meeting Sharon, by Pete Rockx

Witnessing God at work on our Mission Trip to Eburru, Kenya

(July 17-31, 2018)

Although it has been too soon to process all my mission-related experiences, I can say with all certainty that I saw God at work throughout the trip. From His positioning Sheryl Stokes (another team member) and I next to a Tanzanian Pastor and church planter at the check in line at Dulles who invited MBC to help his ministry in Dar-es-salaam, to seating my wife Pam and I next to a young African female doctor returning to the U.S. from a family visit in Botswana and who after talking to us expressed an interest in going on future MBC medical mission trips…. God was at work.

One of the desires Pam and I had in going to Eburru was to find a student who was attending Camp Brethren Christian School (CBCS) to sponsor, and to develop a relationship with that child while in Kenya.  We were looking for a girl. God honored our prayers. On our first evening in Eburru, the team was briefed on the student sponsorship program at Camp Brethren Ministries, and provided us newly printed pictures and brief bios of those eligible for sponsorship. While it usually takes a while for Pam and I to come to agreement on important matters requiring a decision, it didn’t take much time before we focused on Sharon Kariuki, an innocent looking 3 year old.  Our hope was to meet her and learn more about her family situation before making a final decision.  Finding her amongst the 400 kids on our first day at the school presented a challenge, which God quickly took care of when one of our team members thought they spotted her near the dining hall. A quick confirmation from one of the teachers, and we were connected.  Shy at first, Sharon quickly warmed to us and allowed us to carry her on our arms for a short time before she rejoined her classmates, waving good-bye as she walked off. Our selection was affirmed on a personal level, and reaffirmed after learning that she was the youngest of three in a family being raised by her mom, Veronica, whose husband had left her and is not providing any support.

We soon met Veronica, whose job is to wash student clothes (by hand) at CBCS.  We found her to be a delightful lady, who despite her circumstances, projected friendliness and joy that can only come from someone whose hope rests in the Lord. In the days that followed, we were able to have brief encounters with Sharon, Veronica, and Sharon’s siblings, an older sister in grade 2 and a brother, who was later sponsored by Mark and Allynne Yates other members of our team. Late one afternoon after school Pam and I walked with Veronica, her children, and Mark and Allynne from the school to their home. The route took us down a dusty dirt road past cornfields and a number of small mud and block-built homes for about a mile – a route the family walks each day.

Upon arriving at her home, which was a one room apartment with one window, approximately 12 feet square with a sheet covering the doorway, Veronica invited us in. The room was divided by a clothesline with an assortment of sheets hung on it to divide the sleeping area from the family area where we stood or sat on well-worn chairs. A single light fixture with wires showing and no bulb hung from the ceiling.  As I looked around the dimly lit room, I noticed a few dishes and pans stacked in one corner and a small-unlit charcoal fired single burner stove on the floor nearby.  Glancing around, I didn’t see any food.  After a short time of casual conversation, I asked if I could pray for Veronica and the family, and Mark inquired if she had any specific requests.  In response, she said she’d like God to provide her a home and some land that she could farm to provide for her children.  We prayed for God’s provision, and soon left, only to see Veronica leave as well, leaving her children in the care of her oldest daughter.

It was dark as we continued to walk toward our camp to join the rest of our team for a balanced meal of vegetables, potatoes and a meat dish. On our way, we passed a small block building with a pass through window facing the road.  There stood Veronica at the window buying a small sack of corn meal (maze).  After we had passed, I looked back to see her walking away in the direction of her apartment and remember thinking “God is good” – she and her children will have something to eat tonight – but also feeling we should be doing more for her and others like her because there is so much more to do.

If you share in that feeling and desire to help those families like Veronica’s in an around Eburru through Camp Brethren Ministries, please consider sponsoring a child and/or donating to one of their programs including their partially completed high school, please go to the David’s Hope International website for more information at www.davidshope.org. To God be the glory!

– Pete Rockx, MBC-PW Kenya Mission Team Member (8-4-18)

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” Proverbs 19:17

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Rachel’s Hope Scholarship (RHS)

The Rachel’s Hope Scholarship is a new and transformative initiative established by David's Hope International (DHI). It is a university scholarship program designed to empower exceptional graduates of Camp Brethren High School in the rural Kenyan village of Eburru.

Vision

To transform the Eburru community through advanced education of Camp Brethren graduates who will lead their communities and country, grounded in Christian faith and empowered by a university education.

Mission

To enable all graduating seniors of Camp Brethren High School with academic excellence, motivation and faith in Jesus Christ to attend university and receive mentorship & leadership certification, regardless of financial means.

Goal

The goal of Rachel’s Hope is to ensure that the top graduates of CBM High School attend university and benefit from the CBM mentorship program that will seek to sharpen them and help place them in attachments and quality jobs upon graduation. In addition, Rachel’s Hope is intended to increase the visibility and desirability for parents to send their children to CBM schools knowing that graduates will have the opportunity to receive university scholarships and benefit from the mentorship & leadership program. Scholarship recipients are expected to give back or “pay it forward” to CBM by agreeing to fund a scholarship for a CBM school student for each year they were on scholarship or serving on staff at CBM in a position of need.

Eligibility for Rachel’s Hope Scholars

To be eligible for the Rachel’s Hope Scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Graduate of Camp Brethren High School.
  • Must perform well on the National Exam with a minimum score of 300.
  • Must profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
  • Must also agree to the scholarship requirements identified in this document.

Funding and Program Costs

Support for Rachel’s Hope will come from a division of David’s Hope established for this purpose. The funding goal is to raise enough support to meet the mission statement.

The Program will start with 4 to 10 scholarships per year and seek to increase to all eligible students as funds become available.

Funding guidelines and targets on average are estimated to be as follows:

  • $2,550 per student per year for up to 4 years (~$10,200 per student for a 4-year program).
  • Kabarak University, located near the city of Nakuru, is ideal as it is a prestigious Christian university that provides a wide variety of quality degrees to choose from and can produce high quality leaders.

Estimated Fees Breakdown Per Year Per Student at Kabarak University

Bills and Utilities Per year:

Category Annual Cost
Books & Supplies$150
Housing & Utilities$150
Food$400
Mentorship$200
Program Overhead & Support$150
Total Cost (Non-Tuition)$1,050

Kabarak University Degrees and Approximate Annual Pricing (Tuition Only)

Degree Program Annual Fees (Ksh) Annual Fees (USD) Duration (Yrs) Total Cost Over Duration (Ksh)
Engineering190,000$1,461.544760,000
Teaching180,000$1,384.624720,000
Agriculture180,000$1,384.624720,000
Theology150,000$1,153.854600,000
Computer Science190,000$1,461.544760,000
Law260,000$2,000.0041,040,000
Medicine380,000$2,923.0841,520,000
Health and Nursing315,000$2,423.0841,260,000

Scholarship Requirements

Rachel’s Hope scholars must adhere to the following requirements:

  • Attend Kabarak University on a Rachel’s Hope Scholarship.
  • Choose a course in fields promising wide career options, including: Engineering (Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecom), Teaching, Health & Nursing, Theology, Agriculture, Law, or Medicine.
  • Maintain a minimum average grade of C+ and above. If one does not acquire the required average grade, only a one-time opportunity will be allowed to improve their grades for the subsequent semester. If still the grades do not meet minimum requirements, then the scholarship will be withdrawn.
  • Live in the Rachel’s Hope provided housing or an approved hostel. All the students will be booked into the same hostel and whenever practical into the same room to ensure that the students mentor each other and push each other to grow spiritually, academically, socially, and mentally. Personal hygiene must be observed at all times, with DHI representatives monitoring living conditions.
  • Agree to follow all the laid down Rachel’s Hope Code of Conducts.
  • It is required to attend the recurring (at least monthly) mentoring/development sessions and servant leadership retreats twice per year.
  • It is required to attend a session with a DHI representative where the student verifies their progress in school through official university reports. The representative will also collect attachments of their exam transcripts, their views of the school, and how they are doing in other areas of co-curriculum apart from academics.
  • RH scholars must agree to mentor or coach a younger RH Scholar upon completing the first year.
  • Upon completion, Rachel’s Hope scholars must honor the Agreement of giving back to CBM in the form of paying for a scholarship of a CBM high school student for each year he/she was on scholarship with Rachel’s Hope, or serving at CBM in an open position of need. This obligation begins once the graduate is in a financial position to support. For example, if one spent 4 years at university, they are expected to give back 4 years at CBM; if on scholarship for 3 years, then pay for a minimum of 3 years for a CBM boarding student.

Rachel’s Hope Selection Process & Criteria

Students will be rated on a weighted scale of the following key criteria:

  • Academic Merit (10 points): Based on KCSE Score.
  • Financial Need (30 points): Evaluates family income, housing situation, number of siblings, and school costs per sibling.
  • Servant Leadership Potential (30 points): Assesses demonstrated acts of servant leadership, future plans of serving others, and achievements in CBCS School.
  • Personal Motivation & Faith (20 points): Based on a motivation statement for why they need the scholarship and their relationship with Christ.
  • Supporting Documents (10 points): Includes Recommendation Letters, KCSE Certificate, Identification Card, Good conduct certificate, etc..

A scoring rubric is used for scoring students based on their application form answers. Real reference letters from teachers and others are needed. An interview involving all stakeholders (DHI, RHS, and CBM) will be conducted.

Rachel’s Hope Code of Conduct

Scholars must adhere to the following strict Code of Conduct:

  • No use of drugs and illegal or questionable substances of any kind. Students must focus on their studies and personal growth.
  • Attending university classes is compulsory. Where absence is unavoidable, it must be signed by the university administration and reported to the DHI representative in Kenya.
  • Being on time for Rachel’s Hope-related meetings must be strictly observed.
  • Attending all mentorship and leadership training classes is required.
  • Attending all ministry growth activities and/or church must be done on a weekly basis.
  • One must maintain an encouraging and optimistic attitude towards life and their future.
  • Healthy interpersonal relationships must be maintained at all times.
  • Personal hygiene must be observed at all times. DHI representatives will attach pictures of students’ living conditions while visiting them to ensure hygiene standards are maintained.
  • Academic integrity must be upheld at all times. Plagiarism, cheating, or dishonest practices will not be tolerated.
  • Respect for university staff, peers, and all DHI representatives must be demonstrated in words and actions.
  • Proper financial stewardship must be maintained. Scholarship funds should be used responsibly for education-related expenses.
  • Participation in community service and outreach programs as a way of giving back is encouraged.
  • Responsible use of social media is required. Students must uphold the values of RHS and DHI in their online interactions.
  • Students must keep open communication with their assigned mentors and provide updates on their academic and personal growth.
  • Any major life changes, including changes in academic status or living conditions, must be reported to the DHI representative immediately.
  • Student must observe utmost good faith while reporting to the DHI representative at all times.

Tracking Students Through the DHI-RHS Management System

The DHI-RH Management System will be the main tracking tool used by all to manage this program. This system will be updated by the Rachel’s Hope Program Manager in Kenya.

The aim of the DHI-RH management system will be:

  • To register every student beneficiary for easier record keeping.
  • Collecting student’s bio data and contact information.
  • Making updates on the students progress in Academics and RH mentoring and leadership training activities.
  • Keeps a record of students' progress academically.

All Rachel’s Hope recipients are to be tracked in the DHI-RH Management system with at least one complete update for each student each semester (twice per year). Key Updates will include the following:

  • Student grades for each semester.
  • A letter from each student sharing their day-to-day highlights, challenges, prayers, and season’s greetings.
  • An updated photo for each student done annually.
  • Attendance of monthly mentorship and leadership development meetings.
  • Attendance of twice per year mentorship and leadership development retreat.
  • Notes from program manager identifying accomplishments or challenges on issues concerning each student.
  • Acknowledgement of key events to include the following: On-time arrival to hostels for each new semester of school, Payment of tuition, Payment and purchases of books, stationery and other supplies.

Mentorship and Leadership Development Program

There is a need for a thorough and consistent follow up on the leadership development and mentoring of the students.

  • Monthly mentorship sessions while the students are in university can be done in Nakuru area in or around their hostels and can be led by the program manager and/or a special invited guest.
  • The mentorship program can build on the Life shape / Chick-fil-A team Leadership materials and other materials to develop a monthly program that provides real value to the students. The ultimate goal is to produce students that have a high degree of leadership training/skill and a Servant heart such that graduates of the program are truly ready to lead and serve in their life beyond education. Presentations can be made based on specific topics that help improve the quality of students and help in improving themselves as future leaders.
  • RH Scholars in their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year will be expected to have some kind of role as a “big brother” or “big sister” to new RH Scholars as the program progresses. RH Scholars are not just listeners, they are participants and leaders as the program intends to develop future leaders and servants and ultimately graduates that are highly employable and ready to impact their communities for Christ.
  • The program will seek a leadership training program that can provide multiple different kinds of certification for the students that will add additional value. For example, students can earn a new certificate each year like Lead Self, Lead Others, Financial Management, Servant Leadership, etc..

Internship, Attachment, and Job Placement Support

The Program Manager will be responsible for helping scholarship recipients navigate internship and job opportunities. In order to do this, the PM will need to work extra hard to help identify potential opportunities and build up the program and the students such that companies will want to hire Rachel’s Hope Scholars for their Internships and Attachments and ultimately even for jobs in the future.

There is need to be some “secret sauce” or something that makes Rachel’s Hope scholars stand out from the others, and these core values include:

  • Confidence
  • Integrity
  • Optimism
  • Proactiveness
  • Excellence
  • Hard work
  • Team Work
  • Professionalism

The mentorship program should provide a certification to show the student has attained the above mentioned core values having gone through different classes in Leadership, Money/Finance management, Business and administration, etc..

The Program Manager Role

The Program Manager works for DHI in partnership with CBM and is based in the Nakuru area. Their responsibilities include:

  • Manages the DHI-RH Management System, ensuring day to day updates are made and Payments for school tuition fee and Hostels and accommodation, are fully catered for.
  • Coordinates the Rachel’s Hope Hostels.
  • Coordinates and Leads Mentorship and Development Training Programs.
  • Identifies Internships and Attachments and aligns the Rachel’s Hope scholars to them.
  • Supports in selection of future scholars from CBM High School.
  • Supports in the enrollment of RH Scholars into the appropriate universities.
  • Supports in building a program that has a solid foundation and that which can serve as a model for expansion to more scholars and even the potential for partnership expansion in the future.
  • Close follow up other laid down policies as directed.

Rachel’s Hope Scholar Commitment: "Paying It Forward"

RH Scholars will be obligated to pay forward or give back to CBM upon graduation and once the graduate is in a financial position to support. There are two primary ways to give back:

  • Serve at CBM in an open position of need for each year scholar was on scholarship. For example, if one spent 4 years at university, they are expected to give back 4 years at CBM.
  • Pay for the scholarship for a CBM boarding student for each year scholar was on scholarship. For example, if on scholarship for 3 years, then pay for a minimum of 3 years for a CBM boarding student.

The AGREEMENT should be duly signed by all the parties involved and should also be approved.

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