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Education and Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) The program “Keeping Hope Alive”, also known as the "Naisula Education Program", began as a personal quest by G.R.A.C.E. founder, Natasha Martin, to support the education of 200 orphans in the Butula district (near Busia) of Kenya. Until recently, primary education in Kenya was not subsidized by the government, and even today, expenses such as books, supplies, uniforms, travel to and from school are not covered. In addition, high school education, normally a boarding school costing $500-$600 per year in fees and supplies, is not paid for by the government.
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Kindergarten students at Mama Darlene's in Tala | | | |
| | An orphan living alone or with guardians in abject poverty has little to no hope of obtaining an education. But since 2000, these 200 orphans have been sent to 14 elementary schools at a cost of US$35-40/year/child. In 2002, the unimaginable progression of sending the first six of these students to high school was celebrated with villagers. This good news was accompanied by a greater than ten-fold increase in costs. We will continue to face dramatic increases in funds required to put older children through high school, and for those with the desire and ability, through university. In 2003, we successfully raised funds to send 34 orphans to high school and the rest to elementary school or to vocational training. Our goal here is not so much to send the children to high school as it is to enable each of those 200 young people to become a self-supporting, contributing member of the community, whatever form that may take.
Natasha Martin at the Kibera orphan program teaching sewing skills to young women for income generation. | | | |
Contribute to Orphan Education "Do not be daunted by the enormity of this world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it." - from the Talmud 100% of your donation to GRACE's "Keeping Hope Alive" program goes directly to support orphaned and vulnerable children who are deeply indebted to your support of their education. | |  | | | |
For the year 2008, GRACE's estimated orphan support costs are:
| | | | * University and college fees, books, lodgings (45 students @ $4,000/yr) | | US$ 180,000 | Secondary school fees, books, supplies, pocket money,
transport (102 students @$725/yr) | | US$ 73,950 | | Primary school (53 students) | | US$ 1,000 |
| | | GRAND TOTAL | | US$ 254,950 |
* In Jan. 2008, we hope to send 2 students to college, 24 students to
university; in Sept. 2008, we hope to send an additional 19 students.
However, these plans are contingent on funding from generous donors.
Donate Now or send your tax-exempt donations and/or questions regarding this program to: G.R.A.C.E. USA "Keeping Hope Alive" P.O. Box 185 Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 USA Phone: (650) 712-0561 Email: nlmartin(enter at sign)graceusa(dot)org All donations will be acknowledged by G.R.A.C.E. USA, a 501 (c)(3), non-profit organization. Read the letters from our orphans and from
Mary Makhohka who relates the success of this program. |
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Orphans 