Coronavirus did not hit Kenya as hard as expected. Most people that test positive for Covid - about 80% - are asymptomatic, according to the health cabinet secretary, and that means less severity of illness. In fact, Kenyans seem to be dying at much lower rates than elsewhere in the world.
Several factors may contribute to this stark difference.
Half of the population is under 20 years old and less than 5% are over 60.
Major cities are filled with young demographics while the older population tend to live in rural areas.
Immunologists estimate that 1 in 20 adults have SARS-COV-2 antibodies.
Medications and vaccines for other conditions could help prevent severe effects.
Dilemmas for students With all the positive news on the pandemic front, school authorities rescinded the decision to close school and announced classrooms will reopen in September. But students face great inequities as they return to school. With much of the learning having changed abruptly last March to online, students who had no electricity, let alone electronic devices, have been left far behind.
While there is excitement about returning to class, the postponed national exams will be taken by two sets of students; those who have had months of remote learning and those who have not. You can imagine the hardship for our rural students! Kenya Keys is doing all they can to boost internet accessibility and computer availability for students.
Hope from alumni
Recognizing how disadvantaged the rural students are, the alumni and college students of Kenya Keys have issued their own call to action. They have mobilized and started a group called "Village Ambassadors". Travelling from village to village these Ambassadors do their best to teach, mentor, and inspire, with very few resources. They know the power of education!
Caroline Jabu, a inspiring volunteer and Kenya Keys Village Ambassador
The Gift of Giving
Proof that you are never too old
Jeana Petersen
Jeana Petersen, an 86 year old dynamo, is not only a sponsor of many years, but has brought a whole contingent of Arizona sponsors to Kenya Keys: her husband, her three children, and the Sun City Rotary Club. Jeana has also recruited 36 women, who, in groups of 6, sponsor their students from secondary school all the way through college.
Who might you invite to join the Kenya Keys family?
I give a little...
You give a little...
Global Giving will too!
Watch your email next week for the details on maximizing a small gift to Kenya Keys. It's a great time for new supporters or young children to get involved and see how just a little something can change the world.
Time to Celebrate!
Mark your calendar
It's been 15 years since the tiny seed of Kenya Keys was planted by founders Rinda Hayes and Joseph Mwengea! A year later, Brent Hayes joined the team, igniting a beautiful joining of friends who lived across the world from each other. It was all about education and it still is.
Join us for a virtual celebration on October 25, 2020 to see what you have helped make happen. We will share stories that will inspire and amaze you, as well as make you proud to be part of the team. More information is coming your way. You will not want to miss this!
October 25, 2020
7pm Mountain/6pm Pacific
Alumni Achievement
Alex, Faith and Ian
Working for Kenya Keys
Alex Mwengi was one of the original 14 students sponsored by Kenya Keys in 2005. Due to severe poverty, he could never have gone on to secondary school without assistance. He did very well at Kwale Boys school, then went on to earn a diploma from Meru Technical Institute in Accounting. In 2016, Alex married fellow Kenya Keys sponsored grad, Faith Mamake. They have a son, Ian.
Hired by Kenya Keys in 2015, Alex works as an accountant, circling back to the roots that set him on his journey. His dedicated contribution to the organization is a tribute to education as well as to his sponsors of 8 years, Peter and Heather Barth. We celebrate his success!
Would you like to help change the course of a child's life?
Karibu! We welcome Bill Allen, the newly elected Chair of the US board of directors. As part of the team that came to Kenya last October, Bill and his wife Linda visited Taru where he was given the tribal name of Majele, which denotes one who is the 'provider'. The Kenya Keys team: boards, staff, sponsors, donors, and students will benefit from Bill's wide experience.
Dave McCulloch
And to the outgoing chair, Dave McCulloch, we say: Asante Sana! Thank you very much! Dave has seen the growth and maturing of Kenya Keys, serving as a catalyst for miracles! Dave's dedication to Kenya Keys comes from his firm belief that education is the one gift that can never be taken away - that educated people find jobs, develop self esteem, and become leaders in their communities. In Dave's words, "The value of an education carries on for generations."Kenya Keys is ever grateful for Dave's leadership and influence.
