EDUCATIONAL
SPONSORSHIPS
Because of the costs associated with schooling in Kenya, it is difficult
for orphans to get the education they need to prepare them for their
future. Friends of Kakamega has been providing educational sponsorships
for orphans since 2004 making it possible for 95 children to go to
elementary and high school. Along with sponsorships of the children
living at the Care Center there are two other kinds:
Home-based Sponsorships:
These are for orphans who live with a guardian (such as a grandmother,
aunt or uncle). Although elementary education was made "tuition-free"
in 2004, there are costs related to schooling that makes it impossible
for poor children to attend.
Such costs are: a school uniform (mandatory for all school children);
shoes, a sweater, books, stationary and the multiple fees that the
school charges (which are not termed tuition but can add up to the
same amount).
COST: Sponsorship of a Home-based child is $150 for the year.
This covers the above costs plus a mattress and blanket and about
$25 for food.
TIMING: The Kenyan school year runs from January - December.
Sponsorship donations need be received by Friends of Kakamega in time
to be wire-transferred for the new school year. Anyone wishing to
begin a sponsorship part way through the year can do so with a portion
of that money used for the current year.
|
|
| Devis,
who now lives at the Care Center. |
Devis'
home that he shares with his grandmother. |
|
|
| Maureen
gets a new dress from her
sponser. |
Maureen
and her little brother live with an unemployed distant relative.
She is Home-based
sponsored. |
|
|
| Felix
is cared for by a grandmother. |
Felix
is a Home-based sponsored boy. |
High
School Sponsorships
High school is difficult to get into and very expensive in Kenya.
An 8th grader must pass a rigorous examination to be accepted into
high school. It is the philosophy of Friends of Kakamega to try to
continue the education of a sponsored child through high school if
possible.
The total costs of high school are approximately $950. Therefore we
seek two families paying $450-$500 each to put a single child through
high school. The children who get to go to high school are the ones
who are highly motivated to do well.
High
school students: Doris,
Simon, Joan and Knight
