Celebrating Opportunities

Ben and John (names changed for privacy reasons) grew up in Ukambani, a dry drought prone part of Kenya. They lived with their father, mother and two younger siblings. Though they were poor, they managed to get by with their small farm until their father fell ill, could no longer work , and eventually died.

By this time John had complete primary education, which is free in Kenya. There was no money for secondary school fees so John travelled the 100 km to Nairobi. There he lived on the streets doing small jobs like cutting grass and collecting scrap metal. Life on the streets was miserable and dangerous – John does not like to talk about it.

After about six months of such terror, John heard about a place called Emmanuel Center, where street kids had a place to live and a chance to go to school. After a bit of searching he found the centre and presented himself at the gate, asking for help. He was admitted and enrolled in secondary school.

The following year Ben finished primary school and also made the long trek to Nairobi in search of work. When he arrived he looked for his brother on the streets and so too learned about Emmanuel Centre. Though the centre was nearly full, space was made for him and he too enrolled in Secondary School.

Both boys did well in their studies in different ways. John was a social student (sometimes a bit too social perhaps) but worked hard. Ben was much more quiet and studious. When John graduated in 2007 he was supported by a generous donor and enrolled in a catering and hospitality diploma, which he finished in 2010. He is now working at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi.

By the time Ben graduate in 2008, their mother had fallen ill and was unable to take care of herself or their younger siblings. Ben travelled back to Ukambani, where he enrolled her in an HIV/AIDS treatment program. He got a temporary job as a teacher in a rural school. The salary of approximately $35/month helped him support his family, but he desperately wanted to continue his own studies.

In early 2011, a qualified teacher was hired for his position and he lost his job. Luckily, the HIV/AIDS treatment had greatly improved his mother’s health and she was able to take care of his siblings and the farm. John was sending money home for his job at the Hilton.

Ben seized the opportunity and travelled back to Nairobi were he began researching academic programs. He decided he would like to complete a Diploma Business Information Technology at the Presbyterian University of East Africa.

Which brings me to the present day and point of this story . . . . to celebrate my Birthday, and all the amazing opportunities and learning experiences I have had over the last 30 years, I’m trying to raise the $1250 needed to cover Ben’s first term of university.

If you would like to help me meet this goal you can either donate online via the Squamish Rotary Club (write in the note section that the money is for EBRC university fees) or contract me to get bank account/mailing details.

THANK YOU!