As we anxiously await

Ann Wangoi

Benjamin Muu

So...we're anxious at Hamomi right now. We are awaiting the results of our Class 8 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam scores. Our 8th Grade kiddos sat for the exam in Nov. and results should be in any minute now. The exam is incredibly difficult and archaic and the only way for an 8th grader to move on to high school. Hamomi's 89% passing rate far exceeds the national passing rate, (sorry I don't have official numbers).

Clyford Muhemmbi

Faith Masitza

But that doesn't make this hurdle any less nauseating. A fourteen year old kid should be allowed to go to high school for nothing more than passing 8th Grade.

For our passing graduates, we are committed to sponsoring them to continue on to private secondary school (high school). It costs $1,000 a year to pay for everything: food, transportation, housing, school,

Harriet Agosa

Hesborn Angwenyi

uniforms, clothes, shoes, medical care, extracurricular activities...the works. Cheap, right?

But then our operating costs do grow every year as we have more and more students graduating and pursuing their higher educations. Our oldest kids just completed their equivalent of sophomore year of high school.

Linet Minayo

Mark Wekesa

 So here we go into three graduated classes, launching ever-closer to that exciting university education (hand-in-hand with that daunting university tuition) that looms large on the horizon.

If a student does not pass the KCPE, we require that student to repeat Class 8 at least once to stay within Hamomi.

Milton Chilali

Patrick Mainga

If they again do not pass the KCPE, we then explore alternative forms of education like technical school, although we strongly encourage them to again repeat Class 8. We have two graduates currently in hairdressing school who are ever eager to finish and move into the working world.

These pic are of the 12 newest grads. Whatever the results, we're

Sebastian Shavola

Trufena Muhonja

so proud of them. They face more than should be asked of a child, and they march on. I'd like to think I'd be as resilient as them had I been born into their situations, but I'm not that delusional. We can't wait to continue supporting them as they head towards adulthood. Send them all your most positive vibes!

Susie