How it started
In 2000 the founder of Koins for Kenya went on his first humanitarian expedition, joining another organization located in Kenya. He fell in love with the people and wanted to continue assisting them. He returned annually, taking his children, doing Eagle Scout and school construction projects. After discovering that only a portion of his donations were reaching the actual projects, Koins for Kenya was created so that 100% of donations go directly toward the projects.
Where we work
Koins for Kenya centralizes its operations in the South Coast region of Kenya. Initially we were only in Kwale County, but after meeting their immediate needs we expanded to neighboring Kilifi County. The villages we serve are only an hour’s drive from Mombasa, but the small communities consist mostly of mud huts, thatch roofs and very rough dirt roads. Bicycles are rare and vehicles are virtually non-existent. A series of small trails connect our villages. The area is very dry, receiving all its water in two “rainy seasons,” usually in June and again in October.
Unemployment is around 80% in the villages, with most families engaged in subsistence farming. “Absolute poverty” envelops 76% of the population, with average incomes of $3–4 per day. Only 6% of the population has some form of electric power at home. According to government statistics, over a third of our children have stunted growth due to malnutrition, since corn mush (ugali) is what is available and eaten daily.
Rainfall is their only source of water, since drilled wells usually yield salty water. Villagers commonly share small watering holes with livestock. They have no method of filtration, cannot afford purification tablets, and lack the time to collect enough firewood to boil water. Water-borne illness is one of the most serious health risks for nearly everyone in our villages.
Why schools
Education throughout Kenya is a vital component for anyone trying to escape poverty. Higher education is exceptionally competitive: there are only 31 public universities serving nearly 55 million people. By comparison, California has 40 million people and 280 colleges and universities.
Koins for Kenya began by responding to the most vital and immediate need: schools. When we first arrived, most classrooms were made of sticks and mud. Leaky thatch roofs and dirt floors left children sitting in mud during the rains, or in chigger-infested dust when it was dry. Test scores were abysmal. After providing comfortable facilities, updated classroom materials and basic supplies, test scores soared. After only a decade, 7 of the top 10 schools in the county were sponsored by Koins.
Scholarships
Education is free in Kenya through grade 8. Koins for Kenya began providing secondary-school scholarships to the top students, regardless of their economic situation. Our high-school students began to achieve results never seen before, and for the first time in history, students from our area qualified to attend university. Koins sponsored these students as they progressed, and some of them are now CPAs, engineers, doctors and teachers. The first girl from the entire area to attend university was documented here.
Built by the community
Koins’ schools are built by locals, so they not only build the communities where they live but acquire important trade skills along the way. Villagers dig the foundations by hand and help make our own cement blocks. We cut our own lumber and create our blackboards with special paint. One school pod (two classrooms, a pit latrine, a 35,000-liter water cistern and 60 desks) can be completed in less than four weeks.
Koins works with the government to hire qualified staff once our schools are built, so very talented teachers are provided at no expense to Koins. Koins has also constructed dams, hospitals, water cisterns and agricultural programs, balancing the delicate needs of our villages with their abilities.
“No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
