DS9 Document EFTA01114096

r *vil THE THORN TREE 7tm P ROB Providing education to the children of the nomadic tribes in rural Kenya What is the Thorn Tree Project? The Thorn Tree Project is a 100% volunteer-run organization that came together to help the Samburu people of northern Kenya realize their dreams of providing education their children and secure the Samburu's future. Our mission is to help as many of the Samburu youth as possible to go to school and to receive the level of education that they and their families desire. Who are the Samburu people? The Samburu are a nomadic, pastoralist people in northern Kenya. They live in one of the poorest and most marginalized parts of the world, with no roads, electricity, hospitals, prenatal care, running water or telephones. Their traditional way of life is thousands of years old, but is rapidly changing as they face the challenges of the twenty first century. How is the Thom Tree Project making a difference in the lives of the Samburu? Increasing the number of student enrollment: In 2001, only 130 students were going to school. We now have 1,030 students in primary school (grades 1-8) and 380 students in 14 preschools that can travel with the nomadic people. Improving infrastructure at the schools: Most of the children at school need to board because their parents migrate anywhere from 15 to 60 kilometers away from the schools. We built twelve dormitories with showers, toilets and solar-powered lighting. We installed a borehole and a solar pump, new kitchens with eco stoves, and three new classrooms. We also provide an ambulance with a driver. Improving grades: The government gives the schools less than 50% of what the students need for a basic, yet adequate level of education. We close the gap with much-needed teachers, sound nutrition with Unimix for breakfast and a herd of camels to provide a daily glass of milk for each child. We also built two libraries with over 2,500 books. Providing secondary education: High school and technical school are not free in Kenya, so we look for generous individuals in the U.S. and Europe willing to sponsor our top performing students. Our sponsorship program has enabled us to send 150 students on to the best high schools, colleges and technical schools in the country. With a degree, they can find great jobs, send money home to their communities, and later return as much-needed teachers, nurses, builders, carpenters and community workers, etc. Where will my donations go? The Thorn Tree Project has no overhead or administrative costs (other than tax returns), so all of your donations and charitable contributions go directly to the Samburu children. The Thorn Tree Project is registered as a 501c3 nonprofit organization called the Sereolipi Nomadic Education Foundation. Sereolipi Nomadic Education Foundation, Inc., 350 East 79'h Street #37B, New York, New York ioo75 www.thorntreeproject.org EFTA01114096