Support Early Readers at Usalama Comprehensive School

Educational opportunities such as access to a library with a large variety of books are critical components in early childhood education. The funds raised through this GoFundMe page support expanding the number of books at the Usalama Comprehensive’s classrooms and library in Kibwezi, Chyulu Hills, Kenya. My goal is to help the children in this community have access to more early readers in their school library, and I am asking you will help me reach this goal.

My name is Alden King, and I am an eleventh grader at Steller Secondary School in Anchorage, Alaska. Five years ago, my family and I worked with Wusi Primary in Taita Hills Kenya, and it was an amazing success. We raised funds for the school to buy new, age appropriate reading books and textbooks for K-8 students so every child could have a textbook for every class instead of having to share. We have seen a consistent 25% increase in scores for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam at Wusi Primary School. This test is administered to 8th graders and determines which, if any, secondary schools they are eligible to attend. The secondary school a child is accepted to directly impacts the student’s future employment eligibility and earning potential.

Usalama Comprehensive has asked us to partner with them to expand their library so that they can provide more books, particularly early readers, for their students. In the words of Usalama's Headmaster “Our greatest need is early reading books for young learners to improve literacy rates”

I am very thankful for the opportunity to make a difference. All contributions will be used to expand educational opportunities and school infrastructure improvements at Usalama Comprehensive and will have a lasting impact for the children in this community. Additionally, all donations are tax deductible through our recent incorporation as a recognized 501(c)3 organization.

Here is some information we received from our partners at the Usalama Comprehensive school about what different funding levels would provide to the project:

$5 will buy 5 elementary readers for grades K-1;

$10 will buy 4 English readers for Grades 5-6;

$20 will buy 5 general reading books for the library;

$25 will buy 15 locally printed Swahili readers for Graders 4-8;

$100 will buy science or social studies books for an entire classroom.

Please join me in supporting this project's goal of assisting the Usalama Comprehensive school in expanding their library and ensuring enough text books for all students!