Celebrating
Years
The Founder’s Re lection
Dr. Solomon Mwangi (Right), with co-founder Henry Rugendo (Centre) and Founding Chair, Pastor Martin Mbandu (Left)
I
t all started one morning in September 1996 giving a ride to a village boy neighbour, taking milk to the market. Being a weekday, I inquired why he had not gone to school. He responded that he had dropped out of school, in Form-1 due to lack of school fees. That got me thinking and wondering what should be a Christian response to such a situation. As I drove to my work, the situation preoccupied my mind with several ideas of starting a Christian Trust or Foundation that would raise money for secondary school scholarships to needy students. On re lection, I have no doubt in my mind that God inspired me to get Edumed started. Thereafter, I shared the idea of starting Edumed with Henry Rugendo, a work colleague and Pastor Martin Mbandu. Both fully supported the idea. We coined the name Edumed, an acronym for Education and Medical as we also planned to support needy patients with medical support. The medical side of Edumed has never taken off, and I believe the lesson is to stick to what God has called you to do. In a country which is unfortunately known for corruption and mismanagement of public resources, we were aware that publicly raising funds would draw scepticism. So we led by example and laid a Christian foundation based on James 2:26, which state that faith without action is dead. The overall objective of Edumed is to preach the gospel of Christ to the needy in our community through practical love that responds to their educational need. To get the Trust started, Henry and I opened a joint bank account where we committed to save part of our monthly income. During the same period, we started the registration formalities of the Edumed Trust. In the Edumed constitution, we made it clear that none of Edumed Trustees or employees and their families would be bene iciaries from the Trust. In 1997 with the limited savings we had, we picked our irst bene iciary Grace Wokabi. This was followed by two more students in 1998, and by the time we went public to fundraise, we were already supporting four students. We had great ambitions of building a Kenyan Christian Trust, fully supported by Kenyan Christians. The early fundraising dinners were always illed with anxiety as we never knew who would turn up and what would be their response, but every time God surprised us. Over the years, we have interviewed several students, to select the bene iciaries. Such interviews are always emotionally draining and often tears are shed silently (silent sob) when one comes face to face with poverty, and often torn between whom to pick or leave. The young primary school students most of the times come dressed in rugs and a bit timid not knowing what the future holds, and to many, Edumed is their last hope. Years later, it's always so ful illing when you are greeted by young bright , con ident and enthusiastic university or college students, and they have always to remind you they are Edumed bene iciaries. This encourages me to keep on giving more to Edumed. The greatest joy and satisfaction is seeing Kenyan Christians owning the Edumed vision and are running with it with none of the founders on sight. To this we give God all the glory and our prayer is that Edumed will still be alive when Jesus returns. It's Jesus Himself who said that the poor will always be with us (Matthew 26:11). Edumed has always operated on faith, sometimes with no money in the bank. Over the last 20 years not a single Edumed student has dropped out for lack of school fees, proving God's faithfulness. God only calls us to be faithful, for He is faithful. All glory to God.
Re lections from partners and friends
Cake Festival
Be part of The Cake Festival 2017 For more information:
info@Cake-festival.com thecakefestival The Cake Festival
@cakefestivalke
heard about Edumed in 2012, when they came to CITAM Valley R o a d a n d m a d e a presentation. I believe education is important in this day and age. The fact that it is in service to God made me decide to start giving. I was in my fourth year going on ifth year at the University of Nairobi doing a BSc. in Civil Engineering. I graduated in August 2013 and have since upgraded my pledge to Edumed. Sometimes there are competing needs and I feel like giving up, but I think that I would be letting God down considering how much He has blessed me. I hope that we can even get the students through to University level. I am also an avid cake enthusiast and love The Cake Festival. It should continue for a very long time!
Marie & Dr. Yusuf Dawood Kodwavwal
Get involved: A family's legacy When I started helping out at t h e E d u m e d T r u s t a s a teenager, I never considered it volunteering. I only thought of it as giving assistance to the Andrea Lihumi volunteering management whenever they at a function needed help. Usually it was during the Student's Retreat where my family would help in preparing sandwiches for the students travelling back home once the event was over. Thus the name #TeamSandwich was bestowed upon us. Years later and two generations ongoing, my family and I are still at Edumed helping out, now be it at The Cake Festival or other functions. Someone once asked me “why Edumed?” My response was; why not Edumed?” Here you have the opportunity to learn what it is to be a volunteer in every sense of the word. You may not yet have the inances to sponsor a student or assist the Trust, but you can give your time. Spending time with the students is the best part for me; hearing how far they have come and how Edumed has helped their dreams of completing school come true. It is truly heartwarming and also humbling knowing that what one are doing is bene icial for the students and Trust. I thought that by volunteering at Edumed, I was helping the trust grow further but the favour was duly returned through the interactions I forged and still bene it from. So I pose this question to all: If you were willing and ready to volunteer your time anywhere, what is the worst that could happen? My take: You could end up enjoying yourself, loving the work and gain a new family… just like I did. Andrea Lihumi
ALUMNI UPDATE
Dr. Solomon Mwangi, Founder, Edumed Trust
The
I
We congratulate Edumed on its 20th anniversary. In our view, the Trust is doing a magni icent job helping needy young people with merit to obtain quality secondary education and help our beloved country to raise man and woman power, which it badly needs. It is nice to see that we are not only facilitating a cadre of highly educated people but also creating God fearing youths who will clean the country of corruption and inequality. We send the Edumed Trust our best wishes to continue the valuable service for many more years.
Dr. Brenda Musungu, newest doctor in town, from our Class of 2006
We are honoured to count the following organisa ons among our generous partners
June: The Cake Festival August: Students Interviews October: Annual Dinner
DONATE NOW M-pesa, Pay Bill No. 531200 Airtel Money 0788-551 119 Edumed Trust
Remitting your donation to Edumed Trust This can be done in the following ways:: o Direct deposits of funds into our Edumed bank account, then send us a copy of the banking slip to update our records. o Pay by cheque payable “Edumed Trust” and send to our office or call us to collect. o Effect a standing order to your bank to remit regular payments to Edumed accounts. o Sending your contribution through our M-Pesa Pay Bill No.531200. o Online by various modes including credit cards through our website donate button.
Bank Account Details Edumed Trust, Standard Chartered Bank Karen Branch. A/C No: 01028 183022-00 Swift Code: SCBLKENXAXXX For more information, Please write to: The Trust Secretary, P. O. Box 1025, 00502 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 020 3001201, Mobile: 0710-551119, 0788-551119 M-pesa PayBill No.531200 Email: info@edumedtrustkenya.org Url www.edumedtrustkenya.org
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Edumed Trust We wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2017
ANNUAL NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2016
Celebrating 20yrs of God’s Faithfulness in all seasons
MyStory My name is Kelvin Obiti. I was born in 1992 in Kemeloi, Nandi County. When I turned one, m y m o t h e r h a d t o l e a v e m e u n d e r m y grandmother's care as she travelled from place to p l a c e l o o k i n g fo r wo r k . I l ive d w i t h my grandmother for the next 10 years. She took very good care of me and ensured that I attended school and lacked for nothing. She was also a strict disciplinarian who never hesitated to correct me anytime I did wrong. To date, I appreciate all she did and sacri iced for me.
A glimpse of year 2017 Trust Ac vi es March: Application Review April: Students Retreat
@edumedtrust
Years
EDUMED TRUST
Abbie Ndanyi (One of the youngest partners)
Morris Njogu, Class of 2010 graduated this September from Moi University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management
Halleluya Rubera from Class of 2013, currently a student at Wellesley College, USA speaking during the students retreat
Celebrating
Edumed Family
FROM THE CHAIRMAN'S DESK It has been a wonderful privilege to be a part of the Edumed journey and as we mark our 20th Anniversary this year, we can truly celebrate God's faithfulness in all seasons. Our mission has been “Transforming lives through the gospel of Christ by practical demonstration of Christian love in meeting Education and Medical needs of the poor.” It has been a journey birthed in simplicity of faith, sustained by faith in God and his provision and has impacted lives and families to the glory of God.
Going forward we will continue to build on four pillars of Resource mobilization for sustainability, Nurture through our scholarships and mentorship, Institutional capacity building and Partnerships. Our near term objective is to constitute a virtual one stream school annually. We will expand our Students Mentorship Program beyond our direct bene iciaries and also enhance our engagement with our partners as we seek internship and job placements for our bene iciaries who are in or have inished university or college. We will explore areas of engagement in the medical area which is our other arm but which has been inactive but focus primarily on health education to compliment our education arm.
I give tribute to our founders Dr. Solomon Mwangi and Henry Rugendo for planting and watering the Edumed seed, and together with my predecessor Rev. Martin Mbandu, for moving the vision beyond them and mobilising Christians and fellow Kenyans that to date nearly Kshs. 50 million has been contributed since Edumed's founding.
I appreciate the support of all our partners, the bene iciaries whose performances keep us motivated, their parents and guardians for wonderful partnership, the Trustees and Executive Board members beginning with those who served earlier for laying a irm foundation, and those serving currently for building well on it. I am grateful for our lean management team for their sel less service and our volunteers who enable us to punch above our weight. To you all I say Thank You. May God reward your service and sacri ice.
I also salute the many who have over these past 20 years upheld the ministry in prayer, given of their resources, both inancial and non- inancial, and helped transform lives of over 331 students over that period. We are particularly proud that some of our past bene iciaries are in turn now partnering with us to support other bright needy students. George Macgoye EBS, OGW We also thank God that Brenda Musungu from our Class of 2006, who was our irst bene iciary to receive a university scholarship outside the country, graduated from St. Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic in August 2016 as a medical doctor. The year 2015 was a particularly dif icult year as we experienced inancial constraints that forced us to drastically cut down on our students' intake as we took measures to stabilize our funding. While this has spilled over into the current year, we continue to expand our funding base and our fundraising initiatives have begun to bear fruit in 2016. Nearly half of our funding continues to come from individuals who give modest amounts consistently and we also continue to reach out to more partners including corporates to join in keeping the vision alive.
In 2001, I left my grandmother's house to go to my father's home which was just a few kilometers away. After a brief stay, I travelled to Nairobi to join him. He kept transferring me from one school to another to the extent where I studied in 5 primary schools within two years. My father later sent me to Mululu Boarding Primary school in Vihiga. I was relieved to settle in school. I sat for my KCPE in 2008 and scored 406 out of 500 points. At this time, I was living with my uncle in Huruma, Nairobi. I was admitted to Moi Forces Academy and my happy father promised to pay my fees and provide all that was needed for my secondary education. This was not to be. I was often sent home due to school fees arrears hence affecting my performance in school. It is one thing to go home con ident that you will soon be back as your parent will make all effort necessary to ensure the money you need is available; it is another to be sent home and know that you might never go back to school as you're not sure of where the money will come from. This situation greatly affected me and my performance in class started dropping. Sometime later, I came across an Edumed brochure and after going through it, shared it's contents with my uncle. He decided to inquire more about Edumed and once he con irmed they offer secondary school scholarships to bright needy students, I submitted my application for support. I was thrilled to be invited for an interview in their of ice. No words can describe my joy when I learnt that I had passed the interview and been accepted into the scholarship programme. One of the bene its of being under the Edumed Scholarship was the opportunity to attend their Annual Mentorship Retreat held in August. I had the privilege of attending 3 Retreats and was greatly impacted as I got to learn and exchange ideas with my fellow students from different schools. The facilitators and speakers who I met at the Retreats were also a great encouragement to me. I joined Chavakali High School in Form Three; settled very well and my performance started picking up. but soon it was a case of history repeating itself as my dad only paid one term's fees and I was back to being sent home regularly. I had not communicated to Edumed I had changed schools and hence was no longer under their sponsorship programme. After staying home for a while, I decided to go back to school without the required fees. There, I explained my predicament to the Principal who allowed me to continue with my studies without disruptions. After sitting for the KSCE in 2013, I scored a mean grade of A Minus and was admitted to Kenyatta University where I am currently studying for a degree in Health Services Management. I am currently in my third year of study. I remain eternally grateful to Edumed Trust for the positive role they played in my life. In the months of August to mid-September 2016, I was privileged to be an intern at Edumed where I learnt a lot. I shall continue to offer my support to Edumed when called upon and will be devoted to offer my skills when needed.
Mr. John Gachara, NIC Bank Group MD (3rd left) presenting a cheque to Mr. Charles Njoroge, Edumed CEO (3rd right) lanked by Rosalind Gichuru, NIC Bank Director Marketing, Communication & Citizenship (2nd left), Irene Odiero, a guardian (left) and Lewis Warren Ochieng, Edumed Alumni ( 2nd right) and Elizabeth Waichinga, Edumed Trust Coordinator (right).
Thank you Edumed Trust for believing, investing in me and for your continued support. Kelvin Obiti
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead also” James 2:26
A WORD FROM THE TRUST SECRETARY & CEO A s I r e l e c t o n t h e Edumed journey thus far, I marvel at what God can accomplish with modest resources and a clear vision. The inaugural meeting to discuss what was to subsequently become Edumed Trust was convened on 2 n d A u g u s t 1 9 9 6 b y t h e founder Solomon Mwangi to share the vision. The Co-founder Henry Rugendo took minutes and Rev. Martin Mbandu chaired it. The others in attendance were Stephen Waweru, Paul Koinange, Peter Ondeng, Kisuke Nduku and Odhiambo Ogutu while David Gachanja sent an apology. They concluded their deliberations by agreeing to go and take time to pray and seek God's guidance on what part to play in the vision. Thus the foundation of the formal Edumed journey was laid culminating in the three informal of icials becoming the founding trustees. That foundation of seeking God's guidance has continued to date. We began the year with a time of corporate prayers as we sought God's leading and blessings upon the Edumed family. · In March, our Class of 2015 results were released with all 23students meeting the university entry mean grade of C+ or above as shown elsewhere. Of these 20 have since been admitted to universities and 2 to tertiary colleges. This has brought the count of those currently in universities since the Class of 2011 to 91 and to 12 for those in other tertiary institutions.
· Our interviews for students' intake took place in in April 2016 with 23 students qualifying for sponsorship but only 5 have been taken into the program due to inancial constraints bringing the total number of students being supported in 2016 to 70 (37 boys: 33 girls) in 55 secondary schools nationwide, and the tally of those supported by Edumed to 331. We plan to take into the program the 18 who quali ied for sponsorship in 2016 together with the 15 in 2015 as and when we secure the resources to support them. · We held the 7th edition of The Cake Festival on11th June 2016 at KWS Headquarters, Nairobi with nearly 70 bakers participating and over 3,000 g u e s t s i n a t te n d a n c e . T h e eve n t continues to grow in stature and attract new bakers, exhibitors and sponsors and the 2017 edition is open to all bakers and those in related services. We invite you to plug in with us in this unique fundraising initiative. · The 7th edition of our Students Mentorship Retreat took place from 25th-28th August 2016 at St. George's Girls Secondary School, Nairobi. It continues to be a key aspect of our nurture pillar and during the retreat we held the 20th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service with both partners and the founders in attendance. The Edumed alumni played a key role in planning and running of the retreat.
OUR CLASS OF 2015 RESULTS AND CURRENT PLACEMENT
Our Core Values: • Compassion • Dignity and respect for human life • Good stewardship and accountability • Integrity
We believe that: • It is more blessed to give than to receive • Knowledge is treasure • We are our brother's keeper • Practical worship of God is demonstrated through service to others • God has blessed every nation with adequate resources to meet the needs of its people
Lewis Warren Ochieng'
Utumishi Academy
2
Sharon Emma Chepkemoi
Kapsabet Girls High School
3
Cornelius Isaboke Nyarindo
Nairobi School
Girls in a discussion with mentors at the Students Retreat 2016
University of BSc. (Computer Science) Nairobi BSc. (Telecommunica on and Mul media Informa on Engineering) Kenya University of
A
84
A
81
A
81
JKUAT
Bachelor of Quan ty Survey Bachelor of Business Science (Financial Economics)
Wilson Wambua Musyoka
Utumishi Academy
A-
80
5
Samuel Isoe Ondiek
Njiiri School
A-
80
Egerton University
BSc. (Actuarial Science)
6
Timothy Kiage Miencha
Nyandarua High School
A-
76
Egerton University
BSc. (Sta s cs)
7
Benard Muhia Njogo
Aquinas High School
A-
74
8
Simon Onyango Malowa
Murang'a High School
B+
72
9
Jessica Wanjiru Ndua
Kiriaini Girls High School
B+
69
10
Regina Kasyoka Karuma
Pangani Girls School
B+
69
Bsc. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) JKUAT Bachelor of Technology (Journalism Technical University of Kenya and Mass Communica on) Meru University of Science & BSc. Information Technology Technology Muranga Bachelor of Commerce University College
11
Moses Wamari Oduor
St. Mary's School Yala
B+
68
Maseno University
Bachelor of Arts (With Educa on)
Technical University of Kenya
BSc. Counselling Psychology
12
Praxicedes Khaleya Chiveli
St George's Girls Secondary School
B
65
13
Rehema Juma Hamadi
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Sec. & Tech. Sch.
B
64
Moi University
BEd. (Arts)
63
Machakos University College
BEd. (Arts)
63
University of Nairobi
Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology)
Masinde Muliro University of Sci. & Tech.
BEd. (Arts)
14
Cynthia Katumbi Nzangi
Ikanga Girls High School
15
James Nyundo Mangale
Kwale High School
B B
16
Valary Semo
Nakuru Girls High School
B
63
17
Daku Alla Ale
Kyeni Girls High School
B
62
Barbara Nyambura Kamau Brian Onsogo Obwoge
St Mary's Girls Secondary School-Thigio Kenyoro Secondary School
B B-
60 58
Pwani University Kirinyaga University College Mount Kenya University
20
Frankline O eno Ochieng'
Kotolo Mixed Secondary School
21
Agneda Muhonja Ingu a
Kombeni Girls Secondary School
B-
55
Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences -
22
Jedida Koboso Galhaile
Christ The King Academy
B-
52
Kenya a University
23
Abdulahi Osman
Nakeel Boys High School
C+
51
Kenya Medical Training College
B-
57
BSc. (Dryland Agriculture) BSc. (Informa on Technology) BA (Security Studies & Criminology) Diploma in Clinical Medicine BEd. (Arts) Diploma in Nursing
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n the inancial year ended 31st December 2015, Edumed Trust raised over Kshs. 4.19 million (2014: Kshs. 5.24 million), with individual supporters contributing 61% (2014: 57%) of this amount. This is in line with Edumed's main fundraising strategy of mobilizing Kenyans to respond to the needs of the needy amongst them. The total expenditure was Kshs.3.69 million (2014: Kshs. 6.07 million) resulting in a net surplus of Kshs. 503,894 (2014: De icit Kshs. 833,813). The net surplus arose from increased grants and payment of accrued 2014 school fees of Kshs. 518,884 in 2015 as we committed ourselves to ful illing our unremitted fee pledge. Our Net Total assets were Kshs. 4.1 million (2014: Kshs.3.6 million) of which Kshs. 3.63 million (2014: Kshs. 3.65 million) is our endowment fund investment. Below is a summary of the funds raised and how they were expended:
EXPENDITURE
Guests visit a sponsor’s stand at The Cake Festival 2016
INCOME Individual supporters Grant income (corporates) Donations-in-kind Other income (net) Total
Students lead a praise and worship session at the 2016 Students Retreat
COURSE
4
INCOME
Bakers follow proceedings during The Cake Festival Pre-Event informational session
INSTITUTION
EXCERPTS OF 2015 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In pictures..................
A panel during the 2016 new students' selection interviews
AGG PTS
Strathmore University
19
Team Unga, The Cake Festival 2016 Title sponsor at the event.
MEAN GRADE
SCHOOL
1
18
To all our partners, I say thank you for your steadfast support, I salute our staff and volunteers for their sel lessness, the executive board and trustees for their wise counsel and their families for partnering with them as they serve. God richly bless you all. Charles Njoroge Trust Secretary & CEO
NAME
NO
Students follow a session during this year’s Students Mentorship Retreat
KShs. 2,573,728 1,509,890 114,000 (7,231) 4,190,387
EXPENDITURE School fees & student expenses Donated services Fundraising Administration & personnel Total Net surplus for the year
KShs. 1,304,010 114,000 289,465 1,979,018 3,686,493 503,894
Excerpts from inancial statements as at 31st December 2015 audited by WIA East Africa, Certi ied Public Accountants (Kenya). A service provided pro borno.
BY GIVING A MINIMUM OF KSHS 500 A MONTH YOU CAN HELP EDUCATE BRIGHT NEEDY STUDENTS