The Global Challenge of HIV/Aids

The World Must Act Now 

Positively and with Purpose

The U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) convenes this month in New York City to deal with the challenges of our time. Among the many problems is the scourge of HIV/Aids. Since 1978, the world has struggled to end AIDS. The MDG's set out two goals to be achieved by the end of 2015; reducing the number of new HIV infections in children by 90%; and reducing the number of HIV-related maternal deaths by 50%.  

This Global Plan has been supported by various sectors and NGO's contributing resources to address a critical issue. Businesses and private foundations have provided financial  resources and technical assistance to achieve these objectives. According to UNAIDS, the number of new HIV infections among children has declined by 58 percent. And, over the last five years, there has been a 29% decline in the number of AIDS related deaths among young woman.  

Despite having made impressive strides, mother-to-child transmission of HIV will not be eliminated by December 2015. There remains much work to be done. In Kenya for example, there are rural areas where Aids is actually increasing. Poverty, lack of education and regressive cultural practises stand in the way of substantive progress. 

CES Canada's role is to provide access to secondary education and to alleviate acute poverty in Kakamega, Bungoma and Navakholo Counties of Kenya. By 2016 over 2000 secondary and post secondary scholarships will have produced an Alumnus Group that will create new hope for their communities. An innovative "School Without Walls" is planned to provide Leadership and Skills training to future leaders of Kenya. 

Education is a cornerstone for the work of CES Canada

The future of children without Education is grim

CES Canada believes that a bottom up grass roots approach is more effective than a top down cascade of funding and resources that seldom actually reaches the ground. To that end, CES works closely with public health and education stakeholders to deliver effective service in 24 school communities in a 3000 sq km area of western Kenya.

Global health experts are targeting 2030 as the deadline for ending AIDS as a public health threat. The challenge is to create a model of delivery that combines Health and Education. This approach must focus on children and their mothers and provide access to education even beyond secondary school. The private sector is critical in providing resources; however, without the work of NGO's on the ground, the planned programs will not be effective. 

As world leaders gather this week at the Sustainable Development Summit they will no doubt focus on the next 15 years as the SDG's replace the MDG's. If HIV/Aids is to be eliminated, it must be done in conjunction with a focus on education for all, gender equity, justice and human rights that protect women and children. To skirt around these critical areas will be a disaster. 

Michael Frederiksen,

President, CES Canada

CES Canada Advocates for Women's Rights

Child Marriage in East Africa: An Unacceptable Reality

Young women in East Africa face high levels of violence, discrimination and marginalization. Early marriage denies girls their rights to health, education, equality, non-discrimination and a life free of exploitation. In rural western Kenya, CES Canada continues to advocate for young women’s empowerment by providing equal opportunity for education. By encouraging girls to stay in school, CES demonstrates its commitment to influencing the community to stand against the practice of child marriage.

Students at Kakamega Muslim SS

Further to being a human rights violation, child marriage also undermines efforts to reduce poverty. There is a strong correlation between child marriage and girls dropping out of school. Girls are denied the education they need for their own personal and career development. There are also serious health implications. Medical complication during pregnancy is one of the leading causes of death and the mortality for newborns is 50% higher amongst this group. Although legislation specifically outlaws marriage under the age of 18 in Kenya, many marriages are performed under customary or Islamic law, which sets no minimum age. A high prevalence of HIV in Kenya means that young married girls are particularly at risk.

CES Canada has a Gender Equity policy where a minimum 50% of secondary scholarships are offered to girls. CES is also engaged in the betterment of education in six all girl secondary schools. CES provides a role model to schools that prioritizes young women.

Empowering girls is an area that CES Canada deems to be essential. During the past decade, CES female scholars have done well. Of the nearly 750 scholarships offered to girls, only 12 have dropped out. Of these, three were for pregnancies, two others were health related and one was a young girl whose family pressured her to marry before completing secondary school. The rest left school due to poor grades. On the bright side, female CES graduates are finding their place in post-secondary studies and there is every reason to believe they will be equal to or better than their male counterparts.

Post-script: GLOBALLY, THE PRACTICE IS DECLINING, ESPECIALLY MARRIAGE OF GIRLS UNDER 15: In 1985, 33% of women aged 20-24 were married before 18; in 2010 it was 26%. However, in real terms, the numbers are going up with increasing population – and will continue to do so without ACCELERATED progress. (RCS 2015)

CES Grad Eyewitness to the Tragedy at Garissa University

The loss of 147 beautiful young Kenyan university students was horrific. In the early hours of April 2 terrorists entered the gates of Garissa University undetected. A wave of evil swept through the dorms as many were preparing for a day of exams. Those who were gunned down had no chance, most were Christian. By 8am it was all over. The killers detonated their bomb belts taking their own lives.

CES Kenya graduate Milridah Ayuma Ominde was an eyewitness. She describes a morning of confusion and terror. By 5:30 am she was up preparing for the day. Finishing her toiletries she was about to begin her morning prayers and early morning studies. It was then she heard the shouting, the gunshots, people screaming, and she knew something terrible was happening. She grabbed her cell phone and ran.

"I ran down the stairs from the hostels/dorms to the field which is a distance away. The back of the university compound had not been fenced by wire and I managed to escape through the thorny bush fence. Beyond that was forest and desert. I ran and did not look back. After 15 minutes I found myself on a side street leading to Garissa Town. Other colleagues joined me as we found a bus leaving for Nairobi. As we got to the Tana River border patrol at the edge of town, the Somali bus driver demanded 500 extra shillings. He claimed it was danger pay because of the insecurity. Luckily for me a friend lent me the money and we continued the eight hour journey to Nairobi."

Milridah spent the next two days at Kenyatta Hospital comforting the injured students who had survived. It was her friend, CES graduate Doris Miroya who was able to track her down. Through Doris, CES Canada was assured that Milridah was safe. A few days later CES Kenya Director Rev. Nyanje met with Milridah and invited her to stay at his family home in Nairobi. CES Canada volunteer Karen Dahl had just arrived in Kenya. She and Milridah agreed to spend a few days of rest at the home of CES Sports Ambassador Gilbert Kiptoo.

Karen shares, "Gilbert and his gracious wife Sally made us welcome and provided much support and encouragement to Milridah during our stay at Ziwa. This provided the initial opportunity for Milridah to relax and get to know me. I knew the healing process has begun. Life on the farm provided the perfect healthy balance of quiet time for reflection, counselling and links with community activities. Gilbert introduced us at the private school of his brother, James Moiben, where we were given a tour of the facility. A visit to the Zurrie Flower Farm was a refreshing break and so stimulating to the senses. Gilbert and Sally invited us to attend the Passover Feast and service at their church and we had the opportunity to celebrate with them and their church community. It was an evening filled with fellowship, praises and joy.

Milridah also spent a few days at her grandmother's shamba. The home is located near to Ibinzo Girls HS and where Doris Miroya's family is from. She was greeted by her pastor and many friends who came to see her. It was a joyful celebration.

Prior to her returning to Canada April 30, Karen Dahl maintained daily contact with Milridah offering support, encouragement, and continued counselling. She helped Milridah deal with the impact of this event and to utilize some basic coping strategies. Due to the loss of close friends during the attack, Karen also encouraged her to remain connected with her other friends by phone and to consider attending the funerals of her colleagues who lost their lives at Garissa University.

Her closest friend Josephine Onyancha Nyaboke, age 21, was gunned down as she prayed in the Morning Glory chapel with other Christian students. Her other roommates Agnettah Chite and Lucy Nyambura were killed in their beds while sleeping. Milridah did travel to Butere with her friend Florence to join other mourners at the funeral service for Agnettah. She shared that it was sad but that she felt Agnettah was at peace.

Overall, Milridah has been connected with her friends and family and is coping fairly well. She is the secretary for the youth programme at her church and continues her commitments to her church community. She is staying in the home of her step grandmother and assists with chores and planting vegetables. Milridah has met with CES Patron Malik Khaemba, Chairman Ben Odoto and other board members to provide her account of the Garissa attack.

She has been made aware of the efforts made of the CES family to raise funds to assist her. During the CES Leadership Scholarship Interviews this past week, Milridah participated by greeting the candidates and assisting with the ushering of the participants to the interviews. She also addressed the group during the workshops, providing the new graduates with a role model exemplifying strength and courage through the most tragic of events.

Milridah at the CES Leadership Seminar

Other supports include CES Kenya board member Aziza Rajab. Aziza encouraged Milridah to remain active, continue with her church involvement and volunteer work at the school. In addition, Aziza followed up with a call Karen had made to the Kenya Red Cross inquiring about the counselling services for the Garissa students. Aziza has confirmed that Milridah was on the list for counselling and that a plan was in place to respond to her needs.

 CES Patron Malik Khaemba, Karen Dahl, CES Director Aziza Rajab

On Monday April 27th Milridah attended her first counselling session provided by the Red Cross at Kakamega. The students met together and then were divided into small groups with a counsellor facilitating each group. According to Milridah the session was successful. “We were allowed to talk everything about the attack and air out all views”, she said afterwards. It was also confirmed that she is to report to Moi University Eldoret on May 20th. Counselling will continue at the Golf Hotel twice per week up until the 18th of May.

At this point Milridah has expressed her willingness to apply to attend the Moi University campus to complete her second year of the BA in Education. She has a desire to remain close to home and near her former Ibinzo colleague Doris Miroya who is also willing to provide guidance and support. Milridah will benefit from continued follow-up from CES Kenya for encouragement, problem solving, emotional support, educational guidance and financial assistance to ensure a smooth transition into university life.

Milridah is a soft spoken young woman with incredible strength and courage. Her faith in the Lord is unwavering and her determination to complete her education for the betterment of her younger siblings is powerful. Milridah now 22, is a CES graduate from Ibinzo Girls HS. Achieving above average in the 2012 KCSE, she was invited to register at Garissa University. Her dream is to teach and at present she is in Year 2 of the B.Ed. English Literature course of studies.

She is one of 6 children. Her parents divorced when she was very young and she has never seen or heard from her mother since. Her father and step-mother raised her on the meagre products from the farm. School fees were managed, until her father became ill and died. At that time, she was in Form 3. Her father's death was distressing as she now was a total orphan. This impacted her ability to perform her best in school. Her focus was further disrupted when her step mother sold the family land and the shamba in which Milridah and her siblings had grown up. Her step mother went with another man and Milridah was left to support herself and two younger siblings. It was at that time that she was assisted by CES Canada with a full scholarship to complete her secondary education. She is concerned for her 2 younger siblings Melvine Achimbo in Standard 8 and Brancice Aylela, Standard 4. They are both living in separate homes with different relatives. Her father had instilled in Milridah that obtaining an education could improve her life so that she could help her siblings. He told her that he would not always be around.

Milridah is an exceptional young woman, an inspiration to us all. Despite her own situation of fear and uncertainty, she was ministering to and thinking of others. She writes, "I was lucky and I thank God He helped me to escape; however, I lost many friends and three room mates which is very sad for me. I thank CES because they have stood by me and encouraged me. I feel loved and cared for and I will be very happy if you (CES) continue to stand with me so that I can finish my education.

CES Canada and CES Kenya and the entire CES family will do just that. When one suffers we all do, at least in part. It's the least we can do.

Karen Dahl

CES Canada Associate

CES Graduate Confirmed Unharmed at Garissa University

Imagine the horror...in the early hours of April 2 while students were preparing to write their exams, 147 people were killed in an assault by al-Shabab militants on a university in north-eastern Kenya. Heavily armed attackers stormed Garissa University killing two security guards then firing at random on students. Four of the gunman were eventually surrounded in a dormitory, and died when their suicide vests detonated. Witnesses have confirmed that Christians were singled out and shot. More than 500 students managed to escape, 79 of whom were injured.

Many friends of CES expressed their concern about the tragic events happening in Garissa, Kenya. There is no way to describe how we feel about this atrocity. Vulnerable young people were killed in the early hours as they were rising to prepare for their exams. This is so tragic and it deeply saddens us. The face of evil hides behind the mask of hatred and intolerance.

Yesterdays' terrorist attack took place at the four-year-old Garissa University College, the region’s only higher education facility. Universities are the sites of discussion and debate and the transmission of values that groups may oppose or consider ‘Western,’ which is clearly the case with the attack in Garissa. Only 6% of Garissa county residents have attained secondary level of education or above, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics; most live below the poverty line. This is a very needy area that sadly has been infiltrated by those wishing to destroy Kenya's democratic heritage. It is also an area where Christians are openly persecuted.

I lived in Garissa for three months back in 2003/04. In fact, the seeds of our work in Kenya were sown in this place. There was no university in Garissa at that time. I considered the place relatively safe and I learned much from the people. Teaching at Garissa Boys HS and spending time in a number of Muslim schools gave me a strong sense of what it means for students to learn in such a place as NEP.

Travelling east and crossing the Tana River is like going into another country. The conditions are hard and the opportunities for education, especially for girls are few. It was later in 2005-06 when there were reports of Christians being harassed and churches burned. Slowly things have changed and I must say that today all of NEP is unsafe, especially for those who are Christian.

This news is grievous and it is a blight on Kenya, my adopted country. People do not differentiate between Northeast or West - without being informed they think Kenya is unsafe, not to be accessed for any reason. There are obvious repercussions for Kenya's economy. I have no concern about travel to Nairobi and from there to western Kenya. The social and economic environment around Kakamega area are so different from what we see in places like Dadaab, Garissa, Mandera and Wajir. Kakamega has always been a welcoming place for Canadians.

Our concern was for one of our former students who is actually attending the University at Garissa. She graduated from Ibinzo Girls HS in 2011 and is now in her third year in the Bachelor of Education program. CES supported Mildred Ominde for four years and she was a fine student. She is part of the CES family as an alumnus. Often with some of our students who have been orphaned from an early age, it is difficult to find contact information through direct family. Today we have just heard from CES Kenya and it has been confirmed that Mildred is safe and now at a shelter in Nairobi. We are grateful; yet, saddened as we think about those who died. Today the soul of Kenya has been wounded. We grieve the loss of these young people who died essentially because they were Christian.

May the message of Easter circle the globe to embrace us all

Michael Frederiksen

President, CES Canada

CES in Kenya - A Collective Impact Approach to Development and Aid

CES Canada - Committed to Making Collective Impact Work in Rural Kenya

The challenges facing people living in a rural area of 3000 sq km in western Kenya are massive. Lack of access to justice and children unable to attend school are compounded by high levels of youth unemployment, acute poverty, rising costs of food, unsafe water supplies and the continued scourge of HIV/AIDS. Over the past eleven years Community Education Services (CES) Canada has made a difference as it seeks to transform these unacceptable realities. A collective impact approach focuses on the goal to reduce poverty and enable secondary youth to attend school.

CES Canada is the “Backbone Organization” that creates a working environment for others in Canada and in Kenya to discover real time solutions and positive outcomes. To be successful, the collective impact depends on CES to identify a common agenda, establish a shared measurement, and create a team approach through effective and continuous communication. In our work, this means identifying Kenya’s critical need(s), creating awareness of the need in Canada, brainstorming for solutions in both Canada and Kenya, and creating strategies for fundraising. CES is also attuned to the need for fiscal accountability, communications to supporters and ongoing tracking analysis of its community outreach.

The results are worth noting. 26 CES associated schools,1500 scholarships enabling 450 students to achieve the KCSE; and, 1/3 of CES graduates engaging in higher education. A growing number of alumnus are now working in the areas of education, medicine, agriculture, nursing, technology and science.

In 2004 CES Canada undertook research in 30 schools across Kenya on the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the Kenyan school system. As a result, 4 schools in western Kenya were selected and 12 students identified as bright, needy and orphaned by Aids. With CES Kenya supervising the work on the ground, a key partnership evolved. An initial governance structure was put in place that gave CES status as a charity with Revenue Canada and later with the Economic and Social Development Division of UNESCO.

CES has taken part in two other research projects, the first at U of Massachusetts (USA) and the second at MMUST(Kenya). The former determined what locals were indicating their needs to be while the latter identifies and promotes better hygiene practice within school communities.

Ten CES constructed wells produce clean water to an estimated 15,000 people in these school communities. An estimated 3 million hours collecting water each year have been saved for more productive activities. Safer water means healthier learners who now have more time to study and achieve higher grades.

Musaga SS has been built entirely by CES and since 2010 has welcomed 440 students through its gates. Previously students were forced to walk 8 km in either direction to attend secondary school. A hydro project (2014) and this year a new Kitchen will make Musaga SS fully operational. Other infrastructure programs at Ibinzo SS, Eshitari SS, Navakholo SS, Shikoti Girls HS and Bishop Sulumeti Girls HS include a Dormitory, Library, Kitchen, and two Science Labs.

A unique partnership with UNICEF’s global WASH in Schools program encourages schools to create behaviour change and provide resources for hygiene management. Girls are supported through the CES Kenya PAD project, receiving training and resources for their personal hygiene needs. All students are provided anti-malaria mosquito nets and medical/healthcare support.

CES Kenya is providing ICT training and certification for students in a 2015 pilot project at St Patrick's Ikonyero SS. Participants create a personal resume and receive further Life Skills and prep training for post secondary studies.

Two Dairy Farm projects and working vegetable farms at St Mary Goretti SS and Bishop Sulumeti SS provide food to students in these communities. Effective collaboration with EAAPP (East Africa Agricultural Productivity Project) has made this possible. CES has also established a market garden farm at Navakholo SS. In 2010 CES initiated a Re-forestation program in honour of the life of Prof Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Through a unique partnership with Canadian based World Without Worms, a massive de-worming project in 2013 resulted in training, education and medical outreach for 50,000 primary school children.

CES has a special friendship with the Divine Providence Orphanage in Kakamega. Provision of school uniforms, a water well and education for high school students has given this place hope and encouragement. Canadian volunteers spend many hours assisting and caring for the babies, toddlers and the 120 children living there. Since 2007 CES Canada has created important Canada-Kenya friendships through the direct involvement of 60 volunteers to Kenya.

The CES Leadership Scholarship initiative will permit six top achievers to receive a full four year university scholarship. A leadership training component includes community service. Students will at the end of their studies be able to take their place in society as leaders and nation builders.

With the help of 26 elite Kenyan marathon runners CES created a global first, the 2013 CES Kenya 140km Peace Run (Kericho to Kakamega) and Peace Rally. The message of peace and reconciliation was heard by 20,000 people who were entering into a time of national elections. The annual Canada Day Run brings together 200 CES students who participate in long distance running at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

CES Canada has consistently focused on the need for Education, Clean Water, Health and Nutrition with emphasis on Gender Equity and Environmental Sustainability. CES has witnessed acute poverty, injustice and abuses against women and children in Kenya. There is a sense of urgency that drives the organization.

CES has grown incrementally as financial resources have allowed. Other partnerships have served to build the "collective impact"; these include a local university (MMUST), the national EAAPP Dairy Initiative, IPA International Poverty Action Group, World Without Worms, Kenya Ministry of Education, and school governing bodies at 26 secondary schools. These partners are key to making progress against urgent and complex problems.

Funding is critical to reach target goals. In 2014 CES Canada received significant funds from The Peter Cundill Foundation. With its emphasis on promoting the health, education and well being of young people, the Foundation honours the legacy of renowned Canadian philanthropist, F. Peter Cundill. As a result, CES has increased its outreach and impact by creating 100 new secondary scholarships and support for 20 university students.

CES Canada continues to depend on individuals who share Vision R2E (Right to Education) for youth living in Kenya. Small business, community and school groups in Canada as well as local service clubs provide support for specific events and projects. CES seeks to discover new sources of interest from venture philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.

CES Canada depends on a "Collective Impact" that involves a variety of people who are passionate about human rights in developing countries and who care deeply about the plight of young people in rural Kenya. It acknowledges and appreciates the fact that caring Canadians have sacrificed time and finances to create positive change. The fact that Kenyan partners have enthusiastically responded and have worked so hard to enable Vision R2E is inspiring.

Social change takes time; yet, its effects can be felt over two to three generations. CES believes in the "seven fold" multiplication factor where young people helped will in turn reach out to better the lives of seven others. The collective actions of hundreds of Kenyan students lifted out of poverty cannot be underestimated.

The question for CES comes down to one basic element: when CES withdraws and is no more, has it left any evidence that social change and increased education opportunity have occurred? When the backbone organization ceases, will there be another locally run aid group to take its place? When Kenyan partners disband, will they say "we did it together"? That is the goal, the prize, the calling to which CES Canada is committed to achieving.

Education is Key to Change

“Providing Hope through Education”

CES Canada (est.2004) is committed to providing access to education for secondary school youth orphaned by the HIV/Aids pandemic living in rural Kenya. In 2015 CES supports 300 students with tuition, healthcare and daily nutrition. 24 school communities are strengthened through clean water and other infrastructure building programs designed to create better schools and healthier learners.

Humanitarian Outreach Based on Research

The foundations of Community Education Services (CES) Canada are Education, Water, Health and Nutrition. These cornerstones are confirmed through a decade of experience in the field. In addition, CES has been directly involved in  six research projects within school communities in rural western Kenya. An assessment model for determining community needs shows key priority needs  to be more schools, quality education, clean water, health, nutrition and opportunities for youth employment.

Additional research initiated by CES defines goals and strategies that improve the lives of Kenyan youth. A 2004 “Impact of HIV/Aids on Kenyan Schools” defines the reason why CES exists to assist orphaned youth. A 2010 “PAD Project” outlines the problem of absenteeism and the need for girls to receive education and feminine hygiene resources during their menses.  A 2011 “Need for Tertiary Student Loans in Kenya” highlights the pressing need of KCSE grads having limited funding available to pursue post-secondary education. A 2013 “CES Kakamega De-Worming” research project provides the structure for education, training and medical outreach program impacting on 50,000 children in the Kakamega/Navakholo communities of rural Kenya. In 2015, a “Water Management:Health and Hygiene” research project is being conducted in partnership with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

Responding to International Dialogue

In July 2013 CES Canada was granted Special Consultative status with United Nations through the ECOSOC (Economic and Social Development) Branch of UNESCO.

CES Canada has partnered with the UNICEF Wash In Schools (WinS) program, a global focus on health education, clean water and personal hygiene.  CES also contributed to an international dialogue through UNESCO on “Making Education a Priority in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.” This UN report outlines why a focus on equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all is critical if we are to overcome current and future political, economic, health and environmental challenges.

Priority areas for CES are that all girls and boys have access to and complete quality secondary education; and, that these youth, particularly girls and women, have access to post-secondary learning opportunities that develop knowledge and skills relevant to work and life.  The fundamental areas of education, health, water and sanitation, gender equality and equal access for disabled youth remain critically important to the work of CES Canada in Kenya.

Continued Focus on Reducing Poverty

Since 2010 the United Nations in partnership with governments and civil society has included organizations like CES Canada in crafting the next development agenda. It is clear that although significant progress has been seen in the 2015 Millennium Development Goals; the desired  outcomes have not been met.

There are pressing issues facing the world of today: ending extreme poverty, ensuring that women enjoy the same rights as men, making sure children don’t die of preventable diseases and combating the negative effects of climate change – all in the context of justice and freedom from the ravages of war.

Effective poverty eradication strategies need to recognize the interconnections between various aspects of poverty. Poverty is made up of factors that together deprive people of their rights and freedoms. Malnutrition, poor sanitation, lack of clean water and no electricity are daily reminders of what people in rural Kenya face. These realities reflect the realities of poor health, lack of education, inadequate living standards, environmental degradation, gender discrimination, violence and lack of access to justice.

The practicalities of eradicating poverty remain daunting at best. The most vulnerable are the children. Always depending on adults, they suffer greatly when caregivers live in acute poverty. Powerless and without a voice, their choices are limited to meeting needs for basic survival. The way forward remains largely in the domain of education, for it is here that minds and hearts can be shaped and values, skills and attitudes molded into something positive.

CES Canada – A Part of the Solution

The work of CES Canada in Kenya may appear to be but a small drop of medicine in an ocean of good intentions. The HIV/Aids pandemic has produced the phenomena of “children raising children” and “grandmothers raising children.” There are 1.2 million orphaned children under the age of 19 years living in Kenya; most cannot pay the school fees necessary to attend school. CES Canada’s scholarship program includes paying tuition and providing basic healthcare and nutrition for 300 secondary school students. Daily feeding programs, improved sanitation through Wash In Schools Program (UNICEF), access to clean water, PAD feminine hygiene education and provision of treated anti-malaria mosquito nets help each student to become brighter, better learners – all this for under $1/day.

The ability of our CES graduate students to enter college and university is limited to available financial resources. CES has provided partial funding for some who have demonstrated exceptional learning skills. In 2015 a CES Leadership Scholarship has been established through the support of the Peter Cundill Foundation.  Five talented CES graduates will receive a full scholarship to attend a Kenya university.  

CES Canada is involved in a “seven-fold” strategy where needy, orphaned students receive scholarships and support in their education. This means that on average one CES graduate will help seven others to achieve their education. Families and communities are strengthened as these Kenyan youth find ways to rise above the grinding poverty they face.

Mobilizing youth to create stronger communities is a not only relevant for the work of CES, it is indeed necessary. In 2014 the CES Alumni group was established. Their aim is to create scholarships for needy students, helping others as they were helped. Students at MMUST (Masinde Muliro University in Kakamega) are involved in community health research in CES associated schools.  A CES team provides life skills and ICT training for those applying for higher learning.

In a world where 800 million people go to bed hungry each day, where 1 billion people live on less than a dollar a day and where 600 million children live in absolute poverty, CES Canada continues to bring hope to school communities through its unique work in rural western Kenya.