Imagine a world where an eighth-grader has to raise tuition for high school and where her parents have to choose between her and her brother for who will get a secondary education.
This scenario is the reality for a large number of children in Kenya. Many students cannot go to school in most parts of Africa because of a fee structure that exists. Unlike countries in the West, in Kenya, public high school education is not free. To continue past eighth grade, students must pay school fees every year until they graduate. As a result, under-resourced families end up stuck in a cycle of poverty.
The Deborah Amoi Foundation (DAF) has been a beacon of hope for some students.
Since 2009, the nonprofit has been sponsoring students who cannot afford education by paying their school fees. With help from individual donors in the United States, DAF has provided over 160 students with access to education. Dreams that shattered because of the lack of school fees have now found new life. The nonprofit not only offers support by paying fees but also provides a conducive environment for students in their homes by building or improving housing for some students and providing food, clothing, and mentorship for others.
Former students who are now alumni have excelled in various careers, becoming doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and journalists, to name a few. Their families now have educated income earners to help support them. Several students are pursuing STEM fields.
Margaret is one of these DAF beneficiaries and had this to say, “DAF has brought me from far. I don’t know how life would be today without DAF supporting me. DAF has been my stronghold throughout my secondary education and even now. With great support from DAF, now I’m at University pursuing a Bachelor of Business and Information Technology.”
DAF founder Anne Lwenya says she first thought of the idea for the nonprofit when she traveled from the USA back to Western Kenya and saw the stark need. The organization was founded over a decade ago and has been one of the biggest education sponsors in Vihiga County, Kenya.
Sibya is currently working as a nurse and remarked, “I am grateful for being a DAF beneficiary. This foundation has made a great impact on my education. After primary school education, I had given up on continuing with high school since I came from a humble background and my parents couldn’t afford to pay for my school fees. Fortunately, DAF came to my rescue by sponsoring me with a high school education and enabling me to get the best education I had wished for. This has also helped me achieve my dream profession of being a nurse.”
Currently, 41 students sponsored by DAF are enrolled in high school despite COVID’s financial constraints on fundraising.
The US-based Deborah Amoi Foundation is a 501(c)3 and has helped many students realize their dreams, and plans to help lift even more needy children out of poverty through education.
To learn more about The Deborah Amoi Foundation, visit dafinternational.org.
Media ContactCompany Name: The Deborah Amoi FoundationContact Person: Beverly LwenyaEmail: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://dafinternational.org/
