November  2018

Jambo!

Fire Destroyed Girls' Dorm but Not Their Dreams

A devastating fire swept through the Taru Girls '  School dorm just weeks after school had started in September. Fortunately no girls were injured as they were all in class  in a nearby building , but  everything  they owned was destroyed. (Watch the video here.)
 YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!
The   school was closed  and the headmistress prayed for a miracle.  Kenya Keys went into action: our team in Kenya worked together with local school authorities in Taru to determine the best way we could help get the girls back into school. In the U.S. we conducted an awareness campaign, reach ing  out to people to support these girls. Together we raised over $25,000  -  enough to help get all 264 girls back into school!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

Additional funds are still needed to replace bedding, books, and uniforms for the girls.  Click  here   to see how you can  help .  


Did you know? 
You can help Kenya Keys by h osting  a house party.  We will come to your home
to share our stories and photos with you and your friends.  Your gathering can focus on raising awareness, or help to generate funds for a particular program.  Interested? Contact  Rinda . 


Color Fun Run in Oregon Helps Kids in Kenya
 

More than 100 children and their families came out for the 4th annual "Run to Mtulu" in Oregon this fall. This family-friendly event provided a fun way for
children of all ages to learn more about life for children in Kenya, and to come together to make a difference in the world.

The Run to Mtulu was started by Missy McConkie and her family to help support school projects at Mtulu Primary School in Kenya, where children  often run several miles to get to school.   This year, the children in Oregon wore t-shirts proclaiming "Pamoja Tunaweza" which is Swahili for "together we can do it". Indeed they did, as they r aised over $ 62 00  to help the girls impacted by the school dormitory fire.  We love empowering children to help children !   Thanks to all of the kids, families, and our amazing volunteers  who helped to make this the best Fun Run ever . Read more in the local paper or follow the link here for a photo slideshow.


Girls Told to Stop Limiting Themselves 
At International Day of the Girl Conference 

"You are capable of amazing things
but you can't let excuses hold you back!"

Halima Mwatela addresses the young women at the International Day of the Girl Conference in Taru.
That was the m essage heard over and over again by 200 young girls at the 6th annual Kenya Keys International Day of the G irl Conference in Taru village. This da ylong   event  engaged people throughout the community, including the Chief, Christian and Muslim leaders, a female constable, business women and parents. Boy leaders from Taru Secondary school also attended to show their support. 

The students, representing 7 primary and 2 secondary schools performed many poems, skits and traditional dances through which they expressed their concerns of limiting influences, sexual expectations and peer pressure influence. Strong women role-models encouraged the girls to build on their strengths, work hard on their academics, respect themselves and stop complaining of being left behind.

Madam Doris Motto from G-United encouraged the girls to realize their potential and not play small. "Let us wake up and see far as girls" she said as she warned the girls to not fall prey to dominance by boys, but to hold on to their dreams and strive to gain the skills needed to lead society.  Our thanks to our Kenyan staff, volunteers and alumni students who made this Day of the Girl conference so powerful. Enjoy more photos   here for a glimpse into this special day.

S.O.S. Girls gather for a photo at the conference.


To College and Beyond:  
Kenya Keys sponsors currently support   1 28   College Students  attending 
54 post secondary institutions throughout Kenya.   51  of these are girls! 
Think of the lives changed  and the ripple effect !  


Laptops for School Success

Can you imagine  succeeding in  college without a computer?  Kenya Keys sponsorships for college and university students only cover the cost of tuition.  Many of our sponsored students stay up until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning to use the school ' s computers for their assignments, or try to borrow from a friend.

We are committed to our student s' success in school  so  have launched a special  Laptop Program  through which we are able to get exactly the computers our students need for just $300 each.  You can help!  As Black Friday sales approach (day after Thanksgiving) we will be purchasing as many  of these  computers as possible to take to our students.  Please consider a donation to our  Laptop Fund.  

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