Education Exchange Is a Reality!

Four of our KEEP-supported eighth grade students from the Kakenya Center for Excellence had an extraordinary visit to the U.S. last month!

When these girls traveled from Kenya to attend the Montessori Model United Nations Conference in New York City, they made history: This was the first time that participants in this international conference came from an African nation! A grateful shout-out to Andy Greene, a KEEP supporter and teacher at the Whitby School, who worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality.

On March 19th, KEEP hosted a reception and ice cream social at the Katonah Village Library, where an energized, standing-room-only crowd welcomed the girls, two of their program leaders, and Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya, the founder of the Kakenya Center for Excellence.

After the JJHS Notables kicked off the festivities with a delightful a cappella performance, Bedford Town Supervisor Chris Burdick presented the KCE girls with an official proclamation of honorary citizenship.

The highlight of the evening was a question and answer session led by the JJMS and JJHS KEEP clubs. With thoughtfulness and humor, the KCE girls described their daily lives in rural Kenya, shared their hopes for the future, and giggled about trying pizza for the first time.

To top off an amazing evening, donations from the event totaled $1,500!

After spending the night with Katonah families, the girls visited JJMS and JJHS where they toured the schools and attended classes with KEEP club members.

Learn more in The Katonah Lewisboro Times and at News12 Westchester.

Kakenya’s reflection on the visit affirms the special bond KCE shares with our community:

“The girls had a wonderful time and they learned so much. They really felt your community’s embrace… Thank you for loving these girls and working so hard to give them the education and opportunities that they deserve.”

Please help us continue to support these incredible girls and their classmates by making a gift today. Donate now.