Kenya has been close to our hearts for more than 35 years, since we first lived in Kisii District as Peace Corps Volunteers
The Kenya Project
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May 23, 2002
Kenya has been close to our hearts for more than 35 years, since we first lived in Kisii District as Peace Corps Volunteers. We have maintained close ties and two summers ago we returned for what was our twelfth time. As a result of that visit, we have taken on the responsibility of building a school in Kenya -- Sema Academy. We hope you will join in that endeavor with us.
Education is the key -- to good health, to equality between the sexes, to a prosperous life, to social justice and personal freedom. But education isn't available to everyone, especially in a country such as Kenya in East Africa, where free education is a false promise.
Under the direction of Dr. Japheth and Helen Maranga, Sema Academy has become a serious institution, as it has risen to near the top in academic standing in the Kisii/Kipsigis area.
We have known the Marangas for more than 25 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher and he chaired the early childhood education department at Moi University until his recent retirement.
The Kenya Fund of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island is now a year old and we are happy to tell you that the project has raised over $15,000. One of the three wings for the school now has a roof and a blackboard and building is nearing completion. Tuition for his entire school career has been guaranteed for seven-year old Japheth Makori. Scholastic Books sent reading materials for the school library and a pen pal program has been implemented with children in New York and Chicago. The school is now acquiring its first computer.
We have received grants from the Schulz Charitable Foundation, the Joe Weill Social Action Project of the Ethical Humanist Society of LI and the Returned Peace Corps Association of LI. The remainder of the money was raised from contributions of individuals ranging in amounts from $25 to $1,000.
In a country where the average income is less than $500 per year, a little money goes a long way. Here are some examples:
* $25 buys a book for every child in one class;
* $64 pays for one month's teacher's salary;
* $100 puts a child through grade school for a year;
* $400 buys glass for windows, plaster for walls, cement for a floor and a blackboard;
* $6,000 completes a building that has 10 classrooms, staff-room, head teacher's office, director's office and a computer room;
* $10,000 makes the school tuition-free for all the children for one year.
These hopes, dreams and aspirations can become realities. Two years ago the Marangas had never thought they would have one building completed and the help that they have received. Most importantly, is the education that they can now provide, in this a country beset with enormous social problems. Some day it will be the children from Sema who will make a difference in their own country.
We hope that you will see the Kenya Fund as one of the projects that you support. We are sure that the money we send overseas will make a difference in the lives of many people. And we can assure you that the money goes directly to the project. There are no administrative costs and no overhead.
The Kenya Fund is under the supervision of three returned Peace Corps volunteers from Kenya and it is part of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island.
Please send your tax-deductible contribution, made out to the Kenya Fund/EHS of LI to: Kenya Fund, Ethical Society, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530.
If you have any questions about the fund and would like to speak with us, we can be reached at home at 516-997-8545.
Thank you.
-- Arthur & Lyn Dobrin
