Dear Mitchell,

I wish you continued success in your educational journey. You are clearly a bright young woman, and I hope you will have a bright future. Your strength and determination will serve you well as you pursue your goals. I believe in you, and I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth C.

Dear Emmaculate--

Thank you for sharing about your first term. It sounds like it was busy and that the closing celebration was special, except for all of the rain.

What is your favorite subject in school? What book have you read recently? I hope while you are home you check out some books from the Kenya Connect library. Reading is very important to future success. Read books that are fun for you. They have so many wonderful stories and librarian Esther can help you pick out a book. I read every day for fun. Right now I'm reading a story based in Nova Scotia Canada. I'm learning so much and very engaged with the characters.

Today there is a solar eclipse in the U.S. I am hoping to see a bit of it. It's when the moon goes in front of the sun. It's really interesting.

Have a wonderful break, read a lot of books, and help out your family.

Take care,
Sharon

Your tuition for form 3 for 2025 has been taken care of. So you are good for this year and also next year.

Barb C.

Kaluki,
We are very glad to see how you have progressed in school the past 3 years. Best wishes as you study your 4th year. I am coming to Kenya in October and maybe I will be able to meet you then!

Steve

Dear Jacinta, The School Fund staff wrote to me to tell me that you have finished Form 2. Congratulations! That is a big accomplishment. I am sure you worked really hard and that your teachers are also so proud of you. I am celebrating you! Best wishes, Nicole

Dear Joy. Good for you for completing your third form. I'm sending you good wishes and luck to continue your educational journey!!

Fondly,
Cecil Anison

Dear Emmaculate--

Thank you for writing! I am pleased to hear that your school year is off to a good start. What is your favorite subject? Are you on a sports team?

I like to read a lot. Every night I read for at least 20-30 minutes. Right now I am reading a book about secondary school students who live I the state of Michigan. It's very interesting. I find that I learn so much when I read stories. Do you like to read? Do you have a Kenya Connect library card. Reading is one of the best things you can do to help your studies.

In the U.S. it is the end of our winter. I am in Vermont where there is usually a lot of snow, but now it's melting as it's getting warmer.

Keep working hard in school and thanks for writing.

Sharon

Nivea, I am so pleased to see you reached full funding for the 2024 school year. I hope your schooling is going well and my message finds you happy and healthy. Keeping you in my thoughts. Kelli

Dear Syongwa,
Congratulations on completing your high school education and beginning at university. This is very exciting news!
I am sitting in my den at home, with a fire going, looking out the window at snow and ice. The temperature is in single digits (Fahrenheit; negative in Celsius!). We had 7.5 inches of snow on Monday, which is twice the average annual snowfall for this area. It's been lovely, actually!
I hope your classes at university are interesting and challenging. I look forward to hearing if you like them and if you meet interesting new people.

Regards,
Melissa

Hi Fedelis,

What wonderful news about your examines and your future journey in University. I am so incredibly proud and look forward to seeing where the future takes you. Which University are you thinking of attending? Do you have a topic of study you are hoping to achieve? Hopefully I will be in Kenya sometime this year and I would love to see you. Keep working hard and keep up you positive attitude. May God bless you and your family and friends.

Have a great Day...

Cindy (Mutindi)

Hi Amieli, I’m Noah. I’m really glad to be helping you out with your education. I read that you would like to be a pharmacist when you grow up. Have you always wanted to be a pharmacist? I’m in high school now and I’m still not sure what I want to do when I get a job so I think it’s cool that you already know what you want to do. What are some of your hobbies? Some of mine are fishing, playing lacrosse, and hanging out with my friends. Again, I’m excited to be helping you out with your education and I hope that you have an amazing 2024

- Noah

Hello Faith:

Congratulations on finishing this part of your education! That is a great accomplishment. Are you planning to continue your studies at a college?

My best wishes to you!

Dear Susan--

Congratulations! I am thrilled that you passed your exams and will be joining university. That is wonderful news. I know that you have worked hard throughout secondary school.

What will you be studying in University? Will you be doing an internship with Kenya Connect?

My holidays were wonderful. My children came home from University and work so it was very special. I went to the state of Vermont and I even got to ski a little bit.

Congratulations. I am very happy to hear from you.

Sharon

Hi Muthini,
So glad to hear that you have started back at school for the 2024 session. I imagine you are having a good time with your friends and with the teachers. You are right - the sky is the limit, if you know what goals you are pursuing, work hard, and ask for help when needed!
What is your favorite subject? What kind of work do you hope to undertake when you finish your studies? Do you enjoy reading books - if so, what is one of your favorites?
In my town, we are preparing for very cold weather with a little snow this weekend and early next week. I like the snow, but am not thrilled about how cold it might be! I must wear many layers of clothes when I go outside to stay warm. I am always amazed that birds survive below-freezing temperatures. We have many species of birds where I live, from finches, chickadees, cardinals to hawks, eagles, herons, and more. I've included a picture of a heron at a nearby lake.
It is good to hear from you - I look forward to another update!

Dear Scholastica, I am thinking of you and wishing you all of the best for 2024. I hope all of your dreams come true! Thank you so much for your kindness towards animals. Sending best wishes to you. Nicole

Dear Jacinta, I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you. I hope all of your dreams come true in 2024. You can do it! Nicole

Dear Nivea, I hope you are doing well and enjoying your classes. Best wishes for 2024. I hope all of your dreams come true in the new year. Thinking of you! Nicole

Trying again to attach the eagle picture.

Here is a picture of the bald eagle pair -- it is not particularly good quality, because I had to put my cellphone camera up to a telescope! But - you can get an idea of what they look like. The wingspan of the female is 2.2 meters! The wingspan of the male is 1.9 meters! These are really big birds.

Dear Syongwa,
I was so glad to receive your message today and hear that your exams went well. I hope you receive good news on December 23; my guess is that you did quite well.
I had not heard about the terrible rain and flooding in Kenya. What a tragedy, especially for the people who are displaced or lost loved ones. I am grateful that you are safe.
Thanks for mentioning Thomson Falls - I looked up pictures online and the waterfall is stunning. I hope to see it in person someday.
We are finally entering a season of colder weather where I live. The leaves have turned yellow, red, orange, brown, and have fallen from the trees. The bucks have come out of hiding, because it is mating season, and are making their presence known! Attached is a picture I took while walking at a nearby part called Radnor Lake. There is also a pair of bald eagles that nest high up in a tree on the shore of this lake. Two days ago, I saw one swoop down and catch a fish. Bald eagles are some of the largest birds found in the U.S., and they are our national symbol. You will see the bald eagle on the Seal of the United States.
I am busy with online classes - I am learning how to write computer programs and manipulate data using SQL and Python (2 coding languages). I hope to find a job in the field of data analysis.
I hold great respect for you and your desire to go into journalism, to tell the stories of women and other people you encounter. Who knows? Maybe your career will bring you to the US someday!
My prayer for you:
May God bless you and keep you safe. May you find joy and fulfillment in your daily life. May you have the strength, courage, creative vision, and determination to dream big and pursue those dreams.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
with love - Melissa