74 million high school-age children are not in school **

Youth unemployment in Kenya is at a crisis level ***

As I am sure all of you know, on September 21, al-Shabaab, a terrorist group based in Somalia, attacked the West Gate Mall in Kenya. Fortunately none of our students or partners were injured or killed in the attack. EFAC joins with President Kenyatta and the Kenyan people in condemning such a senseless act of violence. 

UCC Congregational Church Sponsors 

Seven EFAC Students

Jo Deupree

Dena Caradimitropoulo, outreach coordinator, first introduced the church in Boxborough MA to the idea of student sponsorship in 2011. The church sponsored a student and invited EFAC board members, Jo Deupree and Nancy Van Sciver to talk to the parish about EFAC.

Subsequently three parishioners joined together to sponsor two more students. It was a moving moment for EFAC to be welcomed into the church community.

This year Jo and Nancy were asked back to the church to update the parish on the growth and success of EFAC. African food was served; Jo and Nancy talked about EFAC and the church sponsors shared how sponsorship had impacted not only the students' lives but also their own lives.

  

At the end of the evening four more scholarships were 

sponsored, one by the church and three by parishioners. Two of the new sponsors, Walker Royce and Paula Grieco have written books that they have offered to share with the students at the 2014 mentor workshop. We could not be more thankful to be part of this caring and involved group who has done so much to assist the EFAC students! 

Sponsor a Form 1 Student

 

Simon, St Marys School Ranked top 10% class

We have three remaining first year students that we would like to pair with sponsors. All of these students have come from very difficult circumstances. None have two parents and in most cases the remaining parent is sick and unable to care for their child. 

 

Despite these hardships these students have succeeded. 75% of our form 1 students are in the top 50% of their class. They are driven to succeed and with your assistance they will dramatically increase their chances of success.

 

Paul, currently studying mechanical engineering, began as a street boy. He wrote to his sponsor: "You were able to open my mind by telling me that no matter what your background you can still make it in life."

 

To meet the three unsponsored students click here and look for a student with a red flag in his/her profile.

Recent Events  

Thanks to sponsor Kate Strasburg for hosting an EFAC fundraiser at her home in Los Altos this month. Over 50 people came to hear the EFAC story and enjoy African arts and crafts as well as songs by Talisman, a Stanford University singing group. Thanks to the generous support of the attendees, enough money was raised to send 8 students to school this year. View photos >

Thirty-five sponsors attended the second annual EFAC Graduation Party on October 24 to celebrate the upcoming graduation of their students and learn about the post secondary opportunities for the Class of 2014. Thanks to all who attended and to Ric Miller and Janet Crowder for talking about their experience as post secondary mentors.