First-Timers to Kilgoris: Blog Edition

Last month, our U.S.-based TKP staff visited Kilgoris and returned with full, grateful hearts. We reflect on our trip with immense gratitude for having the opportunity to see YOUR generosity in action. Now let's hear from TKP's newcomers (Greg and Adri) on their Kilgoris experience!

Smiling faces. Kind spirits. Generous souls. 

Everything I remembered about Kenyans, I experienced again with my first visit to Kilgoris.  

I’ve visited Kenya many times, but this trip was very special. As I stepped into the role as President of TKP, this trip was an opportunity to meet our fantastic Kenyan team, see our incredible students, and experience the amazing work. 

Work that is changing lives. Creating futures. Building foundations that will last a lifetime and otherwise never be possible for kids born into challenging situations, at best. 

What I saw confirmed to me that we have a model that works! Transformation is happening in the lives of our kids. But it is also happening in the communities in which we are serving. 

Not only that, but we have a model that is ripe for growth. And I can’t wait to step into the opportunities ahead. 

Of course, I was reminded that we are powered by our incredible supporters – YOU! And my gratitude for your prayers, encouragement, and giving is beyond expression. Thank you! 

– Greg Baird, President, TKP

My first time in Kenya. My first time meeting the core of the TKP family. And yet I felt right at home. I felt welcomed, from the wonderful kids to the fun-loving leadership team and the warm-hearted community of parents. I sensed the love and gratitude for our partnership in every smile, hug, and kind word exchanged. 
 
Like many of us that have visited Kilgoris, we return with an endless list of treasured moments. Here are some that marked me:
- Spending time with our entire team, students, teachers, parents, and community leaders (lots of singing, dancing, and celebrating!)
- Seeing TKP's work and impact firsthand
- Experiencing a wonderful safari trip with my new friend and colleague, Ivine! (We saw a rhino…rare sight!)
- Reading a book with a bright-eyed student named Faith at the Oloilale campus. She echoed every phrase with confidence and joy as I read with her. Faith's eagerness to read and learn is the TKP engrained in her! 
 
The fruit of your generosity is in every detail at TKP, and to think that it started with one powerful seed back in 1999 leaves me in awe. Thank you, TKP family, for your commitment to the thriving Kilgoris community. 

– Adri Sotomayor, Manager of Communications and Development, TKP

TKP News-Round Up

Once a TKP Student, Always a TKP Student:
Four TKP Alumni Receive Full High School Scholarships

Four of TKP's 2021 alumni are proudly walking the halls and grounds of Sirua Aulo High School in Kilgoris, Kenya as recipients of full high school scholarships. Thanks to our generous partner, the Weiss Scholarship Foundation, Robinson, Caren, Mercy and Brian will attend four years of high school, with all tuition and boarding costs covered!

In our model, TKP prepares graduates for higher education, but generous partnerships like Weiss Scholarship Foundation ensure that these students have the resources needed to start and complete high school. We are overjoyed for this talented group of scholars as they continue stepping into their bright futures!

Read more to meet the Scholarship Recipients and learn about the rest of the exciting TKP News Round-Up!

Meet TKP's New President, Greg Baird!

Dear TKP Family,

It’s an honor to share with you an important milestone in The Kilgoris Project’s history. Last fall I made plans to step down as TKP’s President to pursue better health and wellbeing. TKP was/is in a healthy place financially, with a rock star staff, and big plans to grow our impact. So together, with our Board of Directors and staff in both the U.S. and Kenya, we began searching for our next leader and planning for this important transition.

We found the right one! The TKP Board of Directors joins me today in announcing Greg J. Baird as TKP’s next President.

Greg is a strategic leader with more than 25 years of executive leadership and development experience across non-profits, churches, and the business sector. Most recently, he was the interim executive director of Outside the Bowl— an organization he helped grow from a local to a national non-profit through fundraising expansion and strategic organizational development.

Previously, he held leadership positions at David C Cook publishing in Colorado and was the founder/president of Kids in Focus in California. Greg also brings leadership experience from 20 years of children’s, family, and executive pastor roles. I have every confidence in Greg’s strong history of strategic planning, fundraising and development initiatives, and expertise in team/organizational development. His solid breadth of skills will serve TKP well in the years to come.

I will remain part of TKP as a board member and development consultant. In the short term, Greg and I will partner with the staff to ensure a smooth transition.

When Jon and I started TKP more than 20 years ago, we could have never imagined where this journey would take us or the tremendous impact TKP would have on education and student health in the Kilgoris area. It has been my joy to serve and lead this organization, and I look forward to our continuing transformative impact in the lives of many students, families, and communities.

Please join me in welcoming Greg to our global TKP family!

With gratitude,

Caren McNelly McCormack, CFRE
Co-founder & Board Member, The Kilgoris Project

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Meet TKP's New President

“What an honor to be joining The Kilgoris Project. It is my heart's desire to do work that matters, and I believe this is it! The impact on the lives of children in our schools, and the extended impact in the lives of families and those in local communities in Kenya, is incredible. I could not be more excited to be stepping into this already established work and contribute alongside the amazing team—both those in the US and in Kenya—at TKP.”

– Greg Baird, President, TKP

2021 Impact Report

April 5, 2022

Dear Friends,

“And first place goes to The Kilgoris Project,” the emcee of the Nairobi-based Daima Trust Awards gala ceremony announced in March of 2021. Our stunned team could hardly believe their ears. The emcee repeated himself. The third announcement sunk in, and our team leapt to the stage to accept their trophy. TKP was recognized for “Best Collaborative Approach to Community-based Development”.

We couldn’t be prouder of this recognition and the impactful work you make possible. As we look back at 2021, we do so with a huge amount of gratitude. Our teams continued to tackle pandemic-related challenges with grace and innovation to maintain services for our 1,635 TKP students.

Your big-hearted gifts fueled incredible education, health care, nutrition, and economic development programs in rural Kenya. Your generosity reached a new milestone in 2021—more than $1 million in gifts to The Kilgoris Project—a first in our 18+ year history! Each one of those dollars impacts children in our 12 schools.

Read on in this 2021 Impact Report to see the exceptional returns of your generous investments, your faithful partnership, and your prayers. Think of this as a virtual gala invitation and a chance to swell with pride as we share the trophy with you.

We can’t serve the children and families of Kilgoris without you! Asante sana!

With Gratitude,

Caren McNelly McCormack
President and Co-Founder

David Lemiso
Executive Director

Health and Hygiene Support: April 2022

April 5, 2022

Dear TKP Family,

Little hands at TKP’s 12 schools line up at handwashing stations tens of thousands of times every school year. This somewhat simple, but critical routine keeps our 1,775 students healthy and guards against the spread of germs on campus. 

We know that kids need to be healthy to thrive in the classroom and this week we’re launching a three-week campaign to ensure our water, sanitation, and hygiene programs are fully funded. The need for proper sanitation and hygiene resources remains a top priority for TKP beyond the pandemic. 

In 2022, we’re investing in these important programs by:

• Allocating increased budget for handwashing stations.

• Adding more choos (toilets) at Nentkeny to ensure cleanliness for this growing and thriving campus (now up to 6th grade!).

• For TKP’s five campuses with clean water wells, we’re moving forward with regular maintenance and repairs to keep the supply of clean water flowing.

• Investing in student health clubs so students can become ambassadors for health and hygiene on TKP campuses.

 Will you partner with us today to raise $15,000 in April?

We can’t do it without you!

Make your secure, tax-deductible donation here: www.kilgoris.org/donate