Youth group helps Kenyan student finish school

A Kansas City youth group came to CFCA last week to stuff folders. But they ended up doing much more. They discovered a young man in Kenya who needed help in order to finish his schooling and they agreed as a group to sponsor him.

The St. Thomas Episcopal middle school youth group of Overland Park brought 19 boys and girls to CFCA as part of a summer community service project called Reaching Out To Community (ROTC). The youth, aged 11 to 14, spent the morning assembling folders that contain photos and information for CFCA children and aging waiting to sponsored.



As they worked, the question arose as to whether their youth group sponsored anyone through CFCA. When Katie Knoll, youth director, and Rev. Gar Demo, rector, asked whether they would like to begin sponsoring, the immediate answer was “yes.”

After the youth group finished stuffing folders, they went to the office of Rev. Kelly Demo, the wife of Gar and a CFCA preacher. She showed the students the Walk with the Poor Web site, featuring young people overseas who need help.

The group voted to sponsor someone in Kenya and then chose Titus after hearing his story. Titus, 19, is studying accounting and hopes to graduate in 2012 so he can help his large family emerge from poverty. After Titus’ father died in 2003, relatives forced the family from their land and they wound up in the Mathare slums. Violence that erupted following last year’s contested presidential election in Kenya caused the family to lose everything.

By choosing to sponsor Titus, the St. Thomas youth group agreed to raise $30 each month until they reach a total of $1,590—the amount Titus needs to finish school.

How will the group raise the money?

“Every time you come to youth group meetings instead of buying a Coke, you’ll give the money to the CFCA fund,” Knoll told the group.

One of the youth members, Carson, pointed out what she liked most about the group’s good deed.

“It’s knowing I’m going to help a child who needs food and shelter,” she said.