Eliminate Poverty NOW! 2019 Highlights

We are proud to share Eliminate Poverty NOW’s great accomplishments of 2019:

FARMERS OF THE FUTURE

For a decade, Farmers of the Future (FOF) has been our most ambitious project. Inspired by Professor Dov Pasternak’s vision, the goal is to teach subsistence farmers to approach farming as a business. If broadly adopted, millions of farmers could lift themselves out of poverty. This year we made important progress in realizing Dov’s dream.

•   Strategic Planning: We developed a 3-pronged strategy to bring FOF concepts to hundreds of villages in Niger: increasing Niger’s technical capacity in horticulture, expanding the number of sites under direct FOF control, and working with international funders to apply FOF principles to their development projects. With hundreds of millions of dollars now earmarked for agricultural development in Niger, we are closer than ever to creating widespread economic transformation.

•   The Dov Pasternak Horticultural Training Center: The center will “train the trainers,” expanding the number of field technicians to teach a businesslike approach to farming. This year we filed for registration with the Niger government, completed construction of the training gardens and developed plans to open our doors in Q4 2020. Funding remains a top priority to speed completion of the center.

•   Improving Training Tools and Methods: Low literacy among farmers poses a major challenge to effective training, knowledge retention, and sustainability. Using our FOF sites as learning laboratories, we are developing tools and methods to more effectively train illiterate farmers and enable them to master new concepts and techniques.

•   Building the Niger Leadership Team: To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, for Farmers of the Future to be successful, it must be “of the people, by the people, and for the people” of Niger. LIBO is our local implementing partner and we are steadily strengthening its leadership team: recruiting key talent, mentoring senior managers and funding advanced training to expand their skills.

LITTLE ROCK SCHOLARS

For Eliminate Poverty NOW, secondary education is the gateway to good jobs and high income. In 2019, we awarded 14 new scholarships to outstanding students from Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum, bringing the total number of scholarships awarded since inception to 78. Eleven students from the class of 2018 graduated this past year and 12 more will sit for their final exams this November. In addition, with our successful campaigns to raise money for entrance fees for advanced studies, we now have 25 students enrolled in universities and technical schools studying for degrees in aviation, business, economics, eco-tourism, engineering, physics, sociology and more.

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY. Each year we are able to fund only half the number of students who qualify for scholarships. And we need to speed the opening of the Dov Pasternak Horticultural Training Center. When fully operational, it will train up to 40 technicians per year, enough to support 200 new villages and thousands more farmers! So please give as generously as you can.  Thanks to the generous support from our board of directors, 100% of your donation goes to work transforming lives in Africa.

Executive Letter from EPN Founders - John and Judy Craig

At the age of 12 it seemed like life for Kevin Wambua couldn’t get much worse. Growing up in Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum, Kevin lived in a one room house with his mother, grandmother and two siblings. His grandmother was frequently jailed for illegally selling chang’aaa, a home brewed grain alcohol, in a vain attempt to raise money for rent. Finally, in 2012, the family was evicted. Kevin’s grandmother headed upcountry, followed a year later by his mother and younger sister, never to return.

Most young boys or girls would be shattered by the experience - parentless and homeless. But Kevin is not like most. He possesses remarkable inner strength and determination. And he had the Little Rock School as a safe harbor and source of inspiration. Kevin was an eager student and excellent athlete. He studied hard and performed well, earning an EPN scholarship to a top boarding school in Kenya.

Kevin attended Mbooni Boys High School with 1500 students. You might have expected Kevin to struggle, leaving Kibera for the first time and surrounded by students who could not comprehend where he came from. But Kevin thrived academically and athletically. He excelled in math and science, representing Mbooni in various inter school competitions. He played on Mbooni’s championship soccer team. By the end of his junior year Kevin had so impressed his teachers that they selected him as president of the entire school. And by the end of his senior year Kevin won the award as the most outstanding student in academics, athletics, and leadership.

Kevin was accepted to Moi University’s School of Aerospace Sciences om 2019, studying Civil Aviation Management. Thanks to the EPN-funded entrance fees, he enrolled this fall. After earning his degree, Kevin plans to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

Eliminate Poverty NOW! empowers Africa’s extreme poor to lift themselves out of poverty. For EPN donor there is no better feeling than knowing you profoundly and permanently changed someone’s life. Kevin is a prime example: from parentless and homeless to the most outstanding student in his high school of 1500 and headed to a career in aviation.

And how many lives will Kevin change? His mom, grandmother and siblings? His future wife and children? And in Kevin’s own words: “My passion is mentoring children who come from difficult backgrounds. Being a pilot, I’ll be a role model to others. Plus being a pilot pays well so I will be able to support as many children as possible.” Changing Kevin’s life is a gift that keeps on giving.

Over the years, Eliminate Poverty NOW! has helped change thousands of lives. Our impact is limited only by the dollars you provide so please give as generously as you can. Together we can break the cycle of poverty for more deserving young women and men - now and for generations to come.

We have a new Eliminate Poverty NOW! Board Member

We’re delighted to announce that Joanne Moore has joined the EPN Board of Directors.  Joanne brings to EPN 25 years of consulting experience on international development.  Her consulting firm provides business development, project implementation and training to USAID implementing partners in Africa and Haiti.  She has also partnered with Duke University’s Dr. Bob Malkin to increase access to antiretroviral drugs for the prevention of mother to child HIV transmission.

Joanne and EPN first discovered each other back in 2014 through Professor Dov Pasternak and his work in Niger.  Joanne quickly became a fan of Dov’s, of Farmers of the Future and of EPN.  Since then, she has leant her considerable experience and creative ideas to the Farmers of the Future project and looks forward to becoming more deeply involved in EPN’s work as a member of the Board.

In addition to Eliminate Poverty NOW, Joanne serves on the boards of American Associates of Ben Gurion University and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.  She has a BA in African and Afro-American Studies from Brandeis University and a M.Sc. from the London School of Economics.

Little Rock Scholar's Story - Martha Okoth

Martha Okoth is 21 years old, the second youngest of 6 children in her family.  She grew up in Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum.  Both her parents work to provide money for the family.  Her father works as a security guard while her mother runs a small business roasting maize.

In 2014, Martha was among our second cohort of students from Little Rock to receive an EPN scholarship to secondary school.  And thanks to our commitment to provide entrance fees for advanced education, Martha entered Multimedia University of Kenya in 2018.  Looking back, Martha is grateful for all the help she’s received.

“Being a student here in university did not just happen.  It’s because of the support I received from caring people.  The support from Little Rock made me have hope in life that I could be anything I ever dreamed of.”

Martha did very well on her entrance exams to secondary school, qualifying for a 4-year EPN scholarship to one of Kenya’s best boarding high schools. Martha remembers what it was like leaving home for the first time.

“My first experience in ninth grade was not very good.  I was scared and felt out of place since I knew no one in a school of 1200 students.   I wanted to follow my mother back home, but it wasn’t possible.  Thankfully after a few weeks I started getting used to my new environment.  By the end of my first year I was chosen to be a dormitory prefect.  Both the teachers and students voted for me because I was disciplined and very hardworking in my studies.”

“At the end of 10th grade I was again voted to be a dormitory prefect, this time for one of the largest dormitories in the school.  I really didn’t like being a leader because I felt it was interfering with my studies.  But I was determined to work hard in both.  In my junior year I became the deputy president of the whole school and at the end of that year I became the school president.  With the support of my teachers and with wisdom from God I led well in my senior year.”

Martha did well on her high school finals which qualified her to enter university.  Most students can obtain low interest government loans to pay for their advanced education but are still required to pay a $500 “entrance fee.”  Once again, EPN stepped up to provide funding so Martha could enroll in the Multimedia University of Kenya where she is now a sophomore. 

“I chose to study Sociology, Psychology and Political Science because I am passionate about people and I want to help them wherever I can. University life has not been an easy adjustment.  You need to be self-disciplined and responsible for yourself unlike in Primary and High School where the teachers guided us.  In campus we have lots of freedom.”

“During the holidays, I find it fulfilling to give back to the community.  This year I volunteered at Little Rock as an assistant teacher and through that I have learned patience and love.” 

“I am grateful to Little Rock and to Eliminate Poverty NOW for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”

Little Rock Scholar's Story - Banda Awino

Banda Awino is 16 years old and lives with his mother and older brother in a one room house in Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum.  As Banda describes, life in Kibera is hard.   “I cannot recall the face of my father since I don’t think I ever saw him.  Mother tells us he passed away long ago.  Mother has to run her small-scale business to generate income for rent and food for us. Even so, I often miss breakfast or lunch.  I always pity her and this motivates me to study tirelessly so that I may change her situation in the future. All in all, I don’t regret our situation since no one chooses the family they are born into.”

Despite these challenges Banda excels academically and scored extremely well on his entrance exams to secondary school.  He qualified for an EPN 4-year scholarship to a “national” high school, the ivy league of secondary schools in Kenya.

Leaving home and Kibera for boarding school was scary.  As Banda recalls: “On my very first day I was shy and afraid.  But teachers in our school are really supportive. They work hard and motivate us to succeed.  And being in a national school I meet students from every part of our beautiful country.  Now in my second year I have developed more confidence and made a few good friends.  They encourage and assist me in every aspect of my life.” 

Even in a top national school, Banda stands out academically with an average grade of A-.  He plans to get an A on is final exams at the end of his senior year and qualify to study in one of the best universities in the world.

“What an achievement it will be when all this come to pass. My dream is to pursue Medicine and become a neurosurgeon. I don’t like it when I see my fellow Kenyans flying abroad for treatment when Kenya is able to produce skillful doctors and surgeons to treat her patients.”

“From the first day I received this scholarship, my life has really changed. It pays for my school fees, full school uniform, bus fare and pocket money. Secondary school has really opened my eyes to the opportunities ahead of me. What a joy this scholarship has brought in our family. It has brought light into hearts that were once filled with darkness. Now it’s my turn to re-pay what I’ve been blessed with by performing to the best of my ability.”

“I believe that through this scholarship I will do what no one expected and achieve great things.  I have a dream of introducing my own scholarship organization for bright and needy students as a remembrance of what was done for me.”

With his combination of smarts, determination and heart we’re betting that great things lie ahead for Banda and we wish him every success.

Little Rock Scholar's Stories

Linton Joshua

Linton Joshua wants to share his story with you. His is the second in a series about four Little Rock Scholars and how the scholarship he received has impacted his life.

Linton is extraordinarily mature for a boy of 15.  He has grown up with his parents and 3 siblings in Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum.  Linton describes where the family lives: “We live in a 1-room house in Kibera.  My parents rent a second room not far from the main house since one room gets crowded for the six of us.  The two houses can become muddy when it gets wet and we share our accommodations with rats and cockroaches.  No one dreams to live in such a place, but no one gets to choose where to and where not to live.  It’s where I study, eat and sleep.  I pray and dream that one day I will be living in a nice home and will build one for my parents.”

In addition to being mature, Linton is extraordinarily bright.  He aced his entrance exam to secondary school, earning an EPN 4-year scholarship to one of Kenya’s top national boarding schools. Linton describes his school experience:

“I was enthusiastic to join a national school where teachers are devoted to their work and ensuring the best for their students.  When I entered school I was shy and expected the experience to be the most traumatizing in my life, but I was mistaken.  Life in high school is much more fun and enjoyable than it is at home. I am assured of getting breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, something I can’t count on at home.”

“High school has enabled me to meet people from all sides of our beautiful country.  I interact with students from diverse cultures and ways of life.  I thought most new subjects would be a horrific nightmare, but thanks to my teachers who encourage me to work hard, I got used to them and take my exams with confidence.  My best subjects are Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.  I believe we are living in a world of science and need to apply science in our daily lives.”

Linton has big dreams for his future.  “In terms of a career, I am considering two different fields.  The first is to study Aeronautical Engineering at the Thompson School of flying in South Africa. It would be a great pleasure to design planes that are unique and can transport goods and people from different places around the world.  My second dream is to pursue medicine and find solutions to many deadly diseases. By the end of my secondary school studies I hope to decide which career to pick.”

And Linton is grateful for his opportunity at a better life.  He says, “I really thank my sponsors for supporting me.  They have made my life simple by providing for my school fees, pocket money, shopping and even bus fare to school. The happiness that they have brought to our family cannot be weighed.  All that I have to say is a big thanks, and may God bless them.”

Little Rock Scholars' Stories

We wanted to let you know how your support changes lives forever. Stella Auma’s story is the first in a series of four. We will introduce you to Little Rock Scholars and let you know their stories of how the secondary school scholarship changed their lives.

Stella Auma

Stella Auma is 16 years old.  She grew up in Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum, with her parents and 4 siblings.  Her parents earn what they can as casual laborers but struggle to fund education for the children.  School fees are a major hurdle to higher education in Kibera.  As Stella says: “Here many people, especially boys, drop out of school due to a lack of school fees.  And in my own family it would really break my heart to see my older sisters who were thirsty for education staying home due to lack of school fees.”

Stella is an outstanding student who completed her primary education (8th grade in Kenya) in 2017.  She scored so well on the entrance exams to secondary school that she earned an EPN 4-year scholarship to attend one of Kenya’s national schools for the best and brightest students in the country. 

“Being of national status, my school demands that I do my best in my studies.  I get to meet students from all corners of Kenya and share ideas together.  It gives me hope of a brighter tomorrow where there is no poverty.”

Stella has big plans.  She dreams of attending London University to study medicine and become a cardiologist.  “Becoming a cardiologist means a lot to me.  It pains me to see rich people traveling abroad to get treatment while the poor languish in pain and poverty.  A friend of mine in primary school died because she had two holes in her heart and her parents lacked money to get her treatment.  Her condition is what inspires me to become a doctor.”

Stella is extremely grateful for her scholarship and the assurance that she can complete her secondary education without interruption.  “You have lit my candle and thus I shall go on to light candles for others.”

EPN Second Annual Little Rock University Scholarship Program Fund Drive

Last year’s university bound scholars

KIbera, the largest urban slum in Kenya

As you may recall, Kibera is the largest urban slum in Kenya. Living conditions there are horrendous - severe overcrowding, no running water, raw sewage in open trenches. There is a pervasive sense of hopelessness.  I have walked through Kibera. I have seen it firsthand. I sat with a family in their home and learned about their lives. That's why I am so eager to do my small part to help.  Little Rock Inclusive Early Childhood Education Centre, on the other hand, is an oasis for the disadvantaged children of Kibera, providing a host of programs that give the kids a chance at education and a better life

Little Rock Inclusive ECD Centre

Last year, we raised the entrance fees to send the first class of Little Rock Scholars to University.  Our program was successful and you can see updates on the by browsing the updates in last year’s fundraiser site.  The students are succeeding at universities, committed to contributing to their community, and very grateful for our help.  Without Little Rock and your help, these students would be on the streets struggling to survive. Because of your support, they are in universities around Kenya, learning skills to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. It is amazing. Thank you again for your help.

This year, ten Little Rock Scholars graduated from secondary school and qualified for university in Kenya.  Recall from last year that the Kenyan government, via it’s HELB program, will fund nearly an entire university education for deserving students.  These students must only pay the required entrance fees which amount to $500 per student.  Unfortunately, for these students from Kibera, that money is out of reach. EPN, through this program, is looking to fill that gap.  For $5000, we can change these ten deserving students’ lives by giving them the gift of a university education.

On March 26, we will launch this year’s fundraiser, introducing the students as we did last year.  Please look out for our email and posts next week, and please help if you can.  We know our program works.  Thanks for your help.  And if you can’t wait for next week, you can always donate here and your contribution will be included in our fundraising totals. 

Thanks! Sam Falk

More is better!

Another major priority of our trip to Niger was exploring opportunities for expansion.  Currently, there are 18 Farmers of the Future sites and we are eager to grow.  Each new site provides an opportunity to lift another community out of poverty.  But sites also serve as showcases for the power of the FOF concept.  After visiting our gardens, municipalities and development organizations are beginning to approach us and ask us to participate in their projects.   Our reputation is growing!  Here’s a great example of how momentum builds. 

Proud Farmers of the Future

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (a US-funded global development organization) recently granted the government of Niger the hefty sum of $437mm for agricultural development.  The money has been divided among several initiatives, including promoting irrigated vegetable production.  Right up our alley! 

One of the municipalities targeted for development is N’Dounga.  It borders on Liboré, where our 5 original sites are located.  Officials of N’Dounga have been impressed with Farmers of the Future and with LIBO, our local partner.  So, as they receive $3mm of MCC money for agricultural development, they are turning to LIBO for advice.  Eleven promising sites have been identified, ranging in size from 3 hectares (7 acres) to a staggering 60 hectares (148 acres!).  We will suggest developing those sites along FOF principles and providing technical support for at least several of them.  In addition to expanding FOF’s reach, these sites would provide an opportunity to show MCC the power of our concept.  And developing credibility within the Millennium Challenge Corporation would be huge!!

Planning will take place over the next several months.  We’ll share progress in upcoming posts. 

Stay tuned!