Projects of Hope

The Foundation for Sustainable Development

School Scholarship Program

Some of those we are helping are children of widows in Yote Yawezekana Women's Group, all the women in this group are in some way affected by HIV/AIDS. Other youth being supported are identified through the outreach efforts of Yote Yawezekana and our Project Coordinator. These students include orphans, those with disabilities, and various difficult life circumstances.

Family Background

The children we are supporting are living in poverty, many have lost their father or mother, and have been affected by HIV/AIDS in their family situation. Families survive through subsistence farming on small plots of land and earn less than a dollar day. There are very few jobs available in this impoverished area of Kenya. We are supporting youth who otherwise would not have the opportunity to meet their educational goals.

Meet the students from Kenya who are receiving scholarships to attend school. Will you help them achieve their dream of education?

Meet the wonderful children here. Your support and sponsorship are most welcome and needed.

Assisting Students

High school tuition is approximately $180 a year. Elementary school is 'free' in Kenya but fees are about $50 to meet school related needs.

For approximately $200 per child, the following life-affirming resources are provided-resources which, due to extreme poverty, would have otherwise been unavailable to the students.

Student support includes school fee and Exam Fee Payments, School Books and Supplies, Healthcare and Medicine from Local Clinic, Tutoring, Lunch Meals 5 days a week, School Uniforms, Group Guidance work, and extra support with daily living needs for orphans.

Microfinance Loan Program

Projects of Hope is committed to helping individuals living in poverty become more self sufficient. For this reason, we have provided a pilot grant of approximately $750 to Yote Yawezekana Women's Group to begin small businesses to support their families. The loans are distributed in the amount of 3,000 KSH (approximately 50 USD) and require the development of a business plan through a loan application. The loans are provided directly by the group at 2.5% flat interest rate per month with a minimum of 3,000 KSH paid within 3 months. The funds are then made available to other members in the group to develop their own small business in this revolving fund. The members are excited with the set up of the program and have nominated members to provide record keeping and assist with oversight.

Read a great article about the micro-lending concept at PBS Frontline.

Healthcare Initiative

Outpatient healthcare, including medication, is available to all Yote Yawezekana Women's Group members through the care of medical staff from the local community health clinic. The women struggle from the effects of HIV/AIDS, so this is a much needed support. All Projects of Hope scholarship recipients also receive healthcare when they are ill through the Shikokho Medical Clinic in Kenya. In-patient healthcare is provided for the widows with progressive AIDs symptoms/urgent care needs on a case by case basis through Mukumu Hospital.

Friendship Project

Students from All Saints Academy in Breese, Illinois continue to reach out through writing letters to their friends in Kenya. They also raise funds to purchase school supplies for their partner classroom. The children in Kenya and in the United States love to hear from their friends and share pictures and stories.

Annual Home Building Project

Our third annual home building project is set to take place this summer/fall for an elderly man and his adopted niece, who is a Projects of Hope student! More news to come!

Read about the past initiatives