Who am I?
My name is Tim and I work for an amazing charity called Kids Alive International, which serves some incredibly vulnerable children worldwide. We have three outstanding young adults in Kenya who, despite their challenging backgrounds, have made it to university. However, their lives would be transformed if they had access to their own laptop. This would not only assist them in their studies, but also in applying for jobs after graduation and navigating through life in general.
To raise funds for these laptops (priced at £450 each, including software and training), I am running in the Great North Run and the Great Eastern Run half marathons with the goal of raising £1,350. Any support you can provide would be greatly appreciated and will be used directly to 
purchase the laptops.
Who are Kids Alive International?
Kids Alive International are a UK Christian charity that cares for some of the world’s most vulnerable children, of all faiths and none. We do this by supporting about 40 projects in seven developing countries, all in some of the most difficult places in the world. These include schools, care centres, residential and foster care projects, family support and justice programmes, and so much more. We provide all round loving and holistic care for all of the children, with four clear goals for each one.
One of those goals is for the children we care for to be equipped for a life of independence and service.
What is our Independent Living Programme in Kenya?
Being orphaned or from an impoverished background is difficult enough, but trying to get through university without any meaningful family support is nigh on impossible. This excellent programme provides mentorship and practical support for some of the brightest young adults who have been in our care.
Our Independent Living Programme is designed to help children who have been in our care to attend further education once they have completed their main schooling; and in some cases, to attend vocational training. In Kenya, university places are available and the government will pay a large percentage of the fees, but not all of them. Nor are there grants to help fund living costs and course-related expenses such as books and materials.
As most of our children do not have any families and therefore no additional financial support, further education can be a struggle for many of the children who have been in our care.
Our Independent Living Programme provides funds for these students, empowering them to have a further education that can open up a whole new world for them. We work closely with the students and will have identified those who have the potential to get a degree.
Our staff get alongside these students and help them manage their lives during their further education, including money and possible part-time work.
We also provide an initial week-long life skills course for all of our ‘graduating’ residential children when they finish their main high school education. This takes them through crucial aspects of life such as managing money, the importance of hard work, possible careers to follow, etc, all biblically based.
Our Independent Living Programme has seen a number of young adults start off successful careers – teachers, doctors, a beautician, a baker, even a professional volleyball player – all testimony to a loving God who rescued them from the streets at a young age.
You can find out more about Kids Alive in this four minute video.
