What is Moja Tu’s mission as a nonprofit organization?
Our mission is to end the cycle of poverty through educational opportunities for young students who have financial needs, are strong performers, and are willing to work hard and change their lives forever. We see education as a beacon of hope, enabling the hopeful youth to find a stable job once they finish school and will allow them to provide for themselves and give back to their families. We wish to partner a sponsor with a student and develop a one-on-one relationship that will go beyond just the financial support but a lifelong relationship. We recognize that there are many problems in the world that need to be addressed, and we’re looking to make a small impact, one sponsor and student at a time. Just One.
What are Moja Tu’s key accomplishments?
We have made a tremendous impact over the last (almost) 9 years and have been able to fund over 1,000 years of education for students in need. Our primary focus is high school, which is not freely available in Kenya. As they graduate from high school, we assess their performance, and for those that perform exceptionally well, we consider them to continue their educational journey into university. We have 38 students in university this year, which is our largest class. In addition, we have 27 alumni who completed their education through Moja Tu and are now actively engaged in the working world and their communities. Two of the students, Edwin and Esther, are now Program Managers working for Moja Tu. It’s incredibly gratifying to see these young individuals grow and see them fulfill their full potential.
What are you most thankful for in 2021?
A few things come to mind. First, we’re grateful that schools in Kenya are back in session. They were closed down from March 2020 through December last year, which was difficult for the students and their families. Unfortunately, there were limited options to continue education during that period due to lack of access – electricity, internet, computers, etc. Remote learning was not an option for the majority of the student population. Second, I’m grateful for the health and well-being of our students, children’s home partners, principals in schools, and teachers. Vaccines are now readily available to 18+, and all University students have been fully vaccinated.
What is Moja Tu looking forward to as you head into 2022?
2022 is a milestone year for us, one where we’ll have two classes graduating from high school due to the compressed school schedule, one in April and the other in December. As a result, we’ll have a record of 74 students graduating from high school. I’m hopeful that many of these students will be able to continue to university and continue to follow their dreams. We also have five students finishing university, and one of the goals for us as an organization is to help them secure a job post-schooling to ensure their continued success.
Moja Tu will be turning nine years old in 2022; what is your proudest moment as the organization’s founder?
It’s been a tremendous journey over the last nine years. I’m humbled by the outpouring of support from our donors, sponsors, and friends. We initially targeted to have 20 students sponsored as the ultimate goal for the organization, but here we are in 2022 with 168 students. It certainly makes me proud to see how far we’ve come and how many lives we impact. I’m passionate about being able to help make that connection between the student and their sponsor and be a conduit to helping change people’s lives forever.
What keeps you going?
The need is so great. I know that these young students and parents rely on other organizations and us to help end the cycle of poverty through the gift of education. We know that education is the key to a life-changing opportunity that will allow them to transition into providers one day. So when a bright, needy student is interviewing for sponsorship, how could we possibly say “No.” The greatest joy we get is seeing these young students succeed and helping facilitate making their dreams come true.
What are the different ways people can get involved and support Moja Tu?
We have many ways you could get involved; there are options to consider, including non-financial options.
- We’re always looking for penpals to write letters to students
- We’re looking for sponsors for the upcoming freshman class of 2022
- Simple ways to give are signing up for Amazon Smile or donating your birthday, and creating a Facebook/Instagram Fundraiser
- Donating either through stock contributions, company matching, or through our website and help us power the education rainbow – Power the Education Rainbow – Moja Tu
What sets Moja Tu apart from other similar organizations?
Moja Tu is a grassroots organization that started as a passion project. We wanted to maintain a connection with every donor and ensure that sponsors know precisely how their donation is being spent. We pride ourselves in transparency and ensuring that we maximize the donor dollar for the intended purpose. We believe in more than just donating; we believe in changing lives – both for the sponsor/donor and student. It’s about creating relationships and helping be the conduits of change. We believe that can happen with Just One life at a time. One Child. One Education. One Future. Just One