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A Holiday Thank You to EFAC Supporters
"My role model is you the donor because you opened a world for me and helped me to go to secondary school." EFAC Kenyan Student
As 2011 comes to a close the EFAC family has a lot to be thankful for. In three years 147 students have been enrolled in the best high schools in Kenya. 5% of the students are number one in their class, 25% are in the top 10% of their class and 50% are in the top 25% of their class. Without your support none of these bright young students would have gone to high school.Thank you for starting these talented students on an incredible journey that a few short years ago, they could not have even imagined
But our story is much richer than the statistics. U.S. families have come together to support the EFAC students and in turn to educate their own children about the global world we live in. Kenyan students are thankful for their expanded global family. Cultural similarities have become more important than cultural differences.
We are the best of what happens in today's world. Volunteer citizens from Kenya and the U.S. working together toward change through education.
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Visiting Kenya for the First Time
by Sheila Kelly
In October, I had the privilege of travelling to Kenya with EFAC founders Nancy and Rod Van Sciver.
 | | Meeting Ardelia |
The highlight of the trip for me was meeting the EFAC students for the first time. In the two years that I have worked for EFAC I have become quite familiar with their stories, but meeting these students in person helped me really understand why EFAC is so important. These students, whose education would have ended in 8th grade without EFAC scholarships, are bright, ambitious and very grateful for the opportunity to attend high school.
The students were shy with me at first, but when I jokingly asked them whether they could listen to music in their dorm rooms or take hot showers, they laughed and began to open up about their school experiences ("no, of course we do not have hot showers or music in our dorms!"). But school provides security and safety that were not necessarily part of their lives before they were awarded EFAC scholarships. Now they can talk of their future and their goals. Some have lofty ambitions, and many talk of attending university and giving back to their families and local communities. Ardelia, the student I sponsor, wants to become a doctor to provide better health care in her hometown.
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EFAC and Partner School Teachers |
During our four-hour luncheon with the heads and contact teachers from all of our partner schools, I could understand the students' sense of comfort and hope. The teachers and heads know our students well and talk specifically of their concern for each student. I left the luncheon understanding why our students feel grateful, and why EFAC is lucky to be working with these schools and these educators.
In Nairobi, we also met with Equity Bank, which champions educational initiatives and has generously supported the EFAC mission. Every August, they run an Education and Leadership Conference for 1,000 top secondary school students in Kenya, and they agreed to take the top 20% of our students for their conference in 2012. The keynote speaker next year will be Bill Clinton. What a great opportunity for our top-performing scholars!
Meeting with students, teachers and even Equity Bank our discussions always came back to what these talented young people will do after graduation. The consensus was that we have provided them with a great education and we cannot stop now. Plans are underway to offer EFAC students post secondary educational assistance. We are excited to be approaching this point in the EFAC story. |
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Reflections on my Internship in Kenya
by Kelsey Redpath
I was in Kenya from September 1st to November 26th. I cannot even begin to tell you what an amazing experience I had.
 | | Vanessa Grant Girls School |
I attended the Mentor Workshop my first weekend in Kenya and got to see all the excited and smiling scholars that we have so lovingly sponsored. After the workshop, I lived in Rongai Village and volunteered at The Vanessa Grant Girls School, where I taught some English classes and Rongai Boys School, where I mentored the boys during their free time.
 | | Rongai Boys School |
EFAC has given hope to these students. They have had more obstacles in their young lives than many of us have had our whole lives. Having a sponsorship really encourages them to reach for their dreams and accomplish their goals of being doctors, lawyers, or engineers. These kids have been giving an amazing gift and they are taking full advantage of it, trust me.
I was so impressed by the quality of schools our scholars are in, by the driven, caring staff and especially by the intelligent, hard-working students. Everything about my internship in Kenya exceeded my expectations. I am so fortunate to have had this great opportunity and I can't wait to keep in touch with these students and continue supporting EFAC.
Check out my photos on Flickr. |
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Share the Joy this Holiday Season
Are you still looking for a special gift for the holidays? Consider a donation to our Student Fund in the name of a friend or colleague and help support our EFAC students. A beautiful gift card will be sent to your friend or loved one to acknowledge your generous donation.
For a donation of $50 or more, a a hand-crafted, beaded bracelet will be included with the gift card.
To make a holiday gift donation, click here.
Happy Holidays.
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MBT Holiday Campaign
 MBT Shoes, our corporate cause partner, has created a holiday gift card that features EFAC students, with proceeds benefitting our mission. "Give the gift of comfort this holiday, and feel good about it."
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