. Indeed, no one but God, who makes all things happen at the right time, made this event possible. The graduation ceremony had an impressive turnout, with the 18 graduates, their families, Raymond, his assistant, and Kijiji Mission staff members present. The venue was filled with an air of excitement.

The girls were so excited to have come to the end of the course. It was a huge success for them, so they celebrated with a lot of vigor as they were optimistic about their journey in the transition.

The ceremony started with songs of praise to God. Later, the girls presented songs and performed a signed dance. Finally, they did a fashion show, which was much celebrated by the parents and the guests.

The event featured several notable speeches delivered by esteemed individuals as follows.

Kijiji Mission staff (Martha, Esther, and Daisy).

They all gave encouraging speeches to both the girls and their parents, citing the need for good character. They congratulated the graduates and wished them every success in the future.

Government county official.

 We had a government county officer in charge of the Daraja project. She explained the benefits of this opportunity. She said their main aim is to sharpen the skills of the learners who graduate from different colleges and give them real exposure to their fields.

Cecilia, a former student.

Cecilia, one of our former students, said that she has improved her speed and the quality of her work. She is now earning a living making school uniforms.

Regina, a former graduate.

Regina, a former student of Kijiji Mission, graced the occasion and encouraged our girls to push on; she said that determination is the wheel to success, she said that she gained a lot of experience while doing her six month attachment at Daraja, and that she gained confidence in handling the complex machines, like flat locks that makes t-shirts and printing machines. She encouraged the girls first to be settled before engaging into married life; she gave her example that she first secured a job and later got married, and she is now blessed with a baby girl, which she brought along with her.

Graduate Representative.

The student representative from the graduating class delivered a heartfelt speech, reflecting on their college journey and expressing gratitude to the director of the Springs of Hope Foundation in her absence, all the staff, and family members who supported them along the way.

Issuing of certificates.

The Graduates were given their certificates as they took photos with their families in a celebratory mood. They were ushered with different-colored flowers and messages of congratulations.

Cake cutting.

Finally, the occasion was graced with a cake, which marked the climax of the celebration. Every person on the premises got a piece to mark the efforts of all who participated in the graduates' journey.

In conclusion, the 2024 graduation ceremony was another joyful success, marked by its impressive attendance, inspiring speeches, and jubilant atmosphere.

 We sincerely thank the Springs of Hope Foundation and all the esteemed donors for their unwavering support in making this possible.

Warmest regards,

Martha Kariuki

Links:

• http://www.springsofhopefoundation.org
• https://www.facebook.com/kijijimission/
• https://www.instagram.com/springsofhopefoundation/

Most of us had the luxury of early education, right? Yes, I do mean luxury. According to recent data from UNESCO, 250 million children worldwide are currently out of school¹. This figure has increased by 6 million since 2021. Globally, 16% of children and youth (covering primary to upper secondary) are not attending school, with 48% of the out-of-school population being girls and young women. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly 30% of all out-of-school children globally¹. 
We are encountering more and more children within our surrounding communities and during our food hamper distributions whose parents, usually single mothers, cannot afford to enroll their children in school from kindergarten, or they have been in and out of school for entire semesters and sometimes full years, due to a lack of school fees. We are now supporting more and more children. We're up to fifteen children at the moment, with several more we would love to be able to afford to sponsor. Six currently have monthly sponsors. When we're financially able, we will sponsor additional children. Here are two of the girls we are currently supporting. However, they do not have monthly sponsors. 
 

When we met Mercy and her mother at one of our food hamper distributions at the beginning of October, she had been home from school for the entire term due to a lack of school fees.
Mercy, a promising student in Form 2, has shown remarkable resilience and potential. Despite the many terms she missed growing up, she achieved a commendable C+ grade last term. This is a testament to her determination and the value of investing in her education. Her single-parent mother bravely navigated life's challenges after her husband left a few months earlier when he found out that her mother was pregnant with their fourth child.                                                           
Mercy's family is facing numerous hardships. As the oldest, Mercy has the responsibility of looking after her three younger brothers, including the newest addition to the family, her now six-month-old baby brother. The five of them share a single room, and their mother, the sole breadwinner, works tirelessly, juggling laundry and seasonal farm work to provide for the children. Unfortunately, the father does not contribute to the family's welfare in any way.
When we met her, Mercy's school fees were 5,750/—for this term, plus last term's fees of 4,500/—, which were in arrears. That’s approximately US $70.00, not including uniforms and other school supplies. Your support could significantly impact Mercy's life, ensuring she can continue her education and pursue her dreams.
 I WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR MERCY WITH A RECURRING MONTHLY DONATION OF $25.00

We met Josephine and her mother at one of our food hamper distributions. Her mother is bedridden due to a leg injury that was not treated on time.
Josephine is in Form 3 at Kivumbini Secondary School. Josephine wakes every morning at 5 a.m., cooks for her mother, and then prepares herself to walk to school. After school she takes care of Mom's needs, does all the house chores, and prepares the evening meal for herself and her mother. On weekends and school holidays, she does casual house help jobs to be able to support herself and her mother.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR JOSEPHINE AND HER MOM BY MAKING A MONTHLY RECURRING DONATION OF $25.00

We first met this family at the beginning of last year during a food hamper distribution. Their single Dad was doing all he could to keep the kids housed and fed. Going to school was a faraway dream. 
When I shared their story with a dear friend, she immediately stepped up, offering her support to this little family. Her kindness has made a significant difference in the lives of these children, showing that even a small act of kindness can have a profound impact.
Since enrollment in school last year, their report cards consistently show,

• Mary: Meets and exceeds expectations.
• David: Meets and exceeds expectations.

The youngest child, also called David, was only three when he was enrolled in pre-school, enabling Dad to look for casual handyman work daily without worrying about leaving his children alone; David also met expectations.
These three little ones are on the right path to success because they are armed with access to early, consistent education and nutrition. 

 Jennifer, Imagine the ripple effect of your contribution:  a young girl who defies societal norms to become a doctor, a young boy who lifts his community through innovative solutions, and countless others who are inspired to break free from the cycle of poverty.
Your support isn't just an investment in education; it's an investment in a world where every individual's potential is unleashed, and opportunities are abundant.
Your donation, whether big or small, can create lasting change. Here's how you can get involved:

Become a Monthly Donor: By joining our monthly giving program, you can provide a consistent source of support that enables us to plan for the long-term success of our scholarship program. Become a new monthly donor, and GlobalGiving will match your first donation at 100% after four (4) total payments.

Please donate today and help make dreams come true. Help ensure kids do not drop out of school.I WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR

Make a One-Time Donation: Your support can immediately assist needy students, helping us bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.

I am continually humbled and grateful for your support of the Springs of Hope Foundation's projects as we empower the lives of so many women and children in East Africa. I continue to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this remarkable journey.

Warmest blessings,

Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom
 

Links:

• FACEBOOK
• WEB PAGE