How will
funds be used?
If you elect
to sponsor a child for an entire school year, those funds will
be deposited directly into the bank account of the school the
child attends. Each sponsor will receive progress reports for
their student at the end of each school term. Other donations
will be pooled and used to purchase books and school supplies
for schools which are in dire need.
How do
you select the students who will participate in your programs?
Hope for
Kenya's Kids has a dedicated staff of volunteers in Kenya who
conduct interviews with our prospective students and their families
to evaluate the circumstances which prevent the child from continuing
their education. Students are selected to participate in our
programs only if it is apparent they would otherwise have to
drop out of school due to the lack of financial resources. The
student must also have a record of previous academic performance
which demonstrates their interest in continuing their education.
During the interview process, we stress the importance of family
support in ensuring that the student attends classes regularly
and that he/she is given the time necessary to complete homework
assignments.
The final
step in the selection process is to meet with educators and
leaders in the communities where our students live to solicit
their recommendations. Teachers and other acquaintances of the
student are often able to provide valuable information regarding
the student's determination to succeed and their academic potential.
Who manages
the distribution of funds?
All funds
are managed and distributed by the members of the Board of Directors
of Hope for Kenya's Kids.
Meet
our Board
Officers:
Sandra Fenley, President
Sandra is retired from her position as a project
manager in the computer systems department of
a national newspaper. Hope for Kenya’s Kids grew
out of her recognition that the students of Kenya face
impossible odds in their quest for the education that they
so desperately want. She travels to Kenya frequently
to meet with students and educators.
Shirley Hays, Vice President
Shirley is the former Deputy Under Secretary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Previously she served as Director of White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Commerce and was also on the staff of the White House and U.S. House of Representatives.
Dr. Shirley Jankelevich, Medical Advisor
Dr. Shirley Jankelevich is a pediatrician who works at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, as a specialist in Pediatric Infections Diseases. She has worked as a Medical Epidemiologist in the State Department of Health in South Carolina and also participated in clinical research in Pediatric HIV for many years at the US Federal Government's National Institutes of Health. Dr. J, as most people call her, feels that better education for Kenyan children may help decrease the incidence of poverty and HIV in Kenya
Michael Didyk, Treasurer
Michael graduated from The City College of New York with a B.S. in Physics and then from the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne FL with an M.S. in Physics. While he was attending school in Florida, he worked at the Kennedy Space Center and was instrumental in the success of the Apollo Program. In 1972 Michael joined the FBI as a Special Agent and spent most of his career at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC. After traveling extensively throughout the US and internationally, he retired, in 2008.
Directors:
Diane Donnelly, Director
Diane Donnelly graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Retail Merchandising. She has over 20 years of experience in budget, finance, and employee relocation programs. She is very involved in civic, charitable, and cultural activities.
Richard Donnelly, Director
Dick is a former career member of the Federal government's Senior Executive Service, with a background in administration, program management, and public and congressional relations.
He received the Meritorious and Distinguished Presidential Rank
awards for his work as a principal authority on the nation’s
industrial resources.
.Helen Gaul, Director
Helen is retired from 36 years in broadcast accounting in Washington, D.C., and received the Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of TV Arts and Sciences in 2000. She is an active volunteer in several organizations, including the
Smithsonian National Zoo. She’s made numerous trips to developing countries, and believes in the importance of giving students an opportunity at further education.
Liesl Gromen, Director
Liesl is an IT manager at a national newspaper, and an experienced trainer and facilitator. Her friendship with Sandra, plus several trips to Kenya, sparked a real interest in the future of young students, especially the girls, in that country. She plans on using her presentation skills to help in communicating Hope's mission.
Nancy Gromen, Director
Nancy works as a web developer in the Education department
of a national newspaper. Her interest in Hope for Kenya’s Kids
began when she met several of the first sponsored students while on safari with Sandra. Hope represents an exciting new
direction for her interest in secondary education, and she plans to utilize her web skills to increase exposure and communication for the organization.
Christianne Mesolella, Director
Christianne is a pediatric nurse who worked at both All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and the University of South Florida. She is currently working on her master’s and doctoral degrees at USF with a focus in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS. Christianne has received both the DAISY Award and the Nursing Spectrum Award which nationally recognized her care of the pediatric population with acute/chronic needs. Her passion for the education and care of patients with HIV/AIDS led her to support Hope for Kenya’s Kids and their miraculous endeavors.
