"Anthony (left, above with his mother Peninah and P2P's Leigh Anne Lionberger) and Mercy (left, below) were both severely burned during ethnic clashes in Kenya in 2008. One day their lives were normal and the next day their life was changed forever. Margaret’s family (Margaret, right, with Father James, above) owned eight cows, pigs, chickens and grew maize and vegetables. She sold what her family didn’t need. Peninah’s husband was a businessman and their family was prosperous. Within an hour or two their homes and everything they owned was destroyed. Both families ran to one of the local churches for shelter, but this time even the church was burned. Mercy and Anthony were two of the most severely burned in that fire. Margaret saw 14 year old Mercy burning and running for her life. Mercy was headed for the local hospital and ran for several miles before a good Samaritan picked her up and took her to the hospital. Margaret and her three other daughters (18, 7 and 2 at the time) stayed in a refugee camp for several months. The first week they had no blankets and just slept on the ground. UNICEF eventually provided food, etc. The two year old had health issues before the uprising and died in the refugee camp. Both Anthony and Mercy were hospitalized for months in Kenya and then sent to Shriner’s Hospital in Sacramento for more treatment which Shriner's provides free of charge. The Kenyan government pays for the house where they live and some living expenses. As I talked to these two mothers, I was in awe of their strength and courage. Margaret’s other two daughters are now 21 and 10. She has not seen them for a year and Mercy needs two more years of treatments. Peninah has two other children as well, Francis and Lilian, ages 11 and 8. Her son Anthony also needs two more years of treatments so it will probably be two more years before they are able to see each other. Even communication with their families is hard.
Peggy Lionberger, P2P Donor, from her blog. Peggy paid for Internet service and for Margaret and Peninah and their children, helping them to stay in touch with their families at home.
Francis and Lilian Mbuthia, ages 12 & 9 Francis and Lilian lost their home and livelihood in the 2008 ethnic clashes, and their brother Anthony was severely burned (see story left). Their mother is in the U.S. with Anthony while he receives treatment. They were separated from their father and walking a long distance to school, often with no lunch, when we brought them to St. Peter's Elite School, Gilgil, in January. Each child needs $1300 a year to complete their education.
About Our Fundraising Efforts As of August 15, 2011, more than 45 P2P Kenya donors contributed more than $10k to pay for the four kids featured here to go to boarding school, where they will are safe, nourished and educated. (Nancy, age 20, is going to a business college and lives on her own). In Kenya, there are three trimesters, beginning in January, May and September. Thanks to you, the January and May terms are paid in full! We are now raising money for the fall term, and preparing to bring six more children into our program.
About the Videos In January 2010, Father James Kairu and Anna Runkle traveled to Kenya to accompany these four children to their new schools and to pay for tuition, uniforms and supplies. These videos were taken on their first day.
Milka Multhoni, age 10 Milka Muthoni, Tuition paid through April 2011 Milka's family lost their home and livelihood in the clashes. One daughter was severely burned, and one died soon after. Milka is now safe at Good Samaritan
Academy in Nakuru and needs just $600 to finish Summer and Fall terms this year., and $1320 a year thereafter to complete her education. UPDATE: MILKA HAS A SPONSOR!
Nancy Waimathi, age 21
Nancy Nancy Wamaitha, age 21 (Milka's sister, above). In January, we helped Nancy begin a two-year business course at Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology. Friends of Kenya payed her registration, tuition and meal expenses for the first of six terms. Nancy needs $1000 to complete the two year program. UPDATE: NANCY HAS A SPONSOR!
Margaret’s family (Margaret, right, with Father James, above) owned eight cows, pigs, chickens and grew maize and vegetables. She sold what her family didn’t need. Peninah’s husband was a businessman and their family was prosperous. Within an hour or two their homes and everything they owned was destroyed. Both families ran to one of the local churches for shelter, but this time even the church was burned. Mercy and Anthony were two of the most severely burned in that fire. Margaret saw 14 year old Mercy burning and running for her life. Mercy was headed for the local hospital and ran for several miles before a good Samaritan picked her up and took her to the hospital. Margaret and her three other daughters (18, 7 and 2 at the time) stayed in a refugee camp for several months. The first week they had no blankets and just slept on the ground. UNICEF eventually provided food, etc. The two year old had health issues before the uprising and died in the refugee camp. Both Anthony and Mercy were hospitalized for months in Kenya and then sent to Shriner’s Hospital in Sacramento for more treatment which Shriner's provides free of charge. The Kenyan government pays for the house where they live and some living expenses. As I talked to these two mothers, I was in awe of their strength and courage. Margaret’s other two daughters are now 21 and 10. She has not seen them for a year and Mercy needs two more years of treatments. Peninah has two other children as well, Francis and Lilian, ages 11 and 8. Her son Anthony also needs two more years of treatments so it will probably be two more years before they are able to see each other. Even communication with their families is hard. 
Nancy Nancy Wamaitha, age 21 (Milka's sister, above). In January, we helped Nancy begin a two-year business course at Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology. Friends of Kenya payed her registration, tuition and meal expenses for the first of six terms. Nancy needs $1000 to complete the two year program. UPDATE: NANCY HAS A SPONSOR!