fundraiser

Home / Posts tagged "fundraiser"
Big Changes

Big Changes

Big Changes

Have you heard the news? Miruya Primary School (MPS) in Rongo, Kenya has seen some big changes – and there’s more to come!

Brick by Brick Fundraiser

Thanks to our incredible donors, EC completed our Brick by Brick fundraiser at the end of August, successfully raising the remaining $5,000 needed to build a new classroom at MPS. Building should start within the next few months and we can’t wait to update you about the progress!   

Children sit on benches outside
Students in outdoor classroom at MPS in January 2023

Four Classrooms

So, what else has been happening at MPS? In partnership with the school’s Board of Management, local contractors, and local parents, four of the current classrooms at MPS were painted, tiled, and had glass panes put in the windows. This was truly a collaborative effort by all parties – the windows were even installed pro bono by the contractors who helped tile the classrooms because they believed in the mission of EC and wanted the students at MPS to have safe and dry classrooms. How incredible is that?

Empty classroom building with holes in floor and dirty walls
Photo of classroom taken by Tracy in January 2023, before renovations
Children sitting at tables in newly painted classroom
Photo of classroom taken after renovations in August 2023

The Importance of Partnership 

One of EC’s main focuses is to work at the grassroots level in partnership with the local community. Without the knowledge and endorsement of local people, our projects would not exist. It is through constant collaboration and a shared caring for the welfare of the students that we get the job done.

Logo with two icons hugging
EC logo highlights the importance of togetherness

Stay tuned for our upcoming projects and updates!

Thanks for reading,

Tracy

High School Graduates

High School Graduates

High School Graduates

And just like that – in the blink of an eye – my “Kenya girls” have graduated high school.

Three girls smile for a photo.
Arianna Clark and Erin Elwell with EC’s Assistant Executive Director, Tracy Guion (June 2023)

Let’s Rewind

If you’ve followed EC’s blogs and announcements over the years, you’ve likely heard about Erin Elwell and Arianna ‘Ari’ Clark.  I met them when I visited their eighth grade English class to introduce a pen pal letter writing program between Harwood students and students in Kenya. Both jumped at the chance to partner with me on other EC endeavors, which led to the creation of a club called Harwood Students Making Change (HSMC).

Four girls smile for a photo.
Original HSMC Crew (left to right): Rachel Lepp, Tracy Guion, Ari Clark, and Erin Elwell (2019)

Harwood Students Making Change

HSMC, over the last few years, has implemented three fundraisers and raised nearly $15,000 to assist orphaned high school students in Kenya. The girls implemented a crowdsourcing fundraiser in 2019, followed by an online raffle in 2020. In 2022, HSMC led a Walk for Water fundraiser to raise funds for a well at Miruya Primary School. Because of the leadership demonstrated by these young ladies, there are students across Kenya who have been able to continue their high school education and Kenyan students who have been inspired to support their own peers.

Graduation Day

It was incredible to attend Ari and Erin’s high school graduation a few weeks ago and watch them walk across the stage. To celebrate their years of involvement and impact, the EC Board of Directors voted to make them Ambassadors of Everyone’s Child, a title and certificate I had the honor of presenting to each of them after they graduated.

While my “Kenya girls” have graduated from Harwood Union High School, I have no doubt that they will continue to make a difference in the lives of others during their college experiences. 

Left: Tracy & Ari; Right: Erin & Tracy

Erin and Ari are prime examples of what a lot of heart and never-ending motivation can accomplish. They have been such an inspiration to me over the years. And do you know the craziest part?

They’re just getting started.

Thanks for reading!

Tracy