A small organization with an immense impact providing educational scholarships to children in developing countries. Christie Dawson, Board of Directors Volunteer and Director of Sponsorship shares her first-hand experience with Moja Tu.
Her smile says 1,000 words. She is one of over 160 students who are able to attend school because of Moja tu. “In 2013, Moja Tu started out with 15 students, and we were worried that it would be difficult to find sponsors. However, now we have 160 sponsor/student relationships and we are constantly growing. In order to be in the program, all students’ needs are validated with home visits and a letter of intent is written by the student as to why they should be in our program. Once that is completed, students will be listed on our website,” shares Christie Dawson.
What is the inspiration behind Moja Tu? “In 2012, a trip to Kenya gave birth to the idea of Moja Tu (which means “Just One” in Swahili). On their trip, Kathy and Christine volunteered at an orphanage, they discovered a growing need to provide education to children. Six months later, Moja Tu was born. A young lady named Joyce asked the founders, Kathy and Christine Kempff if they could help pay for her high school fees. It was through that chance encounter that the idea was born. The program is distinct because it finds sponsors to match with deserving students to support their education. However, Kathy and Christine also wanted Moja Tu to be unique from other similar sponsorship programs. The big difference, which is why I became involved, is that once a sponsor chooses a child to sponsor, there is a direct relationship via Skype, letters and an annual trip to Kenya to spend time with the student.”
What does sponsorship pay for? “Sponsorship is a small monthly donation, for $85 it provides for more than just educational fees, it also pays for room and board, meals, uniforms, clothing, school books and personal essentials. Many of the children are orphaned and disenfranchised with no one to care for them. There are variable fees based on the grade of the student but 100% of the funds donated are sent for the student. Everyone who works on the board, including the founders, are 100% volunteers. Very few non-profits can say that. Moja Tu ensures that the children have a safe place to live with access to clean water and electricity; these are things we often take for granted in the U.S.”
How many children are currently in the program? “In 2013, Moja Tu started out with 15 students, and we were worried that it would be difficult to find sponsors. However, now we have 160 sponsor/student relationships and we are constantly growing. In order to be in the program, all students’ needs are validated with home visits and a letter of intent is written by the student as to why they should be in our program. Once that is completed, students will be listed on our website, https://mojatu.org.”
What does sponsorship pay for? “Sponsorship is a small monthly donation, for $85 it provides or more than just educational fees, it also pays for room and board, meals, uniforms, clothing, school books and personal essentials. Many of the children are orphaned and disenfranchised with no one to care for them. There are variable fees based on the grade of the student but 100% of the funds donated are sent for the student. Everyone who works on the board, including the founders, are 100% volunteers. Very few non-profits can say that. Moja Tu ensures that the children have a safe place to live with access to clean water and electricity; these are things we often take for granted in the U.S.”
