Children of Bukati PHOTO GALLERY PAGE 7 - 2008 Graduating to High School

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One of the Bukati-Project Goals is: Educate all AIDS orphans in Butula, Western Kenya Provide pencils, pens and school uniforms to all AIDS orphans and destitute children in the rural village of Butula in Western Kenya so they can attend the Bukati Primary School. Ensure that girls are being educated, by aiming for approximately equal numbers of girls and boys to go to school. Currently 48% of the new AIDS orphans in the program are girls
Above: the 3 students (Julianna, Sole, Denis) graduated from Bukati primary School, into High School, in December 2007. These 3 children are being sponsored by several individuals whose desire it was to support high school students. The children were selected based on being an AIDS orphan or a destitute child in our COB (Children of Bukati) project and by achieving the highest academic standing on the standard national grade 8 examinations. We selected the top girl and the top boy and then the next with both high academic standing and leadership skills. The following is an excerpt from Dr. Cate Dewey's email about the students, and funding: "I told Nick (Principal of Bukati School) that although we were able to get funds for 3 high school students last year, I am not sure whether or not that would happen in the future. [note: this has now happened] The COB project was always about elementary school and as is, it has not been possible for us to raise enough money to feed the children 5 days a week. If we split our efforts to support high school students, then we will dilute the effort at the elementary school. Nick’s comment is that the current students saw that those that worked very hard were sent to high school and that if that does not continue, the academic effort may feel like it is in vain. I understand that sentiment. I also know that if we can get these children educated to at least the high school level, the chance that they will be leaders that change their communities and their country for the better will be greatly enhanced. It is hard not to be able to do it all." HIGH SCHOOL COSTS The cost for tuition, room and board for one high-school student, is $1,000/year. Of that, it is expected that the Kenyan Government will contribute about $200 / year. Therefore, the cost to fund them is $800 per child per year. The 3 high-school students here are NOT being funded by the Bukati Project. They are being funded by individuals, who have wanted to fund a specific person, versus a group. Please note - If you choose to fund a student entering high-school, to be fair to the student, you must commit to fund that student for the full 4 years of high-school. The school term runs from January 1 to December 31; there are one-month breaks for April; August; December. Note: For the 2008 graduating class, we already have sponsors for 2 students.
Above: The school sign for the high-school. These students have recently graduated from Bukati School, and are now attending the Buhuyi Mixed Secondary School. It is a boarding school.	Above: Denis Denis had the highest marks in grade 8 of all of the boys who are AIDS orphans. He is being supported by one woman who lives on Vancouver Island. He hopes some day to be an engineer.
Above: Julianna Julianna was the leader of the school when she was in grade 7 and grade 8. She was selected for both high academic standing and leadership skills. Her English is excellent. She hopes to be a pilot. Sept. 2008 Update: Julianna is now sponsored by a woman in Eden Mills, Ontario	Above: Sole Sole is the AIDS orphan who had the highest marks in grade 8. She is being supported by a group of people from Guelph, Toronto and the surrounding area. We are especially proud because she has just received the award for the highest marks in math in first term in grade 9.