a 2011 Hope College graduate from Churo, Kenya.
Together with his Hope colleague, Zach Trumble, Victor is paying forward the gift of education through the vehicle of the newly created Churo Education Fund. This fund helps children from financially disadvantaged families afford and attend school in Kenya.
Formal education is paramount for sustaining and improving the livelihood of communities such as Churo, but many must forego it. Families simply do not have the means. There are no government funded schools in Churo. Here, a high school education costs approximately $300 USD. Even primary school costs approximately $50 USD per year. By typical American standards, this is not much money, but for the majority of villagers in Churo these amounts are currently unattainable- unless someone steps in to help.
In February of 2008, while studying at Hope College, Victor heard from three friends back in Churo. Their tuition dollars had run out and they could no longer remain in school. With deep understanding and appreciation of the positive impact education was making in his own life and for the future of his village, Victor and his college roommate, Zach, heeded the call to step in. They sent e-mails to family and friends and traveled to local churches in Holland, MI, such as Lakeshore Vineyard and Third Reformed, where Victor shared the story of how God had blessed him through people who had helped him pay for school in Kenya and made it possible for him to attend Hope College. By April, Victor and Zach had secured over $3,000.00 in donations. This was enough to finish paying for the high school educations of Kiptoo, Minito and Mading- Victor's boyhood friends.
With assistance from Victor's pastor in Churo, Pastor Sambalat, the funds arrived safely and were distributed in a timely manner to make the dream of education for these three boys come true. All three are doing well in school. Pastor Sambalat remains in contact with Victor helping to identify potential students from the village, who need financial help to attend school.
One such case is that of 15 year old Churo resident, Loremoi, whose parents have both succumbed to AIDS. Loremoi dropped out of school to act as provider and father to his younger siblings. Victor helped make plans for his own mother, who lives in Churo, to care for Loremoi's siblings. The Churo Education Fund is making it possible for Loremoi to return to high school and for his siblings to enter primary school.
Victor and Zach, along with their support team, continue to promote the cause of giving the children of Churo a chance at education. The fund continues to grow. Third Reformed Church, serving the Holland, MI community for over 100 years, is partnering with their efforts by providing a secure account for processing donations.
In August of 2011, before going on to attain his Masters of Chemical Engineering degree at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, Victor will return to Churo for a short term teaching assignment. He will show students how to make simple water filtration devices to diminish disease in the community. Victor will also begin instruction on best agricultural practices for sustainable food supplies. He will encourage the well-being of Churo, not only by teaching practical life skills, but by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and of His great love for all people.
Follow our blog and watch what our wonderful God will do for the people in Churo, Kenya!
If you would like to support the Churo Education Fund with a donation, please make check or money order to Third Reformed Church and send to:
Third Reformed Church
111 W. 13th Street
Holland, MI 49423
(Don't forget to write "Churo Education Fund" in the memo box on the check or somewhere on the money order)
Tax receipts will be sent to all who donate.
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