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| Issue: EFAC COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER #3 |
11/12/2009 |
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INSPIRED
HOLIDAY GIVING!
This holiday season, make a donation in the name of a family member, friend, colleague or teacher for a gift that will make a meaningful and lasting impact. Choose from the following Inspired Gift options and make this year's gifts an opportunity to educate a child and change a life forever.
Ways to Give
- Fund a Student Account for $50
- Fund the EFAC Scholar Mentor Workshop for $75
- Fund a Scholarship for $25 and up
How to Give
- Go to our Inspired Holiday Giving page on our website
- Choose from one of our gift options
- Your recipient will receive a creative gift card from EFAC to acknowledge your generous and lasting gift
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INSPIRED GIFTS AT WORK by Lisa Van Sciver
Last Christmas my siblings, cousins, and I received the gift of a 4 year scholarship to sponsor Mercy Semeyian Seneu. This gift continues to shine light into my life as I exchange letters with Mercy and hear of the success and happiness she has found.
Mercy's hard work and determination placed her 1st out of 95 students at the Mt. Laverna Girls' School, a very competitive school in Nairobi that ranks in the top 15% of Kenyan high schools. Mercy and twelve other EFAC scholars attend the Mt. Laverna Girls' School. To these young girls a desk, a uniform, books, three meals, a bed with their own sheets and a locker is luxury. In Mercy's first letter to me she noted the school's emphasis on discipline, cleanliness and academic excellence.
Mercy's home is in the Rift Valley with the Maasai, a semi nomadic tribe who currently suffers from a two-year drought. The Massai are pastoralists struggling to keep alive their livestock during severe famine. Coming from such remote conditions makes Mercy's academic achievements even more impressive. She plans to use her education to better her own community. In her second letter she wrote, "When I grow up, I want to practice medicine. I chose this, because where I come from, people suffer of unknown diseases. I will also build my own hospital at my home area, which will be free since people now cannot pay hospital bills."
Beyond Mercy's incredible drive to succeed she also talks about her family dog Scooby Doo, her passion to read and play sports, and her favorite food fried chicken with chapatti. I cannot imagine a better gift then helping Mercy reach her goals with an education. This holiday give one gift to many people with our Inspired Holiday Giving program. |
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 43 EFAC SCHOLARS ATTEND FIRST MENTOR WORKSHOP
by Sharon Maholtra
This August, I was lucky enough to be able to attend EFAC's first ever Mentoring Workshop. For three days the scholars heard selected speakers, participated in leadership and role modeling workshops and met the mentors from African Nazarene University.
The scholars are truly amazing, their desire and determination to succeed is humbling. They know that they have been given an opportunity to change their lives. They are so grateful and determined to do well. As we talked about their dreams and career goals, I was impressed to hear what they hope to do with their lives. Despite coming from difficult circumstances, they are still aiming high. We have future doctors, engineers, pilots, accountants and entrepreneurs among the scholars.
One of my favorite memories of the weekend was when I handed out letters from the donors. I can't tell you how much these letters meant to the children. They loved getting them and especially seeing pictures of their donors and their families (and pets!). It gives them a real connection to a stranger that cares enough about them to support and befriend them. If you are a donor, please continue to write to the scholars and send pictures, they truly treasure them.
I realized how important this workshop is for them. Many come from difficult backgrounds and have already had to fight to get this far in life. It is not easy for them. The mentoring workshop was such an encouragement for them, and a reminder for me that EFAC is truly changing the lives of these children and their communities. |
NATIONAL SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT
COLORADO  INITIATIVE
EFAC is now involved in a global citizen program in Colorado Schools. The program is designed to help children learn how giving to others can impact their world. Three Colorado Public Schools are participating in fundraising for EFAC scholarships. Throughout their quest they will be gaining leadership skills, raising global awareness, and creating true multicultural experiences that will help shape the course of their lives.
Teachers will be working with their students and community to raise money for an curriculums Colorado teachers, in conjunction with EFAC, have incorporated the program into their social studies curriculum. Through economics, civics, history, and geography students will analyze the differences between their world and developing countries such as Kenya.
It is our hope that through these process students will gain a true understanding of the world around them. They will acquire the global knowledge needed to become effective participants in an international economy, productive members of the workforce, and knowledgeable decision makers on an international level.
Ultimately EFAC is creating next generation leaders in Kenya and the United States who will eventually be working as partners to create a stronger world for us all.
We believe that these Colorado students will understand they are not only giving the gift of education to a young EFAC scholar, but to themselves as well.
NEW HAMPSHIRE INITIATIVE
At the Newport Vo-Tech high school several classes came together to sponsor an EFAC scholar. Their teachers are using the experience to study the culture of Kenya, the education system and the health problems unique to Kenya
All classes will be writing to EFAC scholars who have not received a letter from their sponsor. EFAC scholars are hungry to hear from their US sponsors, to understand the US culture and to express thanks.
For just $2 per day a student can attend high school. Many Newport students realized that by foregoing one thing a week they could contribute $2 per week toward a child's education. It will not take very many students making this contribution to change the life of a child. |
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MEET NEW EFAC ADMINISTRATOR: SHEILA KELLY 
Sheila joined EFAC in September. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MS from the University of Virginia. Her professional experience has been primarily in secondary education and Information Systems. She has also been actively involved in fundraising with her local PTO. She lives in Exeter, NH with her family. |
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RECENT EVENTS:
FROST ON THE PUMPKIN: CONCORD NH LYCEUM 
October 24th, 100 people gathered at the New Hampshire Historical Society for an evening of art and philanthropy. EFAC benefactors Steve and Susan Duprey, held their second annual "Lyceum" featuring EFAC founders Rod and Nancy Van Sciver and New Hampshire master cabinet maker David Lamb and painter James Aponovich.
Nancy and Rod, spoke about their "retirement" journey founding Education For All Children. In a short 20 months the EFAC team has provided scholarships for over 90 Kenyan high school and university students. Van Scivers related a great success story about what one can accomplish with vision. James and David presented their collaborative projects aptly named, "Lambovichs". Their vision of combining their two arts is ground breaking. Vision was the common ground for this year's Lyceum.
CHICK NIGHT: FESTIVE AFRICAN EVENING
 September 16, 50 women gathered at Dede Cadieux's home in York Maine to celebrate and learn about EFAC.
Nancy Van Sciver, president of Education For All Children, presented an informative and moving slide show about EFAC's scholarship program. Following Nancy, Dennett Page shared her experience connecting with the student she and her husband sponsor. She emphasized that their sponsorship has been a meaningful and rewarding experience.
Julius Kipkoech, shared his remarkable story of how his scholarship changed his life. He ended his story by asking everyone if they thought he had done a good job in his life. There was not a dry eye in the house. Yes, Julius you have done a remarkable job!
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
CHICAGO FUNDRAISER: EFAC is going to Chicago! On December 12th EFAC supporters will host an evening of Indian music and dancing. Founders Rod and Nancy Van Sciver will join Sharon Maholtra and Ryanne Courtney in presenting EFAC's mission to the many guests invited to the EFAC holiday Gala. It will be a fun evening coupled with a mission. |
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JOIN THE BLOG
Visit our new blog which is located under the news tab on our website homepage. Here you will find commentary on what's new and what's up in the EFAC community. New postings may be sent to info@educationforallchildren.org. Anyone can add to and comment on an existing thread. It is our hope that this blog will become a viral and integral communication tool linking EFAC community students, mentors, donors and friends. Even though we are thousands of miles and many time zones apart, the blog will bring us together. So join the fun and send us your thoughts. | |
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Education For All Children provides scholarships to exceptionally bright and underprivileged secondary and university students in the developing world. We believe that the only way to enable children to reach their potential and change the world is through education.
Education For All Children is a 501c(3) Corporation |
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