Kenya Community Outreach

Supporting the Chama Circle of Nairobi, Kenya, the Maasai Community in Narok, Kenya and the communities of our local hosts.

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

Honest Heart Journeys provides a circle of women, a world of connection and a path to transformation.  The Kenya trip aspires to build lasting relationships through ongoing collaboration with the local sisterhoods of the Chama Circle in Nairobi and supporting educational success and progress within local Communities. This will be accomplished by Cultural immersion, facilitating Global sisterhood, and voluntary Financial support. Future HHJ trips will continue this legacy.

We are committed to:

● Building effective relationships and partnerships

• Privacy and integrity in all financial and operational processes

● Accountability through proper documentation and reporting

● Prioritization on essential needs of the Communities

● Long-term legacy: ensuring continuity in Educational and Community support. 

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

1. Olesere Community via BasecampexplorerfoundationUSA.org

   1. Support essential needs of the Olesere School

   2. Education Initiative (ongoing support for no child left behind)

2. Ngochoni Petals of Africa School 

3. Nairobi Community & Chama School

KEY CONTACTS

1. HonestHeartJourneys Team * Define Roles?  Communications (One Voice)? Liaison w/ School/501c3

   1. Tina Marie Andres Tina Andres

   2. Jane Andresen Jane Andresen

   3. Rita Beard Rita Beard

   4. Jana Ellerman Jana Ellerman

   5. Jennifer Dale, Owner HHJ Jen@HonestHeartJourneys.com

2. 501c3: BasecampexplorerfoundationUSA.org

   1. Reed Thompson, Treasurer @rwtiii@comcast.net

   2. Copy: johnparker@bcefusa.org  

3. Olesere Community Education Initiative

   1. Chef Benson Lead OCEI @chefben02@gmail.com

4. Olesere Comprehensive School

   1. Lewen Sylvester, Head of school @lewensylvester@gmail.com

5. Ngochoni Petals of Africa School 

   1. Terry Ambugo HHJ Host and Founder @ambugot@gmail.com

6. Chama Circle

   1. (Grace?)

Q&A

General School Stats & General Funding:

1. How many students attend the Olesere School (boys and girls)? A. 1100 students (560 boys and 540 girls). ranging from grade 4  through grade 9.

2. How many students are boarded currently vs. the community need? A. 456 boarders and 644 Community needs. 4/23/26 Lewen wrote: We currently have **456 students in boarding**. Among these, about 120 students are in boarding but are struggling to pay tuition fees. In addition, we have approximately 70 students who qualify for boarding but are unable to join due to financial constraints faced by their families.

3. What is the drop out rate? A. Approximately 20%, girls are the most affected due to pregnancy cases and family poverty level. What happens with the scholarship $$ when a student has to drop out? 4/23/26 from Lewen: We do experience a small dropout rate of about **5% per year**. In such cases, the scholarship committee carefully reviews each situation, provides counseling and guidance, and prepares a report for the sponsor. If a student ultimately withdraws, the opportunity is **reassigned to another deserving student**, in consultation with the sponsor. Discrepancy in drop-out rate info: Is it 5% or 20%?

4. What are essential supplies for students? A. School meals,  instructional materials, sports equipment (balls, netball nets) and sanitary towels for girls. Are these things covered by fees paid by families/sponsors per student, or are these items all on a general wish list for the school, in addition to the grand list in Lewen’s office? 4/23/26 from Lewen: Items such as **school meals, instructional materials, sports equipment, and sanitary towels** are intended to be covered by the fees paid by families each term. However, due to the **low level of fees collected**, it is often difficult to meet all these needs. For this reason, they are also included as part of an **additional support wish list**.

5. What are essential “Prioritized” needs of the school? (1-5 year plan) * Ref. list (pics would be very beneficial to generate support).  A. 1. Lighting system 2.Feeding program 3.Dining Hall improvements (tables and chairs) 4. Dorm Beds  5.Teacher housing,lockers  6.Classroom chairs  7.Dorms. 4/23/26 Lewen shared a slightly different priority need: There are additional challenges beyond tuition fees. Our first priority is to **increase garden production** to help reduce food costs and reliance on external purchases. We also face limitations in **dormitory space and facilities**, which we are working to improve.

The original wish list we saw at the school in March 2026: 

WISH LIST COST

Girls' Dorm — $47,250.

40 dining tables — $3,150.

40 dining chairs — $1,575.

Lighting System — $7,875.

Teacher Housing — $47,250

Learner Lockers — $31,500.

Learner Chairs — $15,750

Boys' Dorm — $47,2754

Feeding Program — $7,875.00

Bunk Beds — $4,000.00

Read Tina Marie’s Blog on her experience with the Olesere School in Kenya!

An Awakening - My Kenyan Experience »