ENABLING STUDENTS FROM LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN KENYA TO STAY IN SCHOOL BY PROVIDING EDUCATION SUPPORT
The Johnston and Florah Ashene Foundation provides education support in the form of school fees payment for students from low-income households (living on $3 a day or less). We liaise with churches and other Non Profits in Kenya to help identify eligible students from households living in poverty.
“MY FIRST YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS CHARACTERIZED BY
MORE OF STAYING AT HOME THAN AT SCHOOL”.
Most schools in Kenya require payment of fees. Students unable to pay these fees are usually sent home until their balance is paid up. This interferes with their studies and also results in low self-esteem. Many give up altogether and drop out of school early. At best they end up as manual laborers with inconsistent and low income, (typically less than $3 a day) thus continuing the cycle of poverty. Our mission is to help break this cycle by paying required school fees to keep students in school.
Catherine Odo grew up as an orphan in the slums of Korogocho Nairobi, with little hope that her life would amount to much. However, with the support of this foundation, she was able to finish High School, college and now has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Her journey shows that education support does change lives for the better. She is currently an ECD (Early Childhood Development) and Special Needs Education teacher whilst also working on a Diploma in Special Education. You can read her testimonial here.
Catherine's Story
“GROWING UP IN THE SLUMS OF KOROGOCHO, THE EXPECTATION THAT I WOULD END UP A ‘COMPLETE WASTE’ WAS HIGH”
A reflection on my life and present career advancement culminate on one thing; the beauty of humanity! Among the myriad things that would spell despair in my life as I grew up, there is the unmerited support that I always got through my education life, which always gave me the strength to push on. Growing up in the slums of Korogocho in Kenya, a complete Orphan, the expectation that I would end up a ‘complete waste’ was at a seemingly irredeemable high. This reality first hit me when I completed my primary school education but could not join High school because of lack of 100 Kenya shillings ($0.80) required to facilitate a pregnancy test, which was part of the necessary evaluations needed by the school at the point of admission. While I did ultimately manage to have this fee waived, my first year in High school was mostly characterized by more of staying at home than at school.
Meeting the Flora and Johnston Ashene foundation through the school’s sponsorship program was, therefore, a breath of life in the most literal sense. The beauty of the support they gave me was not only limited to paying the school fee, but the provision of access to basic needs. Through this support, I came to experience what normal childhood feels like. In fact, I would confidently acknowledge that this support assured me life away from the degrading activities I have had to see my peers engage in just to survive the unforgiving hardships of the slums.
While sponsorship through high school was the planting of a much needed hope in a child who would otherwise be void of humanity, it was the effort to seek me out after high school, and assist even further, that best shaped my concept of humanity. The foundation sought to connect with me after high school, ensuring that I went through college for TWO diplomas (a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Diploma in Special Needs Education). By fully committing to fund this and ensuring that I had access to all the needs to keep me in school, the Foundation has not only empowered me career-wise, but also seen to the shaping of a human being that will seek out to always support the growth of another individual! My education life and the support I have received through it is a testament of what an effort to assist the next person whole heartedly can do. My strong desire to pass it on to the next person is an illustration of the much that can be achieved through the kindness of lifting a child and giving them hope!
16 STUDENTS SUPPORTED IN 2024
“MAMA, HOW IS IT THAT THESE DAYS WE ARE NOT SENT AWAY FROM SCHOOL FOR UNPAID FEES?”
For 11 year old Centrine, being sent away from school for lack of fee payment was already a normal part of her young life. When the Foundation came alongside her mother to help pay Centrine’s school fees, it seemed ‘abnormal’ to her that she could go through school without the interruption of being sent away due to unpaid fees. It brings us much joy to be able to ensure going to school without interruption will become Centrine’s new normal. #whywedowhatwedo 🙂
This year we have 17 students at different levels of education in various parts of Kenya.
- Tertiary level training - Two students
- High School (Grade 9-12) - Seven students
- Middle School (Grade 6 to 8) - Three students
- Elementary (Grade 1 to 5) - Four students
- Kindergarten - One student
All of these students come from very low income households that struggle to meet basic needs like food. You can read more about each student HERE.
The number of students that have come to the Foundation for education support has increased from 8 last year to 17 this year, stretching to the max the resources we have set aside for our mission of helping families break out of poverty. We invite you to partner with us so that we can continue to make a difference and foster hope in many more students that are struggling to meet the cost of education.
No gift / donation is too small! There is a Swahili Proverb that says “kidogo kidogo hujaza kibaba”. Loosely translated to mean, “ a little by little pulled together makes a big difference”.
100% of the donations go towards payment of school fees. All administration costs are covered by the foundation.
