Meet Our Kenyan Community

Albert Odera was a young member of the Kojwach community, a recently orphaned 17-year-old whose parents had both died of AIDS. At his mother’s funeral, Albert stood up and claimed responsibility for providing for his two younger siblings. This meant publicly defying his grandfather, who wanted to take custody of the children in order to gain control of their land and home. Remembering his grandfather’s betrayal of their mother during her illness—upon learning she suffered from HIV, the man had refused to help pay for her treatments—Albert publicly refused any assistance from his grandfather.

Though shocked by his refusal, many in the community respected Albert’s act of courage, and decided to find a way to assist him in getting an education. TARA investors helped to secure a scholarship for Albert at a local school and community members assisted him in caring for his younger brother and sister. Albert was our first scholarship recipient.

Albert graduated from secondary school as one of the school’s highest achievers and most committed community members. He has gone on to gain entrance into one of Kenya’s most prestigious Universities. We are currently providing Albert’s tuition, room and board, making it possible for him to attend the School of Education at Kenyatta University in Nairobi. Albert plans to return to the Kojwach upon graduating in order to provide for his family and to give back to his community.

(Quoted from This is Good Work: Alyssa Lowe ’02 runs nonprofit aiding Kenya community, an article in the Bennington Alumni Magazine by Jen Hinst-White. http://www.bennington.edu/index.cfm?objectID=BFBADF7E-5056-BA14-23E3D5675E77A2D8)