REcent Newsletter articles
Kenyan Schools of Hope typically sends out a newsletter on a monthly basis with news from the Ewuaso Osiligi Center, stories about the rescued girls, and updates on construction projects. If you would like to receive these newsletters, please go to "Contact Us" and select "Keep me updated on Kenyan Schools of Hope progress."
For recent articles on how construction of the multipurpose building is progressing, please go to Construction Updates.
Hope at last
Nancy is a seven-year-old girl, the fifth born in a family of six children who have never attended school. This unfortunate circumstance stems from her father's cultural attitude towards education and the rights of the girl child. In their community, it is customary for girls to be married off at a tender age, usually after undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM). Nancy's older siblings suffered this fate, being married off at the age of 14.
The situation worsened in 2014 when Nancy's mother was involved in a tragic accident, leaving her crippled and unable to care for her children. Her father, adhering to his polygamous lifestyle, neglected his responsibilities and chose to wait until Nancy turned 14 to marry her off, thus continuing the cycle of deprivation and injustice.
Amidst this bleak scenario, there was a glimmer of hope. Ewuaso Osiligi Rescue Center, which is dedicated to supporting vulnerable children, intervened after hearing the family's plight. Their timely intervention has transformed Nancy's life. She is now one of the school-going children at the Ewuaso Osiligi Center where she is receiving an education and the chance for a better future.
July 2024
Turbulent Times in Kenya: A Call for Prayer
An appeal from Ewuaso Osiligi Rescue Center and School
Recent events in Kenya have left many of us feeling anxious and uncertain. The young generation, identifying themselves as Gen Z, have taken to the streets in major towns, demonstrating against the proposed finance bill, and demanding accountability and governance reforms. Last Thursday, the situation escalated dramatically as youths stormed parliament buildings shortly after the Members of Parliament passed the finance bill.
The demonstrations erupted into chaos, resulting in 24 young men being shot dead and hundreds injured, many of whom were rushed to hospitals in Nairobi for treatment. The tense atmosphere persists despite the President's efforts to address their demands. The youth continue to insist on tangible changes and have vowed to hold weekly strikes until their concerns are adequately addressed.
This turmoil underscores the deep-seated frustrations and the urgent need for meaningful dialogue and reform in our beloved country. The ongoing unrest highlights the critical issues that need to be addressed to ensure a stable and prosperous future for all Kenyans.
In these challenging times, we earnestly seek your prayers for peace, wisdom, and unity in Kenya. Let us stand together in prayer for the safety and well-being of all those affected and for a swift resolution to the conflicts at hand.
July 2024
Jane
Jane, a 19-year-old girl, had her education interrupted when financial challenges forced her to drop out of secondary school. While at home, she became pregnant and was married off to a man in his mid-30s. They had another child, but the marriage was plagued by abuse and violence, leading Jane to leave with her children.
Determined to provide for her family, Jane took on various manual jobs to sustain them. In this vulnerable state, she was discovered by Ewuaso Osiligi rescue center, who recognized her potential and offered her the chance to return to school. This opportunity was transformative for Jane.
Back in school, she has demonstrated exceptional prowess in mathematics and sciences, quickly becoming one of the top students in her class. Her future now looks bright, filled with possibilities for further education and a stable career. Jane's success is a testament to her resilience and the life-changing impact of your generous support. Thank you for helping her realize her potential and giving her a chance for a better future.
June 2024
Recent Mission trip
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Floods in kenya
In recent months, Kenya has been ravaged by devastating floods, wreaking havoc on infrastructure and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The relentless downpours have inundated homes, roads, and vital infrastructure, displacing thousands of people and disrupting socioeconomic activities across the nation. Ewuaso town where our rescue center is located, was not spared either.
These floods have not only rendered many homeless but have also had a profound impact on the livelihoods of countless individuals and communities. Agriculture, a cornerstone of Kenya's economy, has been particularly hard-hit, with crops destroyed and farmlands submerged under water. This has led to food shortages, loss of income, and increased vulnerability among already marginalized populations.
Moreover, the damage to roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure has hampered transportation and access to essential services, exacerbating the already dire situation. Remote areas have been cut off from aid and emergency services, further compounding the challenges faced by those affected by the floods. This has also forced the Kenya government to close all schools and suspend learning indefinitely.
Please pray for relief from the flooding in Kenya.
May 2024
Euinice
Eunice’s journey with the Ewuaso Osiligi Center since April 2023 has been nothing short of transformative. Hailing from a humble background fraught with diverse challenges, her story encapsulates the profound impact that dedicated organizations can have on individuals striving to break free from the constraints of circumstance. Born into a world where opportunities seemed scarce and dreams felt distant, Eunice faced the harsh reality of limited access to education. Despite her inherent potential and unyielding determination, the financial burden of schooling loomed large, casting a shadow over her aspirations for higher learning. Like many in similar circumstances, the prospect of attending secondary school remained an elusive dream, slipping further from her grasp with each passing year.
However, April 2023 marked a pivotal moment in Eunice’s life as she became a beneficiary of the Ewuaso Osiligi Rescue Center and School. This beacon of hope amidst adversity opened doors that had long been closed to her, offering not just education, but also a pathway to empowerment and self-realization. For Eunice, this opportunity was not merely a chance to acquire knowledge but a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak horizon.
May 2024
ANNIE
In 2020, Annie gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in her village at the age of 13. Soon after, she was married off to an older man in her community.
Not long after entering into her marriage, her husband became physically abusive. Fearing for her and her daughter's safety, she fled from the marriage and from the community. She sought out the help of the local chief, who facilitated her rescue and brought her to the rescue center.
Annie now is in her sophomore year of high school, or "Form 2" as it is called in Kenya. She is thriving at the rescue center while her daughter is in the care of her mother in a nearby village. She is full of joy and hope, now that she lives in the safety of knowing she is no longer at risk of child marriage.
April 2024
Farming Season
For the current growing season, unused farmland was offered by a parent who was grateful for the work being done by the rescue center.
Deacon and one of the guards from the rescue center have volunteered to cultivate and plant maize in their free time. Not only will this be a huge blessing to the school, but it also shows amazing teamwork and dedication amongst the staff!
March 2024
FInal Emergency food distribution
On February 9th, the outreach team, led by Catherine Wangari, embarked on the final distribution of food for members of a nearby local village. This community has faced severe drought for over three years, resulting in the deaths of livestock and jeopardizing their livelihoods. The community of Ewuaso has been greatly impacted by your generosity. Thank you for partnering with us!
February 2024
education: A Path out of poverty & child labor
Josh is 11 yrs old and hails from Loita Hills. He is the first born in a family of four whose parents live in abject poverty and cannot afford to send them to school. He came to Ewuaso in 2022 and was employed to take care of livestock despite his tender age. Deep inside his heart, Joshua had the quest to pursue education just like other children whom he met every morning as they went to school while he did his chores. He was spotted on several occasions at the gates of our school gazing curiously at the activities of our pupils.
It was on one of these occasions that a community health promoter took note of him and decided to inquire more concerning Joshua. He narrated his desire to join school just like his fellow kids but because of poverty and lack of means, he was forced to child labor hence looking after the livestock of his master who lives just adjacent to our center.
The matter was brought to Catherine, the board chair, who was very compassionate of Joshua’s plea and brought the matter to the board for deliberation. The board was very positive and agreed to seek for his scholarship as a day scholar. God opened the door further as his master also agreed to allow him go to school while he resides with him.
Josh represents the many Maasai young boys who, because of poverty, are forced into child labor at the expense of their education. We are glad to welcome Josh back to school in tandem with our objectives (education for all)!
January 2024
A few months ago, we shared about urgent needs that were increasing around the Ewuaso community where the rescue center is. Drought continues to be a pressing issue in the area and with that comes food insecurity.
We shared the need here with you and we saw the Lord's hand provide, through your generous giving! $5,000 in emergency funds were sent to Kenya to purchase food to reach families that are currently struggling with real hunger.
With two days for distribution, your gifts provided for over 500 families. 500 families! We thank God for your generous giving and for every step that ensured that these families would be provided for.
It was truly a team effort to make these distributions happen. Not only was the Kenyan board present, but a member from the American board was as well! The girls, teachers and staff assisted by helping pack the food supplies and preparing them to be distributed.
And of course, none of this would be possible without your generous giving. This is just one way that your gifts make real impact in Kenya!
November 2023
