In 1999, Tara Chandler, an Antioch college student who grew up in TJUC, took an international coop position at an orphanage in Kenya. There she taught preschool and developed a special relationship with Linda and one of her male cousins who was the same age.

Four years later, the director of the orphanage invited Tara’s mother, Gail, to visit. After the visit, Gail asked TJUC to develop a sponsorship program for the children at the orphanage. The program started in 2004. Tara directed her mother to sponsor Linda and her cousin.

Gail’s relationship with Linda has always been special. They correspond through the KEAP Question Time program and visited in person five times when Gail visited Kenya. On each trip, Gail would take Linda, her cousin, and two of their friends shopping. Then they would eat at a local restaurant in Kisumu. When Linda grew older and was attending boarding school, Gail would visit her home and they would walk into Gisambai, a local village.

Linda needed to work harder in school and they discussed this on one of their walks. Linda’s grades greatly improved. Later, when she was in secondary, her grandmother passed away. Linda’s grades dropped and never recovered. Though she graduated from high school, she did not qualify for university and was greatly disappointed for she had always dreamed of being a doctor or a nurse.

Vocational school seemed the best option and Linda choose Catering and Hospitality, though she still had to work through not becoming a nurse. She did very well in her program and was placed at an excellent hotel for her practicum.

Linda and Gail made contact through Facebook. They discussed school, the weather, religion, and cultural differences on dealing with dogs, exercise and the many things a mother might discuss with a daughter. Linda, in fact, addresses Gail as Mum or Mummy and often mentions missing her. Linda has grown into a self-confident and attractive young woman.

Linda has now been hired at the hotel where she did her work-placement and her employment future looks secure. Gail’s mentoring has been important, but none of this could have happened without KEAP.