An education to break the cycle of poverty in Kenya

Baraka, 19, lives with his mother and sister in the Kenya Service Area, a rundown settlement in western Kenya. Most of the children here do not go beyond primary school due to the required school fees.

In Kenya, primary school education is free, but secondary school is not. Once out of school, children typically start working to support their family’s income while others turn to prostitution, or drug and alcohol abuse. This is the bleak scenario that Baraka faced when he completed primary school in 2011.

“On a good day my mother makes about 200 Kenya shillings (US $2). This money is just enough to buy food,” he notes. “For a long time, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to afford secondary school.”

Fortunately, that was not the case. Baraka was eligible for a bursary from the SOS Secondary School. The scholarship is awarded to children from vulnerable families who have an excellent academic performance. In 2012, Baraka enrolled in the school on a four year scholarship.

“I was so excited when I received the news of the grant. I could not believe it, I was given a future,” Baraka said.

Thanks to the generous donations to SOS Children’s Villages, Baraka is in his final year. He explained that he hopes to attend university after graduation.

SOS Children’s Villages provides schooling to over 1,000 children and youth in Kenya. Through SOS, Kenyan children and young people are able to receive day-care, education, vocational training and medical services. In addition, over 650 children receive love at the five SOS Children’s Villages in the country.

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.