July 2005

| slide show | Diary of the June 2005 visit |

Kenya has been close to our hearts for over 40 years, since we first lived in Kisii District as Peace Corps Volunteers. We have maintained close ties and in 2000 we returned for what was our twelfth time. As a result of that visit, we took on the responsibility of helping to build and support Sema Academy, an elementary school in the area where we had lived and worked. We hope you will join in that endeavor with us.

Education is the key -- to good health, to equality between the sexes, to a prosperous life, to social justice and personal freedom. But education isn't available to everyone, especially in a country such as Kenya in East Africa, where free education is a false promise.

Under the direction of Dr. Japheth and Hellen Maranga, Sema Academy is becoming a serious institution, providing education for nearly 400 children.

We have known the Marangas for over 30 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher and he chaired the early childhood education department at Moi University until his retirement.

The Kenya Fund of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island is now five years old and we are happy to tell you that the project has raised over $60,000. In June of 2005, we again visited Kenya and spent a few days at the school. Great progress has been made. The school building is complete with four wings and a central courtyard. Tuition for his entire school career has been guaranteed for one child and 60 children have received three-year scholarships supported by individual American donors. Scholastic Books sent reading materials for the school library and a pen pal program has been implemented with children in the US.

We have received grants from the Schulz Charitable Foundation, the Joe Weill Social Action Project of the Ethical Humanist Society of LI and the Returned Peace Corps Association of LI. The remainder of the money was raised from contributions of individuals ranging in amounts from $25 to $1,000.

In a country where the average income is around $1000 a year, a little money goes a long way. Here are some examples:

• $25 buys a book for every child in one class;
• $71 pays for one month's teacher's salary;
• $90 puts a child through grade school for a year.