How it began
In November 2005 I was lucky enough to travel to Kenya. As part of my stay I was invited to visit a local orphanage run by Samwel Manda.
Samwel Manda is a truly remarkable man. He started caring for others children over ten years ago and now he dedicates his life to his family and the "New Light Orphanage" that houses just over thirty children ages 5-15 years.
When visiting the orphanage I was overwhelmed with the care and happiness that surround the place and Samwel explained what the needs where for the Orphanage and why some of the children were there. After hearing some of the stories I knew that I wanted to help Samwel as much as I possibly could.
In the past we have raised funds for the orphanage through various activities and Samwel has been delighted with the help. Over the past two years Samwel and I have built up a strong relationship that is based on trust, respect and a similar vision on education and health.
In October 07 Samwel asked me to help him on a new venture. He has identified over thirty children in the Mombasa area that are in need of an education and can't afford school fees. He set me the challenge of raising enough funds so that he can open a school for these children. The aim is to give them a better start in life through gaining an education and therefore becoming self sufficient in later life.
It has taken us around 7 months to raise enough money to open the school and we are happy to announce the opening of the new school.
The school presently teaches twelve children. We will continue with our fundraising events so that we can open a second classroom for another further twelve children.
Please visit our "Events" or "How you can help" pages to see how you could support our fundraising that will enable Kenyan Children the right to a vital education.
If you wish to make a cash donation cheques can be written out to the "Kenyan School Fund" please e-mail mail@kenyanschoolfund.org
Many thanks
Sophie Hendin
