Firstly I would like to thank you all so much for your support and encouragement even at the outset of this contest. I recently set up my Facebook page for my campaign and I am very thankful for the support you have shown me, because of you we have garnered over 270 likes! Thank you again, let's keep sharing and keep the momentum going to see us through till June. If you haven't already had a chance to view my page please follow the link below, I will be posting regularly via the page
https://www.facebook.com/laviniah.faceofkenyauk
I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful social platform of Face of Kenya UK 2014 and to support my charity of choice-Project 1917.
PROJECT1917 is a charity that supports orphaned children to continue with their secondary education. It provides bursaries for children in Kenya so that they may obtain the knowledge and skills needed for a worthwhile employment and escape the poverty trap and fulfil their potential in life. We support orphans in Kenya regardless of their gender, religious, political and ethnic background or affiliation.
In March 2009, project1917 began and was born supporting just 2 orphans going through secondary school. So far 114 children have received either a one-time bursary or a full bursary through the four year pilot projects.
As secondary education is not free in Kenya, PROJECT1917 plays a crucial role in ensuring that these orphaned children who would otherwise have no means to be able to continue their secondary education, are enabled to study and complete their education.
Year 2012 was especially a celebration year for PROJECT1917 as the first orphans sponsored completed their secondary education and sat for their KCSE (O level) exams. Now they can focus on making their selection for which college to attend, a far cry from where they would be had they not had the opportunity to complete their secondary education through the bursary program accessible through the charity.
In particular, one of the many success stories to emerge from this charity initiative is the compelling story of Selpha, an orphan from Western Kenya who had travelled to Ruiru with a relative after her parents had passed away. This devastating tragedy was made known to the charity in March 2009; although she had completed her primary education she was now facing the possibility of not having the adequate funds or support to continue her secondary education. By the time all the checks were completed and her case confirmed, it was April and she had missed the first term of form one. But with the determination, drive and support of Project1917, she was able to be admitted to Ruiru Star High School where she studied for two years and was later transferred to Lumdiak High School in Nakuru, a government provincial graded school. With the charity’s involvement at this crucial time in Selpha’s life not only was she able to find guidance and support , fundamentally her formal education was not disrupted enabling her to have better future prospects and ensuring that she is not defined by her misfortune. Selpha is among the first orphans to go through the four year pilot programme that has been made available to many orphaned children through PROJECT1917.
PROJECT1917 is changing and shaping the lives of orphaned children across Kenya, an essential worthy cause that I am proud to represent and support through this platform. My goal is to highlight the plight of orphaned children in Kenya and the incomparable differences education makes in providing a better future for these children. The values and ideals of this charity resonate with me, compelling me to support this charity and highlight the need to bring change.
http://project1917.org/