501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Kenya Amini is now a registered United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Therefore, donations are now tax-deductible where permitted by the IRS. If you are interested in helping us in our mission to assist underprivileged children in Kenya please donate via credit card, Paypal or send your donation to the address below. Donations are used to ensure these children's basic needs are met and they receive an education.

Kenya Amini
301 Murphy Drive
Pacific, MO 63069 USA

A Kenyan Student Reflects on Studying in the USA!

Hear from Joyce about studying in the US. 
Note: Joyce is not one of my students but she is sponsored through Kenya Education Fund, the nonprofit we partner with for sponsorships of our students.
 

My name is Joyce Leboo.  As a nomadic girl from Narok, Kenya, it seemed impossible for someone like me to ever come to the U.S., but my dream came true when I was selected  by American Field Service (AFS) to be an exchange student in Birmingham, Alabama for my sophomore year of high school.

I have loved every single second, minute, hour and day here in America.  Yet, it was not at all what I expected.  My year was full of surprises.  Like any Kenyan teenager who only knows  America through the movies, I thought that the country was primarily white and I was surprised that America is a country full of diversity.  This country has so many people from all over the world which makes it so unique.

Another surprise was that most Americans seem to have the same standard of living.  And everyone has a car. The population of cars seems as great, if not greater, than the population of people.  It was amazing to me, the way traffic behaved with everyone following the rules.  Also the rules for “tipping” surprised me.  I discovered that Americans tip everyone in the service industry- wait staff, bartenders, cab drivers, hotel employees, beauticians and good service is rewarded with an even better tip.  This never happens in Kenya.

I was also surprised by the difference between American and Kenyan schools.  In Kenya, we are required to take 10-13 subjects a year while the American system only required 7 subjects a year and not more than 4 subjects a day.  In my boarding school in Kenya our day started at 5am with a two hour study hall, followed by classes until 5pm and then another study hall after dinner until 10pm.  While the American system was more fun and I had much more freedom in my school day, I found that I was not held to the same academic standards in the US that I was in Kenya.

Community and volunteerism was one of the biggest impacts of my experience. Community service was what I enjoyed most and I earned a lot of volunteer hours working for the Salvation Army, in a nursing home, a cancer center, babysitting and tutoring my classmates in math.

Coming to America was the very first time I was away from my family for so long a period of time and the fact that I was not able to see them for almost a year made me really sad. I missed everything to do with my family including the food. There were no  Kenyan restaurants in Montgomery and I have especially missed chapatti (Kenyan bread) and tea made in the Kenyan way with milk and spices.

I will return home to Kenya next week and will always remember all the people that were so kind to me this year. I have made many friends. These people have turned out to be my American family and I will miss them all.  If a miracle occurs and I am able to gain entry to an American university with a scholarship, I will be back.

Update

It's been awhile since I've posted.... We have settled into a routine and things don't seem so unique or new any longer- which is exactly what we had planned/hoped for. The kids love coming to the house (and we love having them!), consider it their home and even call Mama Mwangi their Mum/Mom. The first day when I pick them up from school they are eagerly waiting for me at the gate with great big smiles. We spend the days playing, working in the shamba, doing lots of cooking, making trips to the dentist/doctors and shopping. The last day of their stay before going back to school is always a very sad day for everyone and those smiles suddenly disappear:(

Washing up after being in the shamba.

Callie and I in front of the shamba.

 Although most things now seem routine, we still face challenges. Unfortunately, this term we had challenges with the academic performance of some of our secondary (high school) students were on academic probation- meaning after a few consecutive terms of poor performance they can loose their sponsorships. So we had many discussions, mentoring sessions, trips to the school meeting with the dean and teachers. Despite everyone's efforts, two of our our students lost their sponsorships and won't be returning to secondary school. This is difficult to deal with but only fair. In Kenya secondary education is not a requirement but a privilege. There are so many students needing sponsors that it isn't right to continue sponsoring students who don't perform (maintaining a D or below). However, it feels like a bit of tough love.... and then it brings up the issue of what next?? These kids don't have homes or family to care for them- so what happens when not in school? Well we had many discussions with the students and have decided the best thing for them is to attend a trade school where they can learn a skill- carpentry, mechanics or electrician. So our students are getting ready to start their classes and we are praying for the best!

Family lunch.

Some of our high school students at the two week GoBe leadership camp.

Ian's favorite toy- he has put miles on that ring!

Martin squeezing through the fence gate- easier than opening the gate!

Planting flowers

Our sheep

Sorting bean for lunch.

Plucking maize/corn off the husk for dinner.

Always lots of love!

View from house.

Yoga with the Kids

My friend Callie, who was in the Peace Corps with me, and her brother Dane spent a FUN filled week with the kids and I. What a week it was! These two are sooo full of ENERGY!!! They are both yoga teachers and taught the kids and I yoga every day. The kids had an amazing week and loved the yoga! We would find the kids striking yoga poses even during free time in the evening. And since Callie and Dane left we continue doing yoga every morning with the kids instructing themselves. I asked Ian this morning what his favorite yoga pose is and he exclaimed "Hello Sun!!"

Here are some pics of our yoga classes:

Tree Pose

Aerial Yoga

Low table pose

Their personalities exactly! Martin- very serious, Ian always smiling and loving people:)

 

 

Roaring like a lion- stretching the mouth muscles!

Thanks Callie and Dane!! We LOVED having you here!

Follow Callie and her adventures around the world lovelaughletgo.com

Callie's yoga videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3b1fchpNt8

They're Back!

The kids are finally on school break and back at the house! When I went to pick the younger kids up from St. Gerald they were waiting at the gate with huge smiling faces:) We went from quiet and boring to a house full of laughting, singing and dancing!!

Our Girls

The kids are on break for a month and we have so much going on this month! We have been celebrating Easter all week and will continue through Monday. This includes attending the masses for Holy Week and having a nice feast on Easter. Even on Monday we continue celebrating.

Lunch

Lunch- Mukimu (mashed potatoes, corn, bean and greens) and lentil stew. All from our garden except the lentils.

Posing for pics at the Post Office

 

 Also, 2 of my friends (Callie Sorensen and Jonny Finity) that were in Peace Corps with me back in 2005-2007 are currently in Kenya! Callie and her brother Dane teach yoga and are spending a week with the kids and I at the house. Jonny is the director of GoBe Foundation and 7 of our high school students are attending his 2 week camp. My next blog posts will feature Callie with lots of pics of our kids enjoying yoga and Jonny!

Karanja and Martin

Midterm Break

We had the high school boys over their midterm break. Finally we have the dining table and chairs so all 12 of us were able to fit comfortably at 1 table!!

A Post from My Mom

"An amazing visit/trip to Kenya!! We are so thankful that we were able to visit "Sheila's other world", see her house, and meet "her kids" and many other wonderful people. It didn't take long to see why she wants to be there. The people are amazing and she, herself, and with help from others, is making a difference in many lives!! She is definitely appreciated and respected by everyone that we met. The safari was also great!! Must admit, it was nice returning home and having hot water, refrigeration, and better roads!"

"Sheila and I peeling potatoes for luncheon"

 

"Sheila's chicken house"

"Potatoes cooking on charcoal burner"

"Sheila's house"

"Sheila and the small boys"

"Sheila and Mama Mwangi"

"Mamas cooking in outside kitchen"

"Main road off Sheila's drive"

"Sheila's garden (shamba)"

 

"One view from Sheila's"

"Wash clothes like this at home- SURE!!"

 

"St. Gerald's"

"St. Gerald's shamba and view"

 

"Charlie at St. Gerald's"

"Classroom at St. Gerald"