Dear Syongwa - what a great surprise to hear from you this morning! I am happy to hear that you are studying to become a teacher. My mother, father, brother, and I have all spent time teaching (my dad taught at Vanderbilt University for 34 years; my brother teaches math at Harpeth Hall School, in his 38th year!).
I hope you enjoy your field of study and that you are learning a lot. You have chosen two very interesting topics -- Biology is fascinating; Physical Education means you might become a coach, which would be a rewarding way to mentor and encourage young people.
I am glad to know that you exist, even if we are separated by half a world. Maybe, by some miracle, we will meet in person some day!
With love,
Melissa

Hello Emmaculate! It sounds like you've had a strong school year and it seems like your school has some exciting activities. Did you participate in the STEM competitions or the drama club?

Reading is essential to future success in all careers. Are you reading books for pleasure? I read every night. Right now I'm reading a book about a woman who owns a sheep farm in Vermont. It's really interesting and I'm learning how hard it is. She helps when they sheep give birth, in sheering their wool and overall management of the flock. It's something I knew very little about so I am learning a lot. I also like reading books that weave history with a story or a book with a mystery in it. Studies show that students who read for pleasure do better on exams and improve on critical thinking and creativity. During this break I encourage you to borrow a book from the Kenya Connect library and READ every day!

Are you going to the Kenya Connect Career Fair? I hope it's worthwhile.

It's summer in Maryland where I live. It's been very hot here. This weekend it got cooler which has been nice. Yesterday, I weeded my gardens and did some house cleaning.

Take care and keep working hard in school!

Hello Anna!

It was good to hear from you. It sounds like you had a strong term. I am very pleased to hear that you are reading. Reading for pleasure is essential to long term success and it opens your minds to so many new things. Right now I'm reading about a woman who raises sheep on a farm in Vermont in the U.S. I'm learning so much about how hard it is to run a successful sheep farm and how they sheer the sheep and care for them. It's something I knew very little about and the book opened up a new world to me. I read every day for fun on top of the reading I do for work.

Are you going to the Kenya Connect career fair? I think it will be helpful to show career opportunities.

It's summer in Maryland where I leave and very hot. I'm looking forward to cooler weather. Enjoy your school break and keep reading and writing. A journal is a great way to improve your writing and to share your thoughts.

Hello, Maureen, I am so happy to hear that you are doing well in your studies. Keep up the good work!
Jeanne

Hi Sheila,

Congratulations on your graduation, and may you and your family always be richly blessed, and may you have satisfaction in your career!

Debbie

Syombua,
We are so happy for you! Please let us know how you are and what your plans are. We are all well. Megan also just graduated. She now has a Masters Degree in Film. Please give our best wishes to your family.
Warm regards,
Lydia, Megan and Damian

Hello Felix!
I just funded your school year for 2026 in honor of my nephew Matthew Severson’s wedding to Chris Lucas. Matthew was the founder of The School Fund and will be happy that another student gets to go to school for another year. I also sponsored you for this current year and am delighted that you are doing well! “Felix” is also the name of one of my grandsons, so I have a particular interest in your future. Study hard, be good, and you will achieve your dreams!

Fondly,
Jill Post

Dear Muthini,

I just received an email letting me know that you have graduated from school! Congratulations! I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors and pray that you are safe and sound.

With gratitude,

Melissa

Dear Sabina,
Congratulations! I hear that you graduated. That is an amazing achievement and a wonderful reward for your hard and smart work.
Best wishes on your next steps.
Kind regards, Wayne

Dear Malik,
Congratulations! I hear that you graduated. That is an amazing achievement and a wonderful reward for your hard and smart work.
Best wishes on your next steps.
Kind regards, Wayne

Dear Mitchell,
Congratulations! I hear that you graduated. That is an amazing achievement and a wonderful reward for your hard and smart work.
Best wishes on your next steps.
Kind regards, Wayne

Congratulations, Christine, on your success so far. I'm sure you will continue with excellent grades. Libraries are among my favourite places, both school and public libraries. It's great that you have access to the Kenya Connect Library. Enjoy your long holiday, Wayne

Hi Christine, thank you for your update. Well done! I was very interested that in Kenya the use of plastic bags is prohibited. A great idea. Saves seeing the multitude of plastic in the bushes and on roadside. I wonder why other countries have not done that, especially those that pride themselves on environment. I use a plaited carrier bag from Kenya with string handles. Very useful and hardwearing. all best wishes, Henry

Hi Jacinta, I am so glad to hear that Wema Children's Centre is helping you and the other students with learning and personal growth. I am also passionate about the environment, and appreciate that you would like to become an environmental scientist. Wishing you all of the best with your studies!

Hi Mwau,
I hope this finds you well and having a good break before starting a new school year ! Will you be starting Form 4 in January?
I wish you a good year, with success in studies and some time for sports friends and extracurricular activities as well.

Hi Charles,
I’m happy to be able to contribute to your school fees, It’s wonderful that you are helping your guardians during the school break. I’m sure they appreciate your help and company. . I hope you are enjoying the break and will return to school in January refreshed and ready to start the new school year.
I just returned from 3 weeks in Kenya visiting a small school near Kikuyu. I am always impressed by how hardworking and friendly Kenyan students are.
I wish you much success in your studies this year and some fun in sports and choir as well.
Merry Christmas!
Karen

Hi Vincent,
A big congratulations on completing your KCSE! That’s a big step and concludes all that hard work you did in high school. I wish you much success as you move on to university. How did you decide to study law instead of medicine? Kenya needs lawyers as well as doctors. I hope you will move forward and both be successful and make the world a better place! I’m grateful to have been able to contribute to that!

Dear Enoch,
It’s my happy privilege to help with your school fees. It’s fun to hear about your sports activities and I’m also glad to hear that you are focused on achieving your goals in your studies as well.

By now you must be almost halfway through the break. I hope you have a nice Christmas and get the next school year off to a good start in January.

Hello, Vaati!
Thanks for the update . It’s my privilege to be able to contribute to your school fees and I am happy to be able to do so.!
I just returned from a month in Kenya visiting a small preK-JSS school run by a close Kenyan friend. Many high schoolers were on break and I enjoyed visiting with them and hearing about their studies and their hopes for the future.
Congratulations on completing the KCSE! I know this was a lot of work to get to this point and hope the results will open many doors for you.. What are your plans from here?

Hello Kaluki,
Congratulations on completing your secondary education. Best wishes on your future. I am sure you will do well in whatever you choose to do.
I was able to visit Wamunyu in October and I was really impressed at how well all the students are doing.
Regards,
Steve