Imagine if you were a teacher in a Kenyan community with no school, watching as children were forced to walk multiple kilometres each day (often crossing dangerous rivers and roads), while orphaned children are left behind, unable to access even the cheapest of schooling options. This is a daily reality for Laboso Wambogo, founder of the Laboso Caring Society Foundation, with whom I have developed a strong relationship over the past 12 months through my research into regenerative finance and development. Laboso is currently facing a tough situation in his community in Homa Bay, where 60 children (47 girls and 13 boys – mostly orphans) have just completed primary school but do not have the funds to attend secondary school. This situation is not unusual, but given recent changes to the Kenyan national curriculum (with this being the final year phasing out the old system), if these children do not enrol in secondary school in January 2024, they will not easily be able to pick up their studies in future as the entire schooling system will have changed. To complicate matters further, there are no secondary schools in Homa Bay, so these children will need to either travel long distances daily (meaning they can’t work to pay their way) or they will have to board (which comes at an additional cost they simply can’t afford). This Scholarship Fund has been set up to support these 60 children to enrol in secondary school in January 2024, before the national curriculum changes and that pathway disappears. If you are willing to sponsor one or more of these children directly (even if just for the first year to ensure they make the transition) your contribution would be greatly appreciated. Costs for the year are here below: - $280 covers full education costs (including tuition, uniform, learning materials etc) - $145 covers tuition only - $75 provides half-bursary (which the community may be able to supplement) In Kenya, the most vulnerable victims of poverty, disease and other social challenges are the children. Laboso has pulled together this simple presentation to provide an insight into the specific realities the children in his village in Homa Bay are facing. I currently sponsor two orphan girls in Laboso’s community who had seen their studies compromised due to sexual assault, youth pregnancy and family trauma, and have seen them overcome multiple challenges to successfully recommence their secondary studies. Laboso has supported these children through every step of the process and documented every expense, every exam, and every report card. He is a well-respected leader in the community and cares deeply for the children in his village - and this shows in the diligence of his interactions with the children and with international donors. They have a saying in Kenya: “little drops of water make a mighty ocean”. Any contribution you can provide will have a huge impact. Donations of any value are warmly welcome and will be consolidated to provide bursaries, learning materials and school supplies for children in the community that are most in need. If you have any questions at all regarding this campaign please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at kate@ktlbennett.co. Also, if you would like to sponsor more than one child and would prefer paying via direct bank transfer (or if you would feel more comfortable making the contribution to Laboso directly) that can be arranged. Just send me an email or call me on +61457078101 to discuss. Thank you so much for your support with this campaign - even if it's just in forwarding this link to your networks, that in itself is a huge help!!