Kenyan Interviews

One of the very must interesting and enjoyable parts of a trip to Kenya with Kenya Keys is the fun of interviewing the sponsored students. Each student who is sponsored by Kenya Keys is interviewed, receives a letter from their sponsor and then writes one back.  Although this takes a lot of time on both sides of the ocean, it is a vital part of the Kenya Keys program.  The personal connection between student and sponsor creates a sweet relationship, even if it is all done by mail once a year!

Kenya Keys founder, Moma Rinda, is an old hand at this.  You can tell just how much the students love her!

 Michelle was on her first trip to Kenya but she made friends everywhere she went with her sparkling smile.  Her native name is 'Kadzo' which means, 'Beautiful Lady'. 

Hearing the stories of these student's lives is sometimes heart wrenching.  The poverty, the disease,  lack of food, family who doesn't value education, for the girls the possibility of early marriage which effectively ends their education...it can all be difficult to even imagine.  What comes through time and time again though is their absolute determination to succeed!  Each student is aware of the great blessing given to them by their sponsor and works hard.  Many times they are the only one in the family to have any education past primary school.  And almost always the hopes of their entire family rests on their young shoulders.

My roommate Carolyn interviewed this serious young student!  Quite often we are the first white person they have ever spoken to.  Their solemn expressions are so that their sponsors will know they are serious about their studies.   

Mark managed to get a smile out of this young man! 

Missy was a natural at talking to these children! 

Founder Brent shares the letter from her sponsor with appropriately named "Holiness"!  She was a delight to be around! 

Recently graduated from secondary school himself, Jackson enjoyed his interviews.  I am sure he realized just how blessed he is in his life.

Zach had a knack for making each student feel comfortable.  Maybe it was because he spoke Swahili!  I am quite confident he was the first Swahili speaking white person this boy had ever spoken to!!!

And what was I doing during all these interviews?  I had the fun of being the official photographer!