In what has become our annual tradition, we hosted a ceremony and celebration in early January to acknowledge the 11 youth who recently completed high school (in December 2016) and to introduce our 12 new scholarship recipients. Our new SYEF chairperson Christine Namunyak served as master of ceremonies along her predecessor, Boniface Isigi. Together, they facilitated a ceremony full of many words of encouragement, introduction of our 11 graduates and each of our 52 students currently enrolled in high school, and punctuated with a number of high energy and vibrant songs and dances originating from the local tribes. The ceremony was followed by a traditional (and huge!) meal of sukuma wiki (similar to collared greens), goat stew, rice pilau, cabbage and fruit, all prepared by local SYEF volunteers, and with much of the food donated by SYEF parents and guardians.
It was a day in which literally hundreds of people — students, parents, local leaders, SYEF donors and supporters from afar — joined together to celebrate education. We have 39 graduates to-date, and many more to come.
How you can help:
Attend next year’s ceremony! SYEF donors have attended every celebration to-date.
The event is in early January and can be combined as part of a full Kenya safari.