A Message from IPI-U.S. Board Chairman, Mike Beerntsen
I was first exposed to IPI-Kenya’s inspiring work in 2009 when I was leading a group of teenage volunteers for longtime IPI partner, Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder. Over the course of the next decade, I had the good fortune to bring eight more groups of students to Meru to work on various projects at KACH and Tiriji.
During one of her presentations to my students, Dr. Karambu mentioned the frustration she felt when people she met stated that the kids in the IPI family “seemed happy.” Karambu told my students, “My kids don’t seem happy. They are happy!” After each of my trips to Meru, I left inspired by the work that IPI Kenya has done to truly transform the lives of the young people in their care.
I want to share the stories of three of these children. Your year-end gift allows IPI to continue to nurture the development of deserving young leaders like Grace, Jane, and Daniel. Thank you in advance for your support and partnership.
When you give, you help fund the dreams of a brighter future for our kids. Every gift to IPI through December 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar! Give once—twice the impact!
Amazing Grace
Grace is a 12-year old girl w ho came to KACH in 2018 from Narok County. She was rescued from a pre-arranged child marriage, along with her cousin Jane. Grace, like Jane, was set to be married at the tender age of 13 and arrangements h
ad already been made, despite her only being six years old at the time. She had never been to school, and spoke neither Swahili nor English when she came to KACH. Despite these early challenges, Grace has achieved much in her six years at KACH!
Once she settled in at KACH, she began her educational journey at Chabuene Academy where she completed kindergarten through Grade 5. Grace is a brilliant child who has received very good grades. She is a high achiever and was given the award as the top performer in her Grade 6 class (pictured with her award)! Her ability to understand and comprehend he
r school subjects is a reflection of her commitment and dedication to her studies. Grace’s favorite subjects are integrated science and mathematics. Following a diagnosis of pneumonia, combined with her natural gifts in science and math, Grace aspires to one day be a physician and provide others with the wonderful care she received when she was ill. Your giving helps fund her education, so someday, you’ll get to call her Dr. Grace!
Grace is a hard worker, and is helpful in doing her chores around the home. She loves to swim and dance and is quite good at martial arts! She is humble and loves to help others in need. When one of our kids has fallen ill or has gotten hurt, Grace is the first to offer aid and be a comfort. She is amazing, indeed!
Jane: A Pillar of Hope
Jane is a 19-year girl from Narok County in the Rift Valley. Education is not valued in some communities in the Rift Valley, especially for young girls. This was the case for young Jane. Her parents never enrolled her in school, and her brother arranged for her to be married at age 13. Luckily, she was rescued and was taken to the children’s office in Narok County where her case was considered one that needed urgent intervention. Jane was referred to the Kithoka Amani Children’s Home and came to join the KACH family in 2018. Here, she receives love, protection, shelter, education, and mental and physical health support.
At 13, Jane entered a classroom for the first time, speaking neither English nor Swahili. She started Grade 1 at Chabuene Academy, but didn’t let the age gap, or the language barrier, deter her from getting an education. Jane is now enrolled in Grade 7 and is excelling! Her hard work and your support have made this possible.
Jane has been a pillar of hope and a role model to the other children at KACH. Her love for studies and wanting to learn new things is obvious to everyone. She likes reading storybooks and the Bible in her spare time, and is known for taking excellent notes in school and finishing her homework on time. She is making great strides in her educational journey and every term we see an improvement in her grades. Her favorite subject is Christian Religious Education and her favorite teacher teaches it!
Jane can be somewhat shy, but has a few good friends. While at KACH, she helps out by doing chores, working in the garden, and cooking. She likes singing and many times she is the one leading prayers in school and at home. Jane is strong and determined to succeed! Would you please come alongside her and help Jane achieve her goals?
Daniel Soars!
Daniel, affectionately called “Tush,” is 13 years old and came to KACH when he was only 1 year old. He is the youngest of six children and he joined the KACH family with three of his sisters after his mother passed away in 2015. His father is a day laborer who struggled with addiction and was unable to provide and care for the children. A community volunteer saw their situation and reported it to the local Children’s Department Office, who later referred the kids to KACH.
Because of your generosity, Daniel has be
en receiving the love and support he needs. He has shown a lot of progress in both academics and social life. He is currently in 6th Grade and is doing well. He strives to do better each year. Daniel is very social and is adored by his KACH family. He likes playing soccer and he loves to dance. At KACH, he helps with the chores and laundry. It has been an amazing journey seeing him grow over the past 12 years. His favorite subject is science and when he grows up he want to become aeronautical engineer. For Tush, the sky is where he wants to be! Will you help him get there?
Message from IPI Founder & President, Dr. Karambu Ringera
KACH was 15 years old this August. “KACHing” dreams at KACH is what we love to do! I cannot but marvel at the amazing journey that has brought us to where we are today. “Baby” Tush is now a big boy who is now in Grade 6! He has grown to be a delightful, kind-hearted boy whose dream is to be an engineer. Jane and Grace came to KACH as rescued girls from early marriage. Today, they are leaders in their schools. Today, they know they are not their circumstances and they have fully embraced the opportunities KACH offers to make their biggest dreams come true. Your support helps our children have hope and dream of a brighter future. Thank you!
Asante Sana!
IPI-U.S. Board of Directors: Mike Beerntsen (Board Chair) Timothy Ehlinger (Immediate Past Chair), Fredah Rajab (Vice Chair), Angie Phetteplace (Treasurer, Ex-Officio), Eamon Aloyo (Director of ICSP), Michael Steinback, Naitore Gitonga, and Bridghette Parker
IPI-U.S. Advisory Board: Ralph Ogden and Nancy Martin Ross
IPI-U.S. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports IPI-Kenya, which manages all Kenyan operations. IPI envisions a world where violence, poverty and disease no longer exist and every individual lives in dignity and with integrity.
