Hope for Tomorrow

From Twinklelittlestars

2008 started on a very high gear for us since we still had the momentum that we gained from our recent trip to Kenya. During our visit to Matetani village schools we knew that we needed to do something; to improve the learning experience of the kids. The feed back from the kids, their parents and teachers was very compelling for us and after seeing the current learning situation we sensed the urgency of introducing modern technology to the kids of rural Kenya. They have a hunger for knowledge but the resources are very limited if any. After a successful camera project through which they shared their stories with the world out here, we are excited to see how much more they would learn and do with computer skills as an added learning module.

This year we are raising funds for three major projects; Computers, Food and School uniform. Our fund raising goal is estimated at $38,035.75 to cover computers, school uniform and feeding program for the year 2008. We need to buy one hundred (100) laptop computers which will be distributed to five different schools in rural Eastern Kenya. We have identified laptops that are designed for kids in the developing world which are loaded with learning lots software and ready to go! They have software for Math, English, Science, Art, Music etc. This technology will open up the world for these young children and give them an opportunity to be on the same learning platform with kids in developed countries.

$350 covers the price of a computer, shipping to Kenya and training for the teachers who will be training the kids. You can sponsor one package or partner with someone to sponsor 1-100 laptops. We are also raising funds to provide food for the kids as many often miss school due to lack of food. For as little as $165 we can feed a school for one term (Trimester); ensuring that kids stay in school and learn. Most of the schools have about 500 children and more than 50% of them often go without food therefore rendering learning very difficult for them.

The cost for school uniform is about $16.50 which includes a shirt and pair of shorts or a dress and blouse for girls. The cost has slightly gone up due to the cost of transportation and raw material which have increased since last year's presidential elections in Kenya which led to countrywide scores of deadly violence.