COMMUNICATION WITH A KYAITHANI PARENT
The information below shares with you a communication with a parent within the Kyaithani community that resulted from my posting information (on the Kyaithani Secondary School FaceBook page) about the scholarships that our charitable Society just provided to 69 students in Kenya.
I found the questions and comments of this parent very interesting.
I am hoping that after you read this, you will have a much better understanding of how much these scholarships are appreciated and also be more aware of potential opportunities that exist to help students get post-secondary education and also see how difficult it is for them to secure employment.
When parent John expresses his appreciation for the secondary school scholarships provided, please remember that John is thanking everyone for your support of the Scholarship Fund that our CRA-approved charitable Society administers.
This parent, John Mutua, has several children that have benefitted from receiving scholarships since the scholarship program started in 2011.
Terry Umbach
Treasurer, Rotary Club Sunshine Coast-Sechelt Society
JOHN Responding to Terry
I thank you terry for the scholarship support of my child in the year of 2014 but my questions are;
1/ after the child has finished secondary level why can't you support college level?
2/ if the parent has supported college why can't you support the child to get a job somewhere so that he/she takes over to support the school as you do now because tomorrow you will not be able, and today you support them and tomorrow is theirs. If they are still struggling to look for job opportunities who will be supporters of tomorrow?
Terry responding to John
Thank you John for your thoughts, comments and questions. The answer is quite simple: it takes donations from many people to have been able to provide the 69 scholarships that we did this year. There simply are not enough people, that we have contact with, who are interested in giving money to support more Kenya secondary school students or students beyond the secondary level.
As for trying to help graduating students (either from secondary level or college) to get a job, that is next to impossible for us who live in Canada. We have provided help for 3 boys to learn a trade at Syongila Polytec (in Kitui). We asked Syongila why they do not provide help for their vocational school graduates to get a job. If a trade school can't help find work for their graduates, how much harder it is for people from outside Kenya.
I appreciate that it will be ideal and essential for the students of today to take over supporting their Kyaithani-area community and its schools. You are correct! Donors will not likely contribute money forever, and I will not live forever either.
We are hoping that enough students will have been trained, over the years, to take over from us sooner rather than later.
JOHN responding to Terry
I appreciate your answer and as for my fellow Kenyans, if people there outside Kenya have a heart to help our children, then when will we have a helping hand to others or set an example to our children to help others tomorrow and to help others there outside Kenya and not just sit and wait for help from outside!!
Let's not be selfish towards your bro'/sister because God gave u b'cos of who has nothing, why wait for outsiders to come for your brothers rescue while God blessed u to bless others? Its a pity, let's try and follow our brothers steps and we will make it then we will have a heart for outsiders like Terry!!!
Try and help your neighbours child and you will make your friend do the same.
Thanks Terry and your group. My prayer is my fellow Kenyans to have a heart like yours and we will put poverty aside!!!!
Terry responding to John
Thank you John for your comments. I am grateful that you have written. You are the first parent from within the Kyaithani area of Kenya that has written to me. I am very glad to read that one of your children received a scholarship.
Did your child go on to college as a result of your support? I hope so and that they did well.
Your comments about the difficulty of securing employment causes me concern that perhaps after all the years of education they have not found employment.
I am eager to hear more from you, and other parents, about your experience with bringing up children in your area and your & their experience living in the Kyaithani area and trying to help your children get an education and employment. Best Regards.
JOHN responding to Terry
Thanks again ,actually I don't know how to put the word so that u can understand how I thank you for supporting my two kids. I thank you very much may God bless you and your team. I will pray to God to make me be like you to support those who are down financially. You know what my first born finished the yr 2012 and he was the one brought kyaithani sec Award first 4m 4,the brown boy. By that tyme his dad was very sick and there was nobody to support him, and thru' hardship he was no.1 with B+. That's why I say thanks for your support. In the year 2014 my second born was in her final year. Her papa passed on 1/6/2014 while waiting exams. Thru hardships your support made her stay in school and as her brother also brought her school award she scored b plain, and they both went to universities. Her bro graduated in the yr 2016 his first degree and he is struggling with masters although he is jobless. Fees has became a challenge. Its overwhelming to a single parent. His sister graduated last yr November and also jobless. As we talk I have 3rd born university in 3rd yr also form 3 and another 2 in primary level. That's why I asked the question in my first comment. BuT I thank God to touch you to came to our country and give our kids scholarship, thanks and thanks a lot, and on behalf of my fellow parents, kyaithani sec school teachers, Board of Governors and pupils we thank you and your team for having a heart of helping our children’s. Thank you again terry may you live long!!!