70. WOW! We have welcomed student #70 into the KKEF family, and our gratitude to God, and to all of YOU, continues!
I had the great blessing of traveling to Tanzania again in April, over the Easter holiday. I love going at this time of year, because the schools are closed from Good Friday (the Friday prior to Easter) through the entire following week, in most cases. This affords me the opportunity to check in on a few of the families. I was only there five nights on this trip and I made the most of it!
Tourism continues to lag. Where most of our porter friends were used to going on the mountain ten, twelve, or more times a year prior to 2020, most are lucky to go three or four times now. Imagine for a moment: your annual income being reduced by 60 to 75%. There isn’t a McDonald’s you can go work at, and there is no unemployment to file for. How radically would your life change?
Yet, here’s what I know to be true about the amazing people of Tanzania. They are above all GRATEFUL for what little they DO have, and quick to offer to share it. They lean into their faith with a conviction that’s unmatched. They are resourceful beyond imagination.
On Easter Sunday, I was fortunate to visit three of our families. The older children of some remained at school because their parents couldn’t afford to bring them home for the holiday. We presented fresh chicken, kilos of rice, and liters of cooking oil. We hugged, laughed, and talked about the future.
These parents tell me over and over, that because of the Foundation, their children will break through this season of lack and grow to have meaningful work. I know, and I’m sure you do too, that children who are given a strong education are empowered to love the world and to make it better.
We’ll be paying school fees for next year’s enrollment in September this year. The national presidential election in October will create additional bottlenecks and we don’t want our families to have added anxiety. So please, get your friends involved and have them sponsor or even make one-time donations this summer!
Who’s Next?
If you haven’t yet sponsored and would like to, or you are a sponsor and want to give an extra one-time contribution, please visit the How You Can Help page and donate today! Our students, who range in age from 4 to 19, are so grateful for having their education secured, and removing a huge burden from their family’s daily concerns.
$900 per year, just $75/month, covers not only the enrollment for the year, but also health insurance, school supplies, uniforms, books, transportation to and from school, and two meals each school day. If you want to help, but don’t feel that amount is achievable right now, we’ve ADDED OPTIONS for partial sponsorships for as little as $25 per month. And we continue to welcome one-time donations in ANY amount, as they contribute to the whole of what we do.
Please be sure to Like us on Facebook, invite your friends, and encourage them to sign up for the newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of our home page to subscribing!