25 October 2016

Visiting Jeremy and Robai at their schools (near Gilgil and Eldoret), October 2016

Linet and I made a day-trip from Nairobi to Gilgil to visit Jeremy at his school. He was happy to see us!

While parked at the stage, I watched this woman hire the motorbike taxi to take her home, along with her various pieces of luggage.

While waiting for our vehicle to fill up with passengers, one of the ladies from the nearby shops served me tea... inside the matatu!
I guess there's always a first time for anything in Kenya.

I also visited Robai in October. Her school is near the town of Eldoret.

On this visit I finally got to meet Mr. Agallo, one of her teachers.

08 August 2016

Naomi and three of my grand-children got to meet Robai, Deb, Pope, Duane, and Zach!

Everyone was happy to meet each other!

Robai gave them a tour of St. Catherine Girls' Secondary School.

At the lake near the school

Naomi, Aaliyah, Antonio, and Mia visited me during the month of July. We traveled upcountry to Eldoret, Matunda, and Kocholia so they met some of the children I sponsor in school.

We visited Deb at her school, Fountain Grammar.


Break-time from classes and end-of-the-term exams


Pope is now in Form Two at St. Stephens Kengatuny Secondary School.
Adu wasn't able to come home from school while we were there.

We had a nice visit with Agnes and her family.
Zach and Duane are seated on the bench.

“If we did all the things we were capable of, 
we would literally astound ourselves.”
     ~ Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931), American inventor

20 June 2016

Duane and Deb

It was hot, so Duane carried his sweater on his head instead of wearing it

While I visited with Agnes, Duane and Zach came home for lunch. Duane especially loves school and is doing well in Class Four. If he finds there's nothing ready to eat at home, he immediately goes back to school because doesn't want to miss anything!



I also visited Deb at her school, where she continues to do well in Class Six. I was at the school during the students' mid-morning porridge break. They also do a little running during the break, as you can see in this brief video. It helps keep them alert in the classroom.




I chatted with Maina, the school gatekeeper and all-around great guy

Transportation for one of the staff members

An extended visit with Robai

Some of Robai's classmates 

Kesses dam is near the school


By chance, I happened to visit St. Catherine's when they weren't having classes. Because that gave Robai and I an extended time to visit, she gave me a tour of the 30-acre school compound. Above are two of the gentlemen that take care of the cattle and kitchen 'shamba' (garden). Daniel (in the middle) is the farm manager and David (on the left) is one of the farmers.

A few of Robai's classmates at their desks

Madina is Robai's 'cube mate' in the dormitory

Purity is one of Robai's good friends

Mr. Too is one of the school's science teachers 

This Swahili proverb means, "What belongs to your parents is not yours."
(For instance, wealth, knowledge, etc.)

09 May 2016

Visits with Zach, Deb, Jeremy, and Derrick during their April school holiday

Zach, now in Class Two, wasn't feeling so well when I had breakfast with him and his mom
...but he did his best to smile for the photo

When I had lunch with Deb's family at Fafaral, I took two toy helicopters.
All the neighbor kids gathered around for the fun.
Deb was a master at shooting the helicopters into the air.

After Robai and I had lunch in Eldoret, I introduced her to GeoCaching.
In the process, she climbed a ladder for the first time in her life!

Jeremy and Derrick really enjoyed the Railway Museum in Nairobi.
The learned a lot about trains and about Kenya's history.

06 February 2016

Jeremy and Adu start secondary school!


Jeremy is very excited to start Form One, his freshman year! He and his mom, Linet, are ready to do the 'shopping' for the new year of school. It's a big change for him, as he'll be a boarding student for the first time.



Adu (Anderson) is also starting Form One this month. It was good to see him and his mom, Agnes, when we met for lunch recently.

14 January 2016

Deb starts Class 6 as a boarding student!

Nathan, Alice, Deb, and I visited the school in December
to make all the final arrangements.

Deb is eager to start school as a boarding student for the first time.

On a 'boda boda' (motorbike taxi),
heading to Matunda market to do some school shopping

Deb is being fitted for a new school uniform at a tailor's shop

Capping off the day with lunch!

Nathan, Alice, and I visited Deb a few days into January. She's doing well at school!

07 January 2016

Please help me provide an education for these young people

I've had the privilege of raising money for the education of fourteen young people in Kenya over the past several years. Six of them - Masudi, Collins, Rose, Sammy, Deng, and Mawien - have already finished high school. Masudi was also sponsored for a college course.


During the 2015 academic year, the four pictured above were all in high school - Tony, Derrick, Robai, and Popino. Tony has now completed his high school education!

Except for Popino, the other three are boarding students, which is the preferred way in Kenya. It costs an average of $700 for the first year as a boarder in secondary school. The remaining three years are a bit lower, averaging $600. This includes school fees, books, uniform, boarding costs, school trips, etc. Popino is a 'day scholar', so his expenses are lower - $300.


Additionally, there were four others who were in primary school in 2015 - Zach, Duane, Jeremy, and Anderson (pictured above). One year of primary school (as a non-boarder) averages $140.

Jeremy and Anderson have now completed their primary school education! They will enter secondary school in February 2016.

In January 2016 I started sponsoring 11-year old Deb.

She's the only daughter of my friends, Nathan and Alice. When she was born in February 2004, Nathan named her after me.

According to Kenya's culture, Deb's five brothers will have priority regarding school fees.

Because of this cultural tradition, it's highly possible that Deb wouldn't be able to continue attending primary school.

God has been faithful in the past to bring in the necessary funds. I believe he will continue to do so, through folks just like you.

100 years from now, it won’t matter what my bank account was, 
the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. 
But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. 
~ Forest E. Whitcraft

It's super simple and will last a lifetime! Just choose which of the options is best for you. You can rest assured knowing that 100% of your money will go directly to their education expenses.

1) $10 per month 

2) $20 per month

3) $30 monthly

4) $40 monthly

5) Make a one-time donation of any amount

6) If you prefer to send a check, indicate 'Educate A Child' and mail to:
Deb Smith
PO Box 34083
Omaha, NE 68134
Next in importance to freedom and justice is education, 
without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.
~ James A. Garfield

On behalf of Derrick, Robai, Popino, Anderson, Jeremy, Duane, Zach, and Deb thank you so much for your consideration and generosity!

-deb