Care In Action International Care In Action International

       

      

Once Upon A Time
Care In Action
The Mission In Africa
How Can I Help?
Sick, Tired, or Need a Prayer?
Health Services



Message of the Month

  
History

One of the primary factors that leave children and youth in Kenya at risk for engaging in dangerous and self-harming behaviours 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 behaviour which puts this population at risk for contracting HIV or other sexual 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 this problem of idleness is to financially support youth education.  The program was started in January of 2000.

Program Design

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.  The students will be chosen by the church committee in each area based upon the family's need.  The church will fund half of a year's education, and the family will be expected to pay the other half.  If the family cannot afford to pay half, they can pay as much as they can afford and the priest of each are will determine how the family can volunteer their time by working on church projects in order to "pay" their share.  By this type of design, the family will be more likely to be invested in their child's education and will also be more likely to encourage their child to study hard and excel in school.

Spiritual Component

Each student who is sponsored by the program will also participate in one spiritual day per month in order for the students to grown in their faith and feel connected to the church community.  Such a connection could also promote a sense of belonging and love for each student which would make them less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour in order to find that love or sense of belonging.

Future Plans

As the program develops further, it is our hope that each stuent could be academically and spiritually mentored by an older member of the their church.  That way, the students would be encouraged to make and effort in their academic and spiritual lives.  In addition, the communities of these children would begin to feel responsible for the students and their academic and spiritual well-being.  The church hopes to sponsor 200 students by 2006.

Testimonial

"Before I went to school, I was bored and I felt like my future was hopeless.  I figured I would just have tomake 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."  - Program Member

 

 

You may find detailed information about these services at the website http://www.copticmission.org