This month is the 10 year anniversary of my arrival in Endarasha, Kenya! When I arrived, my thoughts were simple, "How can I help this community over the next two years?". I never imagined the people would steal my heart, significantly impact the course of my life and I would be committed to Endarasha for life! Many members of the community have become life long friends, altered my view of what a "normal" life is, taught me about courage, how to laugh and enjoy life even without electricity, running water, sugar, soda, electronics, vehicles etc.
So much has happened with the students I have had the honor of meeting over the past 10 years. This month alone, we have two students graduating from university and one who has just completed the Kenyan Bar exam! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 10 years!
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Graduation! Dec. 18, 2015
Kimathi, Njoroge and Mama Mwangi
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Over the years, I have provided updates on a few of the students I met when I arrived in Endarasha. They are still part of our “family” and I am excited to share with you where they are now.
John Njoroge
One Sunday in December of 2005, I walked to St. Gerald Children's Center to spend the day with the kids. When I arrived, I only found one boy, Njoroge. I sat down to chat with him and he told me everyone had left for church. I asked him why he wasn't in church with them.
His solemn response, "because I don't have shoes".
We continued talking and it was clear he was a very bright kid. He told me he had just finished standard 8 (8th grade) and was hoping to attend high school, but wasn't sure if the Children's Center had money to pay his tuition. (In Kenya, high school is not free.) I knew then he belonged in school. I made a commitment to make sure he had funds to complete high school. Four years later, he graduated at the top of his class of nearly 200 students and qualified for university. This Saturday, Dec 18, 2015, Njoroge will graduate with honors from the Technical University of Kenya with a degree in Business Information Technology!! He owns his own IT company. If you need website or programming assistance you can contact him at njorogeek92@gmail.com, he accepts payment via paypal.
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2005- Our first Christmas! Njoroge bottom left,
Karanja being held in the back, Peter in blue shirt in front. |
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| 2007 John Njoroge in maroon blazer |
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| 2015 Njoroge |
Ann
I met Ann when she was in 8th grade at St. Gerald. She was extremely hard working, polite and responsible. Ann was always at the top of her class and we sponsored her for high school. After high school, she went on to college and is now finishing the last sections of her Certified Public Accounting exam!
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| 2006 Ann standing behind Karanja |
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| 2015 Ann and Kelsie |
Kimathi
Kimathi has always been a dear friend and I so clearly remember the day I told him he had a sponsor who wanted to pay for him to attend college! He is so intellectual, follows US politics closer than 90% of Americans and is always up for a fun debate. Kimathi finished the Kenyan Bar Exam last week!!
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| 2006 Sheila and Kimathi registering for school |
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| 2007 Kimathi and Karanja |
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| 2015 Kimathi |
Peter
Peter arrived at St. Gerald the same month as I did in December of 2005. He was in second grade. We currently sponsor him for high school where he is starting his 3rd (junior) year. He could use special prayers for improved academic performance as he is finding high school quite challenging. He would like to complete with a B average so that he can apply to the seminary to become a priest.
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| Christmas 2005- Peter on the left |
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| 2007 Peter (light green uniform) |
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2015 Karanja (front left), Peter (behind Karanja),
Mama Mwangi (maroon shirt), Kelsie and Sheila |
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| 2015 Peter (2nd from right) |
Karanja
Many of you know our sweet boy, Karanja:) Karanja also came to St. Gerald in December 2005 at the tender age of 4. At that time, he was unable to walk or talk. Karanja is now a strong, healthy teenager. He is super laid back and is always found with a smile on his face. Despite being so gentle and passive, he is a protector and has been known to standup for friends/loved ones (even if it meant a school yard brawl). Karanja wants to be an ambulance driver. This is the kid that makes a soul know that everyone is connected and we are all meant to help each other regardless of race, gender, religion or distance.
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| 2007 Karanja and Sheila |
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| 2006 Sheila, Karanja. Mama Mwangi to right. |
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| 2006 Sheila, Karanja and friends |
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2006 Karaja, Mbogo and Njuguna (we sponsor all 3 of them).
Mbogo and Njuguna are starting their 2nd year of high school. |
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| 2008 Sheila and Karanja |
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| 2015 Martin, Ian and Karanja (far right) |
Famous author/speaker and orphan, Dr. Wayne Dyer, shared a story/joke about himself that applies so well to our students:
Before I came into this world God asked, "What do you want to do in this lifetime?" and I said, "I'd like to teach others about self-reliance." Then God said, "You want to learn self reliance? Then we better get your little a** into an orphanage. There is no better place to learn self reliance than an orphanage!"
This is spot on with each of these students I've featured above. They have mastered self-reliance. Although school fees were paid, the things they have had to endure on their own are beyond imagination. Yet, they have embraced their situation and have excelled. I am extremely proud of each of them and can't wait to see how they continue to flourish in their lives.
We do have students who are planning to start high school in January who are in need of sponsors. The cost is $600/year to send a student to high school. If you are interested please email kenyaamini@gmail.com for more information. Assistance to these kids would be much appreciated and donations can be made via check to the address below, paypal or credit card.
I want to thank each person who has helped us in our journey to ensure these students receive love, education and basic needs. They say it takes a village to raise a child but for our Kenyan "family" it has taken a world-wide community!
Kenya Amini
301 Murphy Dr.
Pacific, MO 63069 USA
Kenya Amini is a 501c3 tax deductible organization.
