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Meet the Students

Denis Omondi Oludhe
DOB 25th June 1982
Kanyawanga Secondary School
Denis Omondi is one of seven children: four boys and three girls. His father died in 1982, and his mother is a peasant farmer. Denis would like to become a doctor or a dentist when he completes his schooling. His favorite subjects are math and biology. Denis is a football defender and participates in the debate club and the church choir. When he goes home on holiday, he plays football for the Lwala Men's Club Team, and studies for exams. Denis would like to thank his sponsors for giving him an opportunity to learn.

Daniel Odhiambo Ogada
DOB 11th October, 1986
Kokuro Boys Secondary School
Daniel Odhiambo is the second born of nine children in his family. He has two brothers and six sisters. Daniel's father is a waiter and never had the opportunity to go to school, and his mother is a peasant farmer. Geography, history, and CRE (Christian Religious Education) are Daniel's favorite subjects in school, and he hopes to one day become a geography teacher. Daniel runs long distances on the track team and plays halfback (position 6) for the football team at his school. He is also a member of the church choir, the Christian Union, and the Straight Talk group. Straight Talk is a club where members meet once a week to work on how to effectively communicate with each other and to talk about issues and needs of the school. Daniel would like to thank his sponsors for the opportunity they have given him.

Maren Anyango Onyango
DOB 28th November 1989
Kadika Girls Secondary School
Maren Anyango is the fifth born in a family of four boys and four girls. Her sister Rebecca is attending teacher's college. Maren's father is a retired primary school teacher. Her mother is also a primary school teacher in Homa Bay. Though Maren earned one of the highest scores of her classmates on the KCPE, she was to be married after finishing eighth grade. The sponsorship has changed her future dramatically. Maren would like to become a high school teacher of languages when she is finished with her education. Her favorite subjects in school are English, Kiswahili, and Christian Religious Education. Maren is very involved in extracurricular activities. She runs the 100 meter dash for the track team, sings in the church choir, and is a member of the Pathfinder Youth Group and the Adventist Youth Organization. When Maren goes home on holiday she studies and helps her parents in the fields. Maren was academically ranked eighth in her class of 123 students this year and is working hard to move up even higher by scoring better marks. She is thankful to her sponsors and hopes that they will also continue helping others.

Maurice Ochieng' Odera
DOB 25th September, 1984
Kameji Secondary School
Maurice Ochieng' Odera is the fifth born of six children. He has two brothers and three sisters. Maurice's father died in 1984, and his mother is a peasant farmer. He is currently living with relatives. When he completes his schooling, Maurice would like to teach English at the secondary school level. English, Geography, History, and Government are his favorite subjects in school. Maurice plays soccer and throws the javelin for the track team. He is also a member of the Young Christians Society, which is a group that encourages other students in school. When Maurice goes home on holiday, he would like to assist new students with their studies. He would like to thank his sponsors for their cooperation and support, because he never had any hope of going back to school.

Mary Akoth Oyamo
DOB 1991
Nyabisawa Girls High School
Mary has four brothers and two sisters. Her father died of unknown causes, and her mother makes a living as a peasant farmer. Mary hopes to start up a small business selling vegetables when she goes home to help her mom earn some extra money. Her brothers are not in school because of lack of school fees. They help their family by earning money in the ngware, or bicycle-taxi, business. Mary's family lives in a small, grass-thatched house. She says that at times she goes without some needs such as soap and clothing. Mary hopes to become an aircraft engineer or a lawyer, and is signing up for classes already for next year that will gear her towards these professions. Her favorite subjects in school are business studies and biology. Mary participates in the Music Festival, where a group of students meets two times a week to sing. Mary is working hard in school so that she will be able to go to University one day, and she promises that she will not lose hope so that her future will be bright.

Eunice Akuma Ojuka
DOB 1989 Owiro Akoko Girls Secondary School
Eunice has three brothers and three sisters. Her father makes a living as a mason, and her mother is a peasant farmer. Eunice hopes to become either a nurse or a secondary school teacher. Her favorite subjects in school are math, physics, biology, and chemistry. She is a member of the Adventist Youth Organization in her community. Eunice hopes to one day help her community in Lwala by coming back to teach or provide healthcare, and she would also like to support children so they work hard and get educated. Eunice would like to thank her sponsors for allowing her to go to school and says "May God bless you and if you are willing may you continue to help others".

Lilian A. Ooko
DOB August 5, 1991
Ogande Girls Secondary School
Lilian is the eldest of one brother and four sisters. Her father, who used to be a teacher at a primary school, died of unknown causes. Her mother is unemployed and it is difficult for Lilian to find money for school supplies and a uniform. When Lilian goes home she helps her mother by digging in the garden, doing housework, and fetching water. She would like to become a doctor, and hopes to specialize in surgery. Her favorite subjects in school are biology and business. Lilian enjoys playing the center position on her school's netball team. She also participates in the math club, which meets on Wednesdays to solve difficult problems. Lilian is also a member of the Christian Union, a group of students who get together to read the Bible and study Christianity. She is really enjoying school, and particularly likes computer studies. She would like to thank her sponsors very much, and hopes that she will one day also be able to help others.

Jared Otieno Oloo
DOB 1st December 1986
Kameji Secondary School
Jared is the third born of six boys. Both his father and mother are peasant farmers. When he completes school, Jared would like to teach math at a secondary school. Jared's favorite subjects are history and biology. He plays midfielder and striker on the soccer team, and runs the 100-meter dash for the track team. He hopes that he can one day help the community in Lwala by becoming a teacher and also by helping with the school garden when he goes home from school on holiday.

George Okuta
DOB September 18, 1991
Kanga Secondary School
George has three brothers and one younger sister. His brother Alan is attending the University of Nairobi, where he is studying Information Technology. George's sister is at home because she is unable to pay her school fees. His father died of unknown causes, and his mother passed away when he was in class 3. George hopes to be able to continue his studies so he can become a doctor. His favorite subjects in school are Biology, Chemistry, and Geography. George is very involved in extracurricular activities. He runs the 100 meter dash for the track team and also plays on the volleyball team. He is a member of the choir, which meets every Friday, and is also involved in weekly math and science reading and discussion groups. George hopes to one day help others as he has been helped by paying their school fees for them.

Dennis Ouma Ojuki
DOB 22nd August, 1982
Kanyawanga Secondary School
Dennis lives with his uncle in Lwala village. His father, a peasant farmer, has two wives. Dennis' mother, an unemployed peasant farmer, is the second wife. Dennis has a 16 year old sister who is in eighth grade. Dennis had problems paying tuition for secondary school. He would help his parents by working on a sugarcane plantation to pay for small amounts of his fees. He would make one or two dollars per day. However, this was not enough to keep him in school. He was being sent away from school for two weeks at a time and he kept missing exams in 9th grade. Because his parents could not support his education, Dennis dropped out of 9th grade. He was taken in by his uncle, a high school teacher, in February 2003. His aunt, an elementary school teacher, was ailing for most of the year in 2003. Before Dennis could resume his studies, his aunt passed away in January 2004. Dennis was then left under the care of his uncle. But his uncle too fell ill with tuberculosis and died in May 2005. So now Dennis lives with his orphaned cousins and his 83 year old grandmother. Despite all the setbacks, Dennis is still keen on finishing his secondary school studies. He wants to be a doctor, and is interested in pediatrics. He is also interested in doing research to find a cure for AIDS. Dennis used to play Soccer and run track, but he hurt his knee over a year ago and is still not able to run. He has not been able to afford to see a doctor to get tests done, let alone the surgery that he probably needs. Dennis has nonetheless been participating on the volleyball team. He is also a member of the Adventist Youth Organization, whose members preach to the community and sing in a church choir. They also raise money to purchase clothes, which are donated to a local orphanage. Dennis wants his sponsors to know that he is very thankful and is working really hard.

Alphine Anyango Opiyo
DOB 2nd February, 1987
Kameji Secondary School
Anyango is the oldest of five children and the mother of a baby girl. She has one brother in class five and three sisters. Her father is physically handicapped, and her mother is a peasant farmer who plants maize, beans and sugar cane to be sold in local markets. Anyango attended Lwala Primary School from nursery school to class eight. Lack of fees kept her at home for two years after graduating. She then received a scholarship to attend secondary school. Her favorite subject is biology and her best subject is physics. Anyango would like to be a nurse when she completes her schooling. In her spare time, Anyango plays soccer and volleyball and runs track.

Irene Odhiambo
DOB 8th September 1992
Kameji Secondary School
Irene has seven brothers and one sister. They are all in school except for her youngest brother who is only four years old. Her mother and father are both peasant farmers. Irene hopes to one day become a physics teacher at a secondary school. Her favorite subjects in school are math and chemistry. She is also on the netball team and runs the 100 meter sprint for her school's track team. Irene is a member of the choir group, which meets every Friday and hosts performances. She hopes to encourage younger students in Lwala to continue their education and would like to be able to give them advice about school. Irene would like to thank her sponsors, and she hopes that she will be able to become a boarder. It is difficult for her to commute because by the time she gets home it is getting dark and her family does not have paraffin for their lamps so she often has trouble finishing her assignments.

Tyson Onyango
DOB 4th May, 1991
Kameji Secondary School
Tyson has three brothers and one sister. His father died of unknown causes and used to be a teacher, and his mother is a peasant farmer. His mother earns money from unloading matatus and has called harambees in the past to pay for Tyson's education. After he finishes school, Tyson hopes to become an accountant. His favorite subjects are physics and math, and he is really enjoying school. Tyson also plays on the school's football team and is a member of the drama group. He would like to start doing community service after school, and wants to encourage younger students to continue their education. Tyson hopes that he will continue to have the opportunity to be sponsored, and that his siblings will be able to continue their educations.

Elvice Ochiri
DOB 1989
Kisii High School
Elvice has three brothers and one sister, all of whom are in school. His father used to work as a mason but died of an illness involving a stiff neck. His mother did not continue her education after primary school, and works as a peasant farmer to support her family. Elvice wants to become an engineer when he finishes his studies, and he enjoys studying English, math, and physics in school. He likes to play sports and is a member on his school's football and volleyball teams. Elvice is also a member of the Adventist Youth Service group. He hopes to be able to go back to Lwala and help the community by tutoring at the primary school. He also hopes to be able to study at a University in the U.S.

Peterson Okoth
DOB December, 1986
Kanyawanga Secondary School
Peterson is the last born of seven children. His mother is elderly and works as a peasant farmer. His father passed away of illness in 1982. Peterson and his brother attend Kanyawanga and their other brother is unemployed and lives at home as a farmer. When Peterson goes home on holiday he helps his mom with farm activities, such as digging and harvesting crops like maize.

Peterson enjoys math, physics, biology, and chemistry, and hopes to become an electrical engineer. Football is a favorite activity of his, and he especially likes to play goalie. Peterson participates in the environmental club, which meets one time a week and works towards cleaning the local environment. He would like to thank his sponsors for the "wonderful gift" they have given him.

Frederick Otieno Oloo
DOB 13th November 1985
Kanyawanga Secondary School
Frederick Otieno is the third of five children and is the first in his family to go to high school. His mother passed away from AIDS in October of 1999. Though his father is still alive, he is unemployed and can barely provide for himself. Consequently, his brother and three sisters live with various relatives. Fred has been living with his maternal uncles since March 1996. In May 2005, his uncle, who had been paying for Fred's education, succumbed to HIV/AIDS. Fred has since remained in his uncle's house, looking for his own food and walking three kilometers to school every day. With the passing of his uncle, Fred has been sent away from school numerous times due to his inability to pay fees. With support from this program, Fred will be able to focus on his studies without having to worry about being sent away. Frederick hopes to become a high school math and physics teacher. When he is not studying, Fred plays soccer and runs track. He is also quite active in his church, as he is the church youth leader, a member of the choir, and a member of the Adventist Youth Organization. Fred also plays volleyball, and is a defender on the football team. When he goes home on holiday, he helps his guardians on the farm with digging, weeding, and harvesting crops. He also spends a lot of time studying. Fred would like to say to his sponsors "I pray that God may continue giving the life to assist them (the sponsors) until they achieve what they want and God bless them".

Moline Atieno
DOB July 27th, 1990
Sori Secondary School
Moline Atieno Otama is the first born in a family of five children. She has three brothers and one sister. Her father is a peasant farmer and her mother is unemployed. Moline hopes to become a nurse. She is hopeful that she will be able to help her parents and siblings one day. Moline prays for her teachers, that they would continue to impart knowledge to the students.

Winnie Akinyi Otieno
DOB August 29, 1991
Ogande Girls' High School
Winnie Akinyi is one of six children; she has two brothers and three sisters. Her father passed away in 1992, and her mother is unemployed. Winnie hopes to be a doctor and would especially like to study psychiatry. Though Winnie reports difficulty seeing, she has not had the chance to have her eyes examined and treated.

Monica Adhiambo Otieno
DOB February 12, 1975
Lwala Primary School
Monica Adhiambo is the mother of five children: Moses (11 years), Steve (9 years), Seth (4 years), Caitlin (2 years), and baby Olivia. She married Isaiah Otieno in 1996. Isaiah, who is a farmer and the night guard at the clinic in Lwala, never attended secondary school. Monica's father is a retired hospital cook. Her mother, the third wife of her father, never went to secondary school. She is the first born of five brothers and six sisters. In addition to her five children, Monica cares for her youngest sister (10 years) in her home. Monica finished class 8 in her home village of Rakwaro. However, inspired by the newly founded scholarship program, she went back to school in 2006 at Lwala Primary as a class 7 student. She reports that she went back because she wanted to "gain knowledge, be a good example for girls, and have a better life in the future." Monica endured laughter and gossip from people in the village who said she would not succeed. Despite missing much of the school year to care for her dying mother-in-law and sick child, she sat for her KCPE exams as an eighth grade student in December 2007 and passed. Monica is very involved in the Lwala Seventh Day Adventist church. She is one of the leading voices in the choir. Monica also plays volleyball and netball. Monica would like to be a doctor after completing her education. She continues to be an inspiration to women and girls in the village. "There is no end of studying. Even if you're old the way I am you can study. It has no end so anybody who wishes can do the same."

The documentary "Sons of Lwala" follows our founders, Milton and Fred Ochieng" on their journey from their home village of Lwala, Kenya to medical school in the United States, and back home to build Lwala's first health clinic.
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Your support is vital to sustaining our existing programs and to rolling out our exciting new initiatives in water, HIV/AIDS, maternity and medical education. Your donation helps provide these necessary services, but it does more than that. Your support helps to empower the people of Lwala - to provide jobs, training, education, and improved health that will make the future brighter for all of Lwala.
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