Kenya

Kenya is a beautiful country, with enormous natural resources and fantastic tourist destinations: Mount Kenya, the Masai Mara, the Rift Valley, stunning tea plantations, and much more.  But its real beauty is found in its loving and innovative people.  Kenya achieved its independence from Great Britain in 1963.  It is a struggling sub-Saharan African democracy whose economy focuses on services, especially tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, and construction.  The population is just shy of 60 million people, with 5-6% unemployment officially, however, stable formal jobs represent only 15% of the employed.  One of the most challenging issues for Kenyan citizens, and especially children, is the high rate of poverty: in 2024, 38% of the population earned less than $2.15 per day.  Understandably, Kenyans view the education of their children as a key to beating the poverty cycle, for the children themselves, their families, and the country.

Why Catholic Schools Kenya?

Education is the key to Kenya’s future.  Primary school enrollment is just over 10 million; secondary school enrollment is over 4 million, which is quite a drop from primary school numbers. 

The Catholic Church runs about 8,000 primary and secondary schools in Kenya, which represents about a third of these schools in the country.  Catholic schools have strong academic outcomes and are often the parents’ schools of choice for their children.  But it is the relative expense of these private schools that prevent more children from enrolling.

Catholic Schools Kenya aims to defray these costs for as many children as possible.  We have started supporting children attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Meru and the Archdiocese of Nyeri.  Typical fees are:

New admission^#: 13000-16000 Kenyan shillings ( $100-125)

Academic year expenses*:  60000-70000 Kenyan shillings ( $475-550)

^#deposit, uniforms, misc.

*tuition, boarding, exam, school activities, ICT, fees

As you can see, for two years of schooling, the total expenses can range from approximately 120,000 to 140,000 Kenyan shillings, or about $950 to $1,100. This includes tuition, boarding, exams, school activities, ICT, and other fees, making long-term support, through Catholic Schools Kenya, essential for families seeking affordable quality education for their children.  Your donations will go a long way toward changing the lives of these wonderful children!

Officers

Eric A. Wiebke, President

Jennifer L. Wiebke, Vice President

Jean Hawley, Board Member and Director of Religious Education, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hampton VA  USA

Tax Information:

“The Foundation has been recognized by the IRS as an organization described in
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is classified as a private
foundation.  No goods or services are provided in exchange for your donation. 
Accordingly, your contribution is deductible to the extent permitted by applicable law.“

Regulatory Information:
State law requires that certain regulatory documents be made available to the public.
These are available on request.