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Rest In Peace Loving Son.
This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved son/brother/friend Kevin Kimani Chege, born in Nairobi, Kenya on March 23, 1982, moved to California, USA with his parents in 1988 and passed away on March 13, 2001 at the age of 18 in Richmond Hills, California- popularly known as The Bay Area. Kevin will be remembered and dearly missed forever. May his Soul Rest In Peace.
I love this song by Dolly Parton.
There's a land that is fairer than a day; And by faith we can see it afar; To prepare us a dwelling place there. In the sweet, by and by; We shall meet on that beautiful shore; In the sweet, by and by; We shall meet on that beautiful shore. We shall sing on that beautiful shore; The melodious songs of the blest; And our spirit shall sorrow not more; Not a sign for the blessing of rest. In the sweet, by and by; We shall meet on that beautiful shore; In the sweet, by and by,; We shall meet on that beautiful shore. R.I. P. son
WATCH RIPPLE EFFECTS at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLMj6T0VNtY
My Son. Taken Too Soon
How do I tell anyone who did not know him? Kevin was joy. He was a handsome talented young man full of life, love and joy. Always testing all the limits. He was beautiful on the outside and more importantly on the inside. He displayed maturity and insight far beyond his years. Being our first child, his birth was awaited with great anticipation. Just moments from my womb, as tiny as he was, he cried for only seconds, then stopped, and opened his eyes wide, eager to embrace this vast new world. I miss his love for life and curiosity. Kevin’s tenacious lust for knowledge led him to walk and speak his first words at the age of eight months. He had great appreciation for life. He became a big brother at the age of two years, and immediately assumed the role of mentor and protector of his little sister Pauline.
At 18 years old, he was well ahead of his time. His short life had impacted countless people in many positive ways. The condolence messages that were written and said are part of my consolation and inspiration when feeling down - and it tells it all. Kevin always lived life to the fullest. Kevin was well liked by everyone who knew him, old and young alike. In Kevin's world the word color in a human being did not exist. The tributes given to him by his former elementary middle school and high school friends and their parents, teachers and his Giant’s Baseball Little League Team’s Couch, who officiated a special memorial service for him confirmed that statement. Kevin’s greatest attribute was his kind heart. As a first time visitor in Seattle, Washington, we went to our first Sunday service, and as we got out of church, he disappeared without us noticing, only to find out after half an hour, he saw an elder lady on a wheel chair, struggling to push her wheelchair and it was raining heavily. He said he decided to push her so that she could get to her waiting special van faster, and as we walked to our car, we did not notice that he had detoured to the opposite direction. The lady and the van driver had to wait until the poor boy could find his family, which took us about half an hour panking and worried. Just before calling 911, we saw him next to a van and we walked over there with mixed feeling of joy an anger - typical parents. We will always remember his smile, bear hugs, love of life, love of people and his way of making everyone around him special. He will live in our hearts and minds forever.
He was taken from us too soon with no chance to say goodbye. We hold on to the thought that we will be with him someday. However, the intensity of the pain of loosing a child does not fade, but as his mother, I have learnt to focus on the beautiful life and presence Kevin gave me for 18 almost 19 years. I believe that even though his physical life is over, he’s closer to me now, than he ever was before. Not a day goes without thinking or talking about him. There are, and have been rocky roads ahead of me and many hills to climb; but I have managed so far by taking one day at a time, and one moment at a time.
Read more information loaded on each tab and see how great God has afforded family and friends to touch other peoples lives in tribute to Kevin....May God Bless You All in a Mighty Way........
When you listen to the song "USA for Africa" -
http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--2148636
you can't help not to answer THAT CALL - A BIG THANK YOU for helping a bright young child access education "Education is Knowledge as per "A Small Act Documentary". - Thanks for answering it thru KKSF Foundation!!!!.
KKSF SCHOLARS HIGHLITES IN 2011
Jeremiah joins Nairobi University - Mechanical Engineering
Samuel joins Nairobi University - Dental School
Alvin excels at University of Iowa, USA - 2nd year double major student Pre-Medicine and Computer Science majors
Caroline graduates from Kagumo Teachers College - Math and Business Studies
James join Kenyatta University - Community Resources Management
Awaiting to know where they are
Jackline -Awaiting KCSE results Feb 2011
Jennifer
Agatha
Angeline
Mwikali
Kevin
Walter
UPDATES JANUARY 2011. THE OLDEST KKSF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT (CAROLINE W. NGAMAU - see album) GRADUATES FROM KAGUMO TEACHERS COLLEGE WITH A DIPLOMA IN MATHEMATICS AND BUSINESS STUDIES. THANK YOU SPONSORS. She is now teaching Math and Business Studies in small Secondary School. She plans to take classes at Jomo Kenyatta University to get a Bachelors Degree in the near future
Special THANKS go to Virginia N. Mwangi of Sacramento , California, who sponsored Caroline with her tuition for her first year at Kagumo College AND Erna Grasz and Mark Newton of Asante Africa Foundation, who sponsored her with tuition for her 2nd and 3rd (final) year. Read more. below.....
CONGRATULATIONS: The oldest KKSF scholarship recipient Caroline W. Ngamau graduated from Kagumo Teachers College with a Credit in Mathematics and Business Studies. She is ready to start a career teaching the same subjects to High School Students. She is also looking forward to enroll for a degree course. I happened to be in Kenya and was glad to attend the graduation ceremony on November 18, 2010 in Kenya . Guest of Honor was Prof. Francis J. Gichaga, Chancellor, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, who officiated the Conferment of Diplomas and Presentation of Awards. I was blessed to share with the Chancellor and other dignitaries of why I was there and how that particular student got there. He applauded the sponsors and urged us to continue helping our nation in whatever little way we can. I will upload a few pictures soon....
KUDOS AND HATS OFF TO KKSF YOUNGEST SPONSOR: WHAT A BLESSING AND A GREAT LESSON.
KAMAU son of WATIRI and KELLY - a six year old now from San Jose, California who is sponsoring a high school student (JOHN IRUNGU MUGURE - see album) through KKSF in Kenya since 2009. He does it AGAIN for the 3rd year and this year he recruits his younger brother Gachuhi son of Watiri and Kelly (4 years old).
The two boys have dedicated a portion of their last year's birthday presents from family and friends and requested them to donate to Kevin Kimani Scholarship Foundation among other charities in lieu of a birthday presents, so that they can pay school fees for a bright Kenyan student who happen to come from a poor family. WHAT A BIG HEART and a great lesson. Special thanks to Kamau and Gachuhi's parents (Watiri and Brett) and also to the families who chose to support the Kamau and Gachuhi thru KKSF: Anca M Vladescu, DDS (San Jose); Agnes Kamami (Hayward); Carolyne Kamami (San Lorenzo); Wanjiru Wanyeki and Mbugua Kamani (Hayward, CA). We sincerely appreciate.
CONGRATULATIONS: UPDATES FOR AUGUST 2010 - Sponsors - Your decision to sponsor a bright and financially disadvantage student continues to bless and follow them after high school. You also continue to be blessed when those kids count their blessings. You are part of their blessing. AMEN
ONE: Scholarship recipient Jeremiah Mwangi who graduated from Alliance in 2008 reported to University of Nairobi Dental School on August 23 as a first year student. He waited for university admission for 18 months. While waiting he reported teaching at his neighborhood high school as a way of sharing his gratitude about his KKSF scholarship as well well as hi attitude of success. He is majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He said (when he communicated with me to share his good news of admission and reporting at the university) - His performance, background and recommendation from KKSF earned him almost 100% scholarship/grant from the university system (Higher Education Loan Board)
TWO: Scholarship recipient Samuel Nyamai who graduated from Alliance High School in 2008 reported to University of Nairobi School of Dentistry on August 23, 2010 as a first year student. He also waited for university admission for 18 months. He is majoring in Dental Health. He is also a recipient of almost 100% scholarship/grants from university system (Higher Education Loan Board.
THREE: Scholarship recipient Jimmy Gitau who graduated in 2008 from Thika High School reported at Kenyatta University on August 23, 2020. He plans to pursue a BSc. in majoring in Community Resources Management. Feel free to email me to provide their contacts to contact them from time to time and encourage them. They value KKSF sponsors greatly and I am glad they have kept in contact with me during the 1.5 years they have been waiting to join the universities. I am awaiting to hear from the rest four ( one boy and three girls). Keep checking for updates.
HIGH SCHOOL
The two students at Precious blood are doing great.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--2148636
DECEMBER 2009 KKSF UPDATES:
KEVIN KIMANI SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION (KKSF)
3400 Richmond Parkway, Suite #1012
Richmond, CA 94806
Tel: 510-758-5351 or 510-334-5491
Email: kevinklove2001@yahoo.com
http://kevin-kimani.memory-of-com
©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©
December 2009
Dear KKSF Sponsors and Supporters:
Kevin Kimani Scholarship Foundation (KKSF) take this opportunity to wish you - esteemed donors, supporters, volunteers, scholarship recipients and families a very Happy Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year with bright beginnings. Thank you for your continuous generosity and support which has enabled eight high students successfully pursue their education throughout 2009. 2009 has been financially bumpy but together we still managed to make a difference. Our Motto, even if it is one student at a time – it make a different.
Thank you for being part of positively touching lives of about twenty successful students, not to mention the joy and pride you have given their grateful families, teachers and communities at large as well as the gratification we feel. Below are some milestones and success stories that we expect to hear and be gratified that we are a part of:
Two of the KKSF graduates /alumni are now pursuing university/college education in USA and in Kenya. (Alvin Pewa, a Computer Science and Pre Medicine major and the first KKSF scholarship recipient and graduate (2005-2007) has set the pace for those who will follow his steps. He received the Collegiate Rhodes Dunlap First-Year Award and First-Year Dewey B. Stuit Award this year at the University of Iowa: http://honors.uiowa.edu/people/fame/scholars/honors/Dunlap1.shtml. • Six of the students who completed high school in December 2008 (3 boys and 3 girls) have been accepted to local universities that include Nairobi University, Kenyatta University; Jomo Kenyatta University and Moi University. They are embarking to start in summer 2010. Unfortunately Kenyan education system has a one and half year waiting period between exit examinations and joining university unless one can afford or acquire private scholarship to join the private wing.
• In 2009, we sponsored Eight students, and one of them graduated in December 2009
• We currently have seven students in several high schools (Alliance High School, Precious Blood Secondary School, Nyahururu High School and Ndakaini Secondary School who will need financial support to continue with their education in various grades in 2010.
Without your financial support that enabled our past graduates to stay in school, focus and concentrate on their education, they would not have accomplished what they have. Their high performance (KCSE results) as reported via KKSF update email/newsletter in March 2009, have won them partial and full merit scholarships/government funding to pursue university education.
Once again Thank You. Your continued support of KKSF is highly appreciated. We are really honored by your generosity in every capacity. Everything counts.
Special Thanks to Five-year old Kamau Kelly (Watiri and Brett Kelly’s son) of San Jose for opening KKSF donations door by choosing KKSF as one of three projects that he would like family and friends to donate 50% of the cost of what they intend to give to him as a present this month. His wish is to sponsor a student next year. THANK SO MUCH KAMAU AND HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY.
KEVIN KIMANI SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION 2009 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS (See their pictures)
http://kevin-kimani.memory-of.com/SlideShowPopUp.aspx
Ndinda Munuve – Form Two (10th Grade)
Precious Blood Secondary School – Kilungu Ndinda Munuve came on board this 2009 because she was about to drop out of school due to illness of her mother. She comes from a single parent home and has four siblings. Her two sisters are in high school and the mother could not afford to pay for her. She joined the school after scoring 395/500 points with hopes that she will find some kind of scholarship when placed on schools needy students list. She maintained a “B” the whole of this year.
Benard Wang’ombe Githaiga – Just completed Form One (9th Grade) at Nyahururu High School. He qualified for KKSF scholarship at the beginning of 2009 with 395/500. He was considered for the award because he comes from one of Internal Displaced People (IDP) families whose lives were disrupted by the December 2007 Kenya elections brutal aftermath. In his new/temporary home (camp) in Karatina Nyeri, he managed to continue with school and sat for the exit exam and scored 395 points. He was the top student in that constituency. Benard has both parents and six siblings but are extremely poor in addition to being homeless now.
His two older brothers had no financial means to continue with secondary school education. After being among the top students in their constituency too, a few years ago, the brothers ended up moving to the streets in search of manual labor jobs to feed themselves. In their pursuit of trying to survive, they contacted AIDS/HIV and have both died (information confirmed through area Administrative Office). He is afraid to follow the same suit – he says in his application. Nicodemus Kivuva- Form Two (10th Grade) at Alliance High School. Nicodemus came on board at the beginning of this year. He is 16 years old, an orphan and has five siblings taken care of by different relatives. He was admitted at Alliance High after scoring 405/500 points and was the top student in his constituency. He was an “A” student half of 2008, but worries about him dropping out of school started catching up with him and his grades deviated to” B” as per the principal’s remarks. Thanks to a couple of ladies who offered to sponsor him and they have no doubt he will rise up to is capability again and reach his dream.
Walter Kiong’a has been KKSF scholarship recipient for the last two years. He completed high school this last December. This year he has gone through challenges both academically and constant sickness which the principal thinks is due to some bad experiences and loss he supposedly went through during and after the 2007-08 Kenya elections chaos. His fate as far as the exit examination is concerned, it is not clearly known because he fell sick (mental problems) on and off during the examination dates and the principal suspects he probably did not complete his examination and/or nobody knows what he put down in the papers. I am following up on his case with the school.
Joseph Njoroge Gatu – Form Two (10th Grade)
Attends Nyahururu Boys High School (KCPE 405 Points). He has both parents but are too poor to afford his school fees. He reported to school with no funds at all. He was among the top achieving student accepted at the school. The principal’s letter seeking for scholarship for him indicates that from time to time, he accepts a few selected bright students who portrays high academic potential to start school without funds and place them on a preferential waiting list for scholarships, bursaries or just in case the family situation changes in the course of the first year. That is how he ended up as an applicant for KKSF scholarship. The names are moved to top of the list as and when they maintain the same energy and willingness to learn, excel and be the best academically and character wise despite their financial desperate situation. Joseph fell into this category. His performance in the first year has been excellent. He has dropped in some subjects this year, but the school’s dean of students reported that, it is not unusual for students’ grades to drop when it starts to sink that they might have to quit school since the school budget is not equipped to financially support them for more than one year.
Irungu Mugure – Form One (9th Grade) at Ndakaini Secondary School (KCPE – 396 Points). He scored the top points in his school. He was accepted at a provincial school but his family, a single mother with several children could not afford to pay for him. The only option he had is to join a nearby day secondary school. However, I believe education is usually not in the school, it’s with the student. If he managed to score high points, I believed he will excel. He has registered “B” in the first and 2nd term, and in the 3rd term he attained an “A-“.
Jackline Karwitha is a 3rd year KKSF scholarship recipient and she is a senior this year. She completes high school in December 2010. Jackline has maintained a “B” for the last two years and I believe she will fall suit of the past three Precious Blood Secondary School past graduates who passed the exit examination and qualified to further their education at the local universities.
Irungu Muthoni – Form One
Nyahururu Boys High School (KCPE – 405 Points).
NO SCHOLARSHIP AWARD YET. PLEASE HELP!!!!.
KKSF gave a little financial support this year.
Application letter from the dean of Students. QUOTE
Dear Martha,
I hope you are well.
On my behalf, and on behalf of Nyahururu High School community, I wish to thank you most sincerely for paying Benard's school fees which goes a long way in ensuring that he will pursue his dream career. It is a rare opportunity which I wish to inform you he appreciates. He has also promised to improve and deliver better results since I told him like you said, assistance will be based on performance. We continue praying for you because of your wonderful deeds and a generous heart. We hope that this also gives you a reason to be happy knowing that you have put a smile on someone's face and given them a future.
Now, there is this Boy Irungu Muthoni that I had written to you about inquiring into the possibility of sourcing for him a scholarship. His first term's performance was wonderful to say the least since he topped a class of 203 students! He is a top achiever despite his disadvantaged back ground and troubled school life. I really hope that some benefactor out there will be touched by his plight since, although he is academically gifted, with high potential, he may be wasted because though willing to learn against all odds, he may drop out of school very soon. In the midterm exams, he easily topped the class despite going to an empty deserted room in the name of a home.
Just to remind you, his single mother woke up one morning and left, leaving him and an elder brother to fend for themselves. A former teacher supported him through primary education and he qualified to join this school but the teacher could not continue his good charity work.
Here he survives from hand to mouth literally. My department provides him with toiletries and other personal necessities, plus fare to and from so called home. During holidays, young Irungu has to go for (manual job somewhere in order to raise the rent, get some food, grab an old t-shirt and stuff from used clothes' stalls, and of course school fees is unthinkable even though he loves education .
I have journeyed with him successfully for the last seven months, but my problem is having like tens of Irungus to think about. I serve his cause, borrow his food and fundraise for his fare and others. It is the best I can do under the circumstances, pleading with the Principal as we await an unexpected bursary which has not been forthcoming.
If you can, Martha please help this boy, get Irungu ANYTHING, I personally know it will last him his life time. I am sure that in the fullness of time, He will remember that someone came through for him. If he does, we will have done our best.
May you be blessed
Anthony Wainaina.
Dean - Students' Welfare UNQUOTE
Nyahururu Boys High School
PS: If you would like to verily his story, His benefactor’s # in primary school is +254727682062 Mr. Kiriba of Mwiteithia primary school.
Samson Ngotho attends Mang’u Boys High school. He was accepted after scoring 413 points. KKSF supported his with 3rd term school fees when he dropped out of school.
NO SCHOLARSHIP AWARD YET. PLEASE HELP!!!!.
And finally, please know your generosity reflects your concern for the mankind and intellectual potential of the world’s leaders-of-tomorrow. With people who care like you, the future of many less fortunate students will continue to look brighter as they strive towards their goals and aspirations. Every support, input, ideas will count towards the success of this project, and your donations will go a long way to impact on the life and direction of those desperate and struggling students.
With warm regards
Martha Kimani
Founder and Administrator
WATCH RIPPLE EFFECTS at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLMj6T0VNtY
My Son. Taken Too Soon
How do I tell anyone who did not know him? Kevin was joy. He was a handsome talented young man full of life, love and joy. Always testing all the limits. He was beautiful on the outside and more importantly on the inside. He displayed maturity and insight far beyond his years. Being our first child, his birth was awaited with great anticipation. Just moments from my womb, as tiny as he was, he cried for only seconds, then stopped, and opened his eyes wide, eager to embrace this vast new world. I miss his love for life and curiosity. Kevin’s tenacious lust for knowledge led him to walk and speak his first words at the age of eight months. He had great appreciation for life. He became a big brother at the age of two years, and immediately assumed the role of mentor and protector of his little sister Pauline.
At 18 years old, he was well ahead of his time. His short life had impacted countless people in many positive ways. The condolence messages that were written and said are part of my consolation and inspiration when feeling down - and it tells it all. Kevin always lived life to the fullest. Kevin was well liked by everyone who knew him, old and young alike. In Kevin's world the word color in a human being did not exist. The tributes given to him by his former elementary middle school and high school friends and their parents, teachers and his Giant’s Baseball Little League Team’s Couch, who officiated a special memorial service for him confirmed that statement. Kevin’s greatest attribute was his kind heart. As a first time visitor in Seattle, Washington, we went to our first Sunday service, and as we got out of church, he disappeared without us noticing, only to find out after half an hour, he saw an elder lady on a wheel chair, struggling to push her wheelchair and it was raining heavily. He said he decided to push her so that she could get to her waiting special van faster, and as we walked to our car, we did not notice that he had detoured to the opposite direction. The lady and the van driver had to wait until the poor boy could find his family, which took us about half an hour panking and worried. Just before calling 911, we saw him next to a van and we walked over there with mixed feeling of joy an anger - typical parents. We will always remember his smile, bear hugs, love of life, love of people and his way of making everyone around him special. He will live in our hearts and minds forever.
He was taken from us too soon with no chance to say goodbye. We hold on to the thought that we will be with him someday. However, the intensity of the pain of loosing a child does not fade, but as his mother, I have learnt to focus on the beautiful life and presence Kevin gave me for 18 almost 19 years. I believe that even though his physical life is over, he’s closer to me now, than he ever was before. Not a day goes without thinking or talking about him. There are, and have been rocky roads ahead of me and many hills to climb; but I have managed so far by taking one day at a time, and one moment at a time.
Read more information loaded on each tab and see how great God has afforded family and friends to touch other peoples lives in tribute to Kevin....May God Bless You All in a Mighty Way........
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