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Dear KEF Family and Friends,
With so much uncertainty and tragedy in the world right now--especially in Libya, the Ivory Coast, and Japan--we thought we'd dedicate our April newsletter to sharing uplifting stories of success from Kenya. With both ED Brad Broder and Development Manager Rachel Silver recently returned from the country, we have wonderful new pictures of KEF students and staff, coupled with updates on many graduates. Several, like Joyce, have recently entered technical colleges. Joyce will focus her two year course of study in Western Kenya on Business Management and Marketing. Others, like Raphael (pictured below), joined national universities and received laptops from the KEF and their sponsors to support their studies. Finally, students like Anderson, who has completed his studies and Daniel, a fourth year student at the University of Nairobi, have written the KEF to let us know what they've been doing as of late.
 | | KEF student Raphael receives a laptop as he begins university |
Our feature story this month highlights Kenya-based Logistics Manager Francis Ng'ang'a's travels to the Marsabit/Isiolo region to deliver school supplies and check in on the well-being of our currently enrolled students there. We hope you enjoy our pictorial tour.
Finally, we look forward to seeing many of you this coming Monday, April 11th at the Muttontown Country Club. Each year, our Power Travel Expo gains momentum and size. This year, we have dozens of vendors coming to share valuable information about vacations, hotels, cruises, discount packages, etc. Perfect timing for planning a summer getaway! Our silent auction is filled with wonderful prizes--picture yourself escaping the chilly spring to a warm Caribbean beach or winning concert tickets to see Elvis Costello or Paul Simon. Most importantly, ALL PROCEEDS from the night benefit the KEF!
With the deepest of gratitude,
The KEF Team |
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A Letter to the KEF: Written by Daniel, a former KEF student now completing his studies at the University of Nairobi
"It is with great happiness that I write to you following your support to me at the high school level which I term it as the gear to where I'm now. The assistance you provided to me brought me this far and I really see the effect.
I'm now in my fourth year at the University Of Nairobi hoping to graduate soon in psychology and political science. I would like to give much appreciation to the organization and the management at large for their great work.
The organization has revived many dreams from different individuals and because of this, many are now working towards their dreams. (i.e.: many dumped their visions but the organization brought them to life). Many have a good history of their lives following the long way the KEF organization has brought them from. Receive much greetings."
-Daniel
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A Pictorial Tour of the KEF in Isiolo and Marsabit
At the end of March, KEF Logistics Manager Francis Ng'ang'a traveled to Isiolo and the more remote Marsabit area of Kenya to check on KEF kids enrolled there and deliver school supplies. In all, Francis visited 35 students in eight schools. Please enjoy a pictorial tour of his journey.
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Francis (center), with In-House Accountant Maureen Mwende (left) and Database Manager Lena Muasya (right), in the KEF Nairobi offices before leaving for his trip
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Francis' first stop was Moi Girls' Secondary School where he visited (L-R): Rahma, Rose, Munah and Qabale.
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From Moi Girls', Francis headed to Marsabit Boys' where the one KEF student enrolled there received new textbooks and supplies.
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Twelve KEF Students attend St. Paul's Secondary. Here, a group of students fill out KEF forms after receiving calculators and textbooks.
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One of the most remote schools visited by Francis, Bishop Cavallera Girls' Secondary, lies about 25 km from Marsabit Town. During his visits, students were taking their mock KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. These exams, taken at the end of the fourth year of high school, determine a student's eligibility for university or college.
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Tume, Rose, Ashu, and Redempter (L-R) are students at St. Mary's Girls Secondary School. Francis had a very productive visit to this school, where the KEF has an especially close relationship with the principal.
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Francis' next stops were Isiolo Girls' and Boys' Secondary Schools. Kabale, pictured here, is a student at the former. Francis missed the opportunity to visit with one student at Isiolo Girls' who was away competing at a Drama Festival. Good luck performing!
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In all, Francis was able to provide books and school supplies to 35 of our 500 students. Girls were also given sanitary napkins, as described in our March newsletter. The remaining KEF students across the country have received similar visits from KEF representatives.
According to Francis in his report to the board, one of the most rewarding aspects of his trip was seeing such an even male/female ratio among KEF students. The 2011 academic year in Kenya is off to a great start!
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KEF Alum Anderson Odak Launches Kasand Group Website
Former KEF student Anderson, featured in our brochures, recently launched an updated website for his company, the Kasand Group.
Anderson continues to manage a leading IT organization in Southern Sudan and Nairobi. And, amidst all of his successes, he never forgets to lend a hand to the KEF.
Here, Anderson waits by his new car for Brad, to whom he often lends it for school visits in Kenya.
Anderson also frequently offers his IT expertise to the KEF Nairobi office. He does all of this in addition to sponsoring his own nieces and nephews through secondary school. Keep up the good work, Anderson! And thank you for all you do....
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Thank you KEF Supporter Jonathan Schein!
Jonathan generously offered to advertise the KEF at www.NYinc.com.
According to Jonathan, the website is a free source that offers news and information for the commercial
real estate industry in the metropolitan New York area. Its daily
circulation includes about 10,000 readers.
Thank you, Jonathan, for the wonderful exposure!
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