Help Send Kenya's Youth to School!

Hello Everyone!

For those of you that do not know me, my name is Judi Stalter, I’m 27-years-old and I was born and raised in wonderful town of Fairbanks, Alaska. I’m a Monroe Catholic High School Alumni (’07), as well as a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa (’11). I’m also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer having served as a Community Health Volunteer for 2 years (’12-’14) in Rwanda. Furthermore, I’m currently traveling back and forth between America and Kenya undergoing a voluntary Fellowship with a remarkable organization called Hatua Likoni.

Hatua Likoni is a community NGO based in Mombasa, Kenya. They are working to provide school fees and mentoring to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds from the small town of Likoni. In Likoni, 45% of the residents are living below the poverty line and most families struggle to provide funds for their children to finish school. In Kenya, elementary education is free enabling most Kenyan children to finish elementary school. However, less than 1/2 of all children in Likoni make the transition to high school owing largely to the steep cost of school fees. The sad truth is that without scholarships, high school and advanced education is unattainable for the vast majority Likoni’s most promising students.

In order to help address these issues, Hatua Likoni sponsors 150 of Likoni’s youth (100 in high school students, 50 in college/University) by raising funds to pay for their school fees. This is a life changing opportunity for these students who would have not had the chance to complete or even attend high school. This November 2015, Hatua Likoni looks to extend their reach and help even more students complete their education. However, this can be challenging as additional funds are needed to sponsor more students…

I strongly believe that all children deserve the opportunity to finish their schooling and a lack of finances should never be the deciding factor deterring them from seeing their education through until the end. This is why I’m starting this fundraising campaign, “Help Send Kenya’s Youth to School” to help Hatua Likoni, an active, compassionate, trustworthy, and recognized NGO/Non-profit in Kenya, raise additional funds needed to pay for the school fees of students as they work hard to complete their education.

Every day I get the opportunity to know more about these promising Likoni students and the severe circumstances from which they're coming from. Their eagerness, motivation and dedication to attend and complete school is truly inspiring. It’s really eye opening to see how at such an early age these young men and women have such a deep understanding and appreciation for the importance of education in all that they do and wish to accomplish. They want to want to take hold of their futures, see change in their county, and further yet, they want to be active forces in that change. These young individuals understand the challenges of poverty and they know the importance of helping others because they’ve been helped during some of the most difficult and uncertain times of their young lives. Therefore, when they are able, they will be the ones “paying it forward” and making the positive changes and helping those in need throughout their promising country.

 I genuinely believe in this program’s mission and the way they operate for a number of reasons. The first being, is that they have the community’s encouragement and support. Secondly, all staff members are hard working, intelligent and compassionate individuals who are trying to make a difference in their community and they are truly changing lives. Thirdly, Hatua Likoni’s work encompasses a wide range of additional programs offered to their students such as mentoring, peer education, career guidance and running the thriving community library. Consequently, when students are able to finish school they can enter the workforce as well rounded, responsible and professional citizens; who can then contribute to and benefit from Kenya’s growing economy.

That being said, I would like to do all that I can to help support their mission. This is why I humbly ask that if you’re able and willing, please join me in choosing to support Hatua Likoni and the amazing work they are doing by offering a small donation to my fundraising campaign and sharing this message with a friend!

Thank you for your time, your thoughtfulness and your support. Feel free to contact me with any question you may have about the organization. You are also welcome to visit Hatua Likoni’s website: www.hatualikoni.org and visit/follow/LIKE us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hatua  to learn more about the organization and stay up to date on their activities!

All the best,

  Judi