Jill has sponsored several students through Moja Tu since its inception in 2013. She is not only a dedicated sponsor but also a valuable member of the organization’s marketing committee. Jill has also served as a board member. She recently spoke with us about her fulfilling journey with Moja Tu, including her experience meeting her sponsored children.
What inspired you to start sponsoring students?
I loved helping underprivileged children, especially young girls, get the education they deserve so they can take care of themselves in life and be completely independent. I am very fortunate to have parents who stood by me, encouraged me, and supported me. I know many of these kids don’t have that, unfortunately. So, the ability to offer that support and pay it forward was a no-brainer for me.
What has your journey with Moja Tu been like?
I’ve been a part of Moja Tu since its founding. I was on the board for about six years and am still actively involved on the marketing committee. While I was a board member, I had the privilege to go to Kenya and meet my students and many others in person. I was amazed at how smart and dedicated these kids are. It is incredibly fulfilling to watch them blossom!
Tell us a little bit about the students you sponsor.
I sponsor two young women. I started sponsoring each of them when they began Form 1, and both are now in university earning their Bachelor’s degrees. I could not be prouder of both of them.
What motivates you to continue sponsoring students?
I don’t have children of my own. I understand that I am fortunate in the US to have a good job and stable income, and I don’t have to worry about things that these kids worry about, like where my next meal will come from. However, knowing that sponsorship literally changes the course of these students’ lives is a fantastic feeling. I think it’s essential to give back and make a difference in a child’s life. I choose to sponsor girls because I know that women in many countries and cultures do not get the same opportunities for education and advancement that men might get. It’s crucial to me to empower young women to have control over their destinies.
Elizabeth, one of my sponsored students, was struggling in school and not making good grades, eroding her confidence. We had many conversations about it, and I suggested she repeat her form 3 (junior) year to make sure she was getting the most out of her education. She didn’t want to do that, so I asked her if we could transfer her. She agreed, which was a very mature decision. Once she did that, her grades and her confidence improved significantly. It was the best decision she could have made for herself, and now she’s in university earning a bachelor’s degree. I’m not sure she would have gotten into university had we not had the discussion. She knows she has Moja Tu’s support, and what I gave her was exactly what she needed.
One of your students, Gladys, will soon be graduating with a Bachelor’s in Procurement and Supplies Management. How does that make you feel?
I am beaming with pride at Gladys’ achievement! When I first started sponsoring her in form 1, she was so shy it was hard to communicate with her. However, over the years, I’ve seen her become more confident. Once she entered university, I saw her change from a shy child to an articulate, confident young woman and the difference was amazing. I have no doubt she will take charge of her life and be highly successful.
I look forward to continuing my relationship with her beyond Moja Tu to watch her journey through life and to be there if she needs me.
You have sponsored her through high school, diploma, and now degree. Why was it important for her to get a degree after attaining her diploma?
Given the unemployment rates in Kenya, I wanted Gladys to have every advantage she could have. It was important to me that she earned her Bachelor’s degree to compete in the professional job market. It also allows her to move to another country and be competitive should she decide to spread her wings outside of Kenya. Even outside the advantages in the working world, earning a bachelor’s degree gives her a sense of accomplishment and pride that I think is critical for her self-confidence.
How did you keep your relationships with your students alive over the years?
Every opportunity Moja Tu provides to video chat with students, I sign up and make sure I talk to both girls. We write letters as well. I ask questions about their lives beyond school, and they know about my life and family. My relationships have grown with both girls, and I know they appreciate the encouragement and support I give them when I tell them they can do anything they want to do in the world.
How was it meeting your sponsored children in person?
I was lucky enough to go to Kenya about four years ago and meet my girls and many other Moja Tu students. Both my girls came to the airport to meet us when we arrived, and the second I saw their faces, we all ran to each other and embraced. I loved getting to know them in person, and I would not trade the time I spent with them for anything. I think that an in-person meeting was a giant stride in our relationships, and I highly encourage anyone sponsoring a student who has the opportunity and means to go on one of the sponsor trips to Kenya and meet those kids.
What advice can you give to Gladys as she transitions into the corporate world?
Know precisely what you want for yourself and your life; stay true to that; be confident; and do not be afraid to look until you find it. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you aren’t capable, because I know you are. Make sure you get the respect you deserve. That’s the best advice I can give any woman in the professional world.
Will you pick another student now that Gladys is transitioning to employment? If yes, what will you be looking at in the next child you choose for sponsorship?
I will start sponsoring another student after Gladys graduates. I will probably continue to focus on sponsoring girls and would like to find one who is beginning form 1 again so I can be there for her throughout her entire education journey like I was with Gladys.
You are one of the longstanding sponsors of Moja Tu. What keeps you going with the organization?
Through the Moja Tu program, I know I’m changing someone’s life. My career is in Information Technology in the travel sector, and, let’s face it, nothing I do is “life-changing” in my career! So, to have the opportunity to spend the money and time to have this type of impact on another person’s life is rewarding beyond words.