School Support Program

One of the primary factors that leave youth in Kenya at risk of engaging in dangerous and self-harming behaviors is idleness, which is often a result of not attending school. Because secondary school is expensive for most Kenyan families, the financial burden of sending even one child to high school is too much for a family to bear. The end result is that many high school aged children are either married off without a chance to be educated in the future, or, more commonly, are left idle and are at a much greater risk to engage in risky sexual behavior which puts this population at risk for contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. This, in turn, leads to low emotional and spiritual morale. After much prayer, the Coptic Orthodox Church felt that one way to combat the problem of idleness, while promoting better youth self-esteem and development is through supporting youth education. Therefore, the Church established the School Fees Program.

The design of the School Fees Program allows for the family or caretaker of each student to be engaged in the education of their children, while providing the necessary assistance to enable their children to continue through schooling. The students, nominated by the fathers and the committee of each church, are selected based on a number of factors including their financial need, active membership in the church and ability to maintain good grades and good behavior in school.

Each student who is sponsored by the program is mentored by servants in the church who follow up with them on their progress in school, as well as their emotional and spiritual needs. All students participate in a spiritual day organized each month in order for the students to grow in their faith and feel connected to the church community. Such a connection also promotes a sense of belonging and love for the students, making them less likely to look for love and belonging in risky sexual behavior.

The program began in the year 2000 and operates out of Maseno and Nairobi which are sponsoring an annual average of 25 and 95 children, respectively. To date, this program has been funded primarily through various supporters and members of the Coptic Church worldwide, including Care in Action International (USA, Canada, Europe).

“Before I went to school, I was bored and I felt like my future was hopeless. I figured I would just have to make do with the jobs around me because I couldn’t afford going to secondary school. When the church sponsored my education, my view of the future changed. I was motivated to work hard and do well in school. I am now teaching Sunday School and trying to go to college. I am encouraging the kids I teach to work hard and dream big. I felt like God answered my prayers about my future, and I know He will answer theirs too.”
-Sponsored Student

Get Involved

We have only just scratched the surface of this overwhelming need and hope to expand our program through supporting the education of hundreds of children within our reach. Through your continued support to the mission we will be able to reach them all. If you’d like to sponsor a child, and give him/her the opportunity to continue with his/her education, please contact us via the E-mail Contact Form.