Shiko’s dream of a brighter future

Dear friends and family,

Some of you may know that Casey recently returned from a work trip to Kenya, where he and his team are working on sustainable water solutions in the arid region of Turkana. But there was one moment on this journey that would impact us in a different way.

Nearly a decade after we left Kenya, Casey had the chance to reconnect with Jonah and Esther, dear friends from Nairobi. In our time there they welcomed us and took care of us in so many ways, showing me, the curious "mzungu," how to navigate life in the bustling city—teaching me to cook traditional meals, to catch the right matatu, and to barter in the local markets. Their kindness was woven into the fabric of our experience there, and now, years later, those memories live on in our daughter, Lyra Malaika.

As Casey spent time with Jonah and Esther during his trip, he had the joy of seeing their son Ndegwa and meeting their youngest child, Natali, who he hadn’t met before. Sadly, their oldest daughter, Shiko, was at work that day. But Casey and Jonah decided to visit her at the store where she works, and on the way back, they spoke about Shiko’s plans for the future… Jonah told him about her dream to become a nurse, but that the reality of the cost of the two-year nursing program at Kabete Polytechnic in Nairobi, was putting that dream simply out of reach.

When Lyra heard this story, she was deeply moved. She looked up at us with wide, hopeful eyes and asked, "Can we help make her dream come true?"

This question stirred something powerful in our hearts. We realized that, together, we have the ability to turn this dream into reality—not just for Shiko, but for her entire family, and for the countless lives she will touch as a nurse.

The tuition for the nursing program at Kabete Polytechnic is $500 per year, with an additional $130 in mandatory fees. It may seem like a small amount in the grand scheme of things, but for Shiko and her family, it is a dream that feels just out of reach.

So, we are asking for your help. Let’s show Lyra—and the world—that when we come together, we can make a profound difference. By helping Shiko pursue her education, we are not just changing her life; we are creating a ripple effect that will touch her community, her family, and everyone she will one day care for as a nurse.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we can help make Shiko’s dream—and the dream of a brighter future—come true.

With love and gratitude,

Lyra, Casey & Natalie