Food for Thought

Each year, your gifts in December allow us to add something new to TKP’s nutrition program. Five years ago we added breakfast, then the next year more fresh fruit, next it was more substantial meals for the preschoolers. And, in 2019 we expanded even further. Your generosity creates these beautiful mealtime scenes. Bowls filled with rice, beans and veggies. Fresh, clean water. Bananas. And our Student Health Officer, Amos Leperes, beaming with pride as his students fill up on the nutrients they need!

We’ve seen the fruits of your generosity and need your help to keep it up! TKP schools are growing (we’re expecting to add up to 105 more students in 2020!) and food prices are rising in Kenya. In 2020, we plan to add more variety and nutrition to the student meals by including seasonal produce like watermelon, mangoes and avocados.

Will you join us with a gift today? We can’t continue our life-changing meal and nutrition program without you. Visit www.kilgoris.org/donate to make your gift today.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

From Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve, we’re celebrating the people working tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make TKP what it is. From our Kenyan staff, to our U.S.-based team, parents, students, travelers and our thousands of donors… each person plays a critical role in in the lives of 1,400 children in rural Kenya. Learn about these incredible people transforming lives, thanks to your generosity!

(Check back for updates throughout December and meet some new faces or learn something new about a familiar team member!)

Meet Jennifer, a teacher at Intimigom Primary School. Jennifer is a bright light on our campus and shines through all she does. Whether it's working with kids in the classroom, leading scouts, or greeting campus visitors... she does it all with a smile and a joyful heart. A highlight of any trip to Intimigom is 400 students singing and praising in unison. These songs and the special greetings visitors are treated to, are thanks to Jennifer's creativity and leadership. (TKPx travelers... share a favorite song or greeting from Intimigom in the comments!) Thank you Jennifer, we love your heart and your creativity. We appreciate you!

Meet Dalson, a teacher at Oltikampu Primary school. Dalson's love of teaching, humble heart, and ability to connect with students make him a star on our Oltikampu Campus. This year, Dalson served as lead teacher for Class 8--the first graduating class at Oltikampu. He led a group of 15 students through the entire year and in preparation for the important KCPE exam. Dalson was honored at the Oltikampu graduation for his commitment to Class 8 and he was beaming with pride as his students received their diplomas. Thank you Dalson, we love your dedication to your students and appreicate your leadership!

David Lemiso, Executive Director gives a special shout-out to all of the donors who make TKP's work with children in rural Kenya possible!

Let's Celebrate our TKP Grads!

This October, surrounded by red graduation gowns, shimmering tinsel, beaming students and proud parents, the TKP family celebrated 49 eighth grade graduates. The graduates represent years of hard work, dedication and generosity on TKP’s two largest campuses—Intimigom (34 graduates) and Oltikampu (15 graduates).

Many graduates have been with TKP since their preschool days. And, another handful represent students whose parents chose to enroll in a TKP school, based on our excellent reputation in the community. From investing in preschoolers just learning their letters and numbers, to eighth graders nearing high school, YOU continue to make a pathway for TKP students every step of the way.

2018 Impact Report

Dear Friends,

Picture our 2018 eighth-grade graduation: Parents beaming with pride. Government officials recognizing the school’s accomplishments. Younger brothers and sisters (wearing their own school uniforms) dreaming of their future ceremonies.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the same scene at every local school. In the Kilgoris area, 60 percent of students at government primary schools fail to qualify for high school. I’m proud to share that not only did 100 percent of TKP graduates pass their high school entry exam, they are also all attending high school!

Your investment in these students shines like their bright red graduation gowns. From preschool crayons, to Kindles in primary school, to high school prep in eighth grade—you’ve come alongside these students the whole way. Your sacrificial giving, love and prayers continue to build the TKP community and the 1,300 children we serve. Here are a few highlights from 2018:

TOP GRADUATE EARNS FULL SCHOLARSHIP: TKP’s top eighth grade graduate, Joshua Kukutia, scored in the top one percent of all students in Kenya on the country’s high school entrance exam.
His exceptional performance earned him high school and university scholarships worth $8,800 USD. He now attends Nairobi’s elite Alliance High School, with plans to attend university upon graduation.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL: Many in Kilgoris struggle to provide adequate food and nutrition for their families, which often include orphans and extended family members. Students return from month-long school breaks sick and undernourished. In 2018, in addition to providing breakfast, lunch and clean water for all of our students, we’ve expanded our nutritional offering. Orphans and food-insecure students now receive food care packages over school holidays. This eases the burden on families, while also keeping children healthy and ready to return to class.

VISION-SAVING SURGERY FOR TWO STUDENTS: Thanks to well-medical checks for all students, Student Health Officer, Amos Leperes, identified severe vision problems in two siblings at Oltikampu Primary School. His early detection and case management led to vision-saving surgery for both students. They are now thriving in school.

INVESTMENT IN IN-COUNTRY INCOME SOURCE:
To ensure our long-term sustainability, we continue to invest in our social businesses and in-country revenue generating projects. Our Sere and Kumea Mizizi Farms continue to grow food and crop trees and our tractor plowing and hauling service contracts with local farmers. In 2018, we added a new seedling nursery for Eucalyptus trees, and we built a new home for our farmer, Douglas Khayara, on Sere Farm, where 30 acres of trees will be planted in the coming years.

Like our shining graduation celebration, all of this, and the hundreds of other life-changing moments that happen in our schools every year, would not be possible without you—our donors, volunteers, board members, advisors and staff. Read on to learn more about the exceptional impact of your generous gifts in 2018.

Thank you for continued support and faithful partnership. Read the full 2018 Impact Report to see how we stewarded your generous gifts in 2018.

Caren McNelly McCormack

President and Co-Founder The Kilgoris Project

Oloturot Expands With New Well and Classroom Building

Picture this… 30 preschoolers sitting below a giant tree signing joyful songs in Swahili, clapping to the ABCs, and of course some good old rowdiness. Behind this scene were parents who wanted a safe and nearby school for their children. The tree and a couple of teachers served them well.

 Five years ago this was Oloturot—a beautiful community within Kilgoris.

 Fast-forward to today and Oloturot has not only become part of the TKP community, but there is a thriving school, new buildings, and a well for this community. TKP began our partnership at Oloturot by hiring a few teachers and providing daily meals for the students, then added a church/multi-purpose building. Now, the 77 students and their teachers get to kick-off 2019 with a new classroom building and a fresh-water well equipped with a solar pump.

 “Despite Oloturot being only five years old, we have had thriving community support and great partners since the beginning,” said Suzie McNelly, TKP’s Director of Education. “Every day we see education being valued in this community. Parents now joyfully send their children to preschool and primary school at the right ages so they can continue to build a foundation for a strong education and future.”

 Special thanks to several generous donors who have help fund the expansion of Oloturot. The entire community now benefits from now only the educational resources for their children, but from the church building and reliable access to clean water.

Friends of TKP joined for the ceremonial opening of the well at Oloturot in February.