Fund 46 orphaned Kenyan children to stay in school

Thank you so much for your support of this project. Here is the latest update from our Administration Manager, Damaris Cheokemboi Ngelelei in Kenya.

“In December 2024, I had the chance to sit down with the families impacted by the June 2023 accident. It was a moment to check in, hear their stories, and understand what each child needs as they prepare for the new school year starting in January 2025. These conversations were both heartbreaking and inspiring—heartbreaking because of the struggles these families have faced, yet inspiring because of their resilience and determination to keep their children in school against all odds.

Right now, we are supporting learners across various levels of the Kenyan education system—from lower and upper primary pupils, to junior secondary students adjusting to the new curriculum, and those in secondary school still following the outgoing system. Some of the older students completed secondary school last year, and while that’s a huge achievement, it also brings new questions as they navigate what comes next.

Kenya is currently undergoing a shift from the traditional 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Under the 8-4-4 system, learners spend 8 years in primary school, 4 years in secondary school, and a minimum of 4 years in university. The new CBC structure is a 2-6-6-3 model: 2 years of pre-primary, 6 years of primary, 3 years of junior secondary + 3 years of senior secondary, and a minimum of 3 years in tertiary education. The CBC places more focus on practical skills, learner abilities, and continuous assessment, and is being rolled out gradually across the country.

As of now, the children we support in junior secondary (Grades 7–9) are learning under the CBC, while those in secondary school (Forms 1–4) are still following the 8-4-4 curriculum. The first cohort expected to join senior secondary under CBC will transition in 2026.

For 2025, a total of 29 students have been confirmed for support across Primary (13), Junior Secondary School (9), and Secondary (7) public schools. In addition we will be supporting 8 to pursue third level qualifications.

Circumstances for each family are different, some have very young children and prefer to wait til they are of age for primary school and some have older children who are at the other end of the system and unsure if they want to return to full time education or go in the direction of skills based training.  

What’s clear is that this support isn’t just about covering school fees—it’s about giving these children stability, hope, and a future. Because of this bursary, they can focus on learning instead of worrying about being sent home due to unpaid fees or missing class because they lack the basics.

Your generosity is making this possible. With your help, these children—who have already endured so much—can walk into their classrooms ready to learn, just like any other child.

Thank you for standing with them".

 To safeguard and protect the children’s privacy, their identities will remain anonymous.  The photographs in this report are from our schools education programmes in Kenya.

Thank you so much for your support of this project and here is an update on plans for the coming months from our Administration Manager, Damaris Cheokemboi Ngelelei, in Kenya.

In December, we’ll be meeting with the families impacted by last year’s accident to get a clear understanding of what each student needs as they prepare for the new academic year starting in January 2025. These meetings will give us a chance to talk about the students’ progress, understand the challenges they’ve been facing, and gather updated information to make sure the bursary funds are directed where they’ll make the most impact.

One of the main goals of these meetings is to check in on each child’s current academic situation—how they’re managing in school, any specific struggles, and what essentials they might be missing, like uniforms, books, or other supplies. This will help us focus on immediate needs and give each child the resources they need to succeed.

We’ll also be discussing how families have been managing their children’s education expenses this past year without financial support. We know many families have had to make big sacrifices, and some may have even needed loans or community assistance to keep up with costs. Understanding how they’ve managed so far will help us figure out how best to support them moving forward.

An important part of these conversations will be confirming that all the children are still in school, attending regularly, and have what they need to keep going next term. We’ll check for any issues that may have interrupted their attendance and make sure the bursary support can address these issues so the kids don’t fall behind or risk dropping out.

Since the new school year begins in January 2025, we’re also gathering the most recent fee structures and any additional costs families are expecting, like for extracurricular activities or transportation. This will help us build an accurate budget to cover essential school expenses and ensure all students have what they need for the upcoming year.

Finally, we want to understand the specific challenges that families face when it comes to schooling costs. Common issues include school fees, the cost of replacing uniforms and supplies, and the need for sanitary products for girls, which can affect their attendance. For families in remote areas, transport costs are also a concern. Knowing the full picture will allow us to prioritize where the bursary funds can make the biggest difference.

Your support is ensuring that the children impacted by the accident last year will have same access to education and a secure future as the children in these photographs taken over recent months at local schools. 

Asante Sana.