December 2018 Newsletter — The Geno Project

Dear Reader,

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!
Welcome to your December newsletter.

Idhinade?
This means “how are you” in Luo, which is the local language from Kendu Bay. Today we will give you an update on what has been happening this year.

In this newsletter we will

introduce you to Ajode Eunice Atieno, who is one of our new graduates. She just graduated from Moi University this month.
introduce you to Amazon smile, which is a simple, yet effective way to help charities such as the Geno Project
report on the third annual university student get-together. This event took place on 18th and 19th September and was organised by Solomon. Similar to the previous years, it has been described as a success by the current university students and Geno alumni
have Stewart report about our visit to Kenya this past November. Paul and Seonaid Macdonald, as well as Murray’s son, Stewart, visited Osika and then Nairobi. This trip was a great opportunity for our trustees to connect with some of the Geno Project students.

The Geno Project is extremely happy to announce that during the bi-yearly commitments committee meeting in September, 5 further students have been accepted to the university scholarship program. This means we will have a total of 29 university students in our scholarship program. We are proud of our students’ continuous hard work and commitment and we look forward to reading more reports on our future graduates.

If you would like to support us with any of our scholarships you can donate by clicking the Donate button above.

We are also currently looking for a volunteer to drive our social media. If you are aware of someone who would be interested in taking this on a pro bono basis, please get in touch with us at the email provided below. We appreciate all assistance and financial support.

To find out more about the Geno Project please visit our website at www.genoproject.co.uk. Here you can read about what we do, donate and find out how else to get involved. Alternatively, you can get in touch by email at info@genoproject.co.uk.

Your Geno Team
SC045720

Eunice

Hello,

My name is Ajode Eunice Atieno. I am a first born in a family of five. I am 23 years old and come from Karachuonyo, Osika village. I enjoy travelling and experiencing new places.

My early life was a difficult one that no one can ever believe, not even myself! I still shed tears when I flashback to that kind of a living. Coming from a polygamous family and my mother being the second wife made things even worse for me. We could face all the hatred and intimidation from my step-mother, half brothers and sisters. What frustrating moments these were! I was not brought down by all this, but instead, they were encouraging factors that kept on pulling me up as I knew that just as love, hatred is also blind, making human beings prone to believe things that simply are not true. I always wanted to prove them wrong. I could go to school on a hungry stomach or sometimes miss school because of the insufficient financial and emotional stability at home. I kept on working extra hard in school believing that one day, things will change.

I sat for my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2009 and managed to score 341 marks. This was a remarkable job to me and an answered prayer because I was the best girl and as GENO project was sponsoring best boy and girl, I got the scholarship. This was the first time that I shed tears of joy and felt special. I went to Kisumu Girls High School; one of the best schools in the country.

In High School, life seemed better though still with few challenges like adapting to the new environment and emotional torture from home. Thanks to the GENO project that was paying my school fee, I was not sent home a single day due to not being able to pay school fees. Like other students, I worked hard knowing what I wanted in life. I did my Kenya Certificate of Secondary School (KCSE) in 2013 and got a mean grade of B plain.

I later joined Moi University in September 2014 to pursue a degree course in Bachelors of Travel and Tours Operations Management. I am in my final year and my last semester that will end in November. The graduation is scheduled in February next year. I feel I am no longer the same person, as lots of things have positively changed in my life, especially academically. I look forward to completing my degree, graduating, moving to the outside world and proceeding to attain a master’s degree thereafter.

Words can never be enough to thank all the Geno Trustees. I cannot thank you enough for your help. You are nothing less than a blessing from God. Please accept my vehement protestations of gratitude and a heartfelt thank you for your support. This kindness and support has left a great positive impact in me that will NEVER wear out.

God bless you, God bless us all!

Regards,

Eunice.

Amazon Smile

Amazon Smile is a new way of giving back to charities in a very simple, but effective way.

If you shop regularly with amazon.co.uk, you may have seen the advertisements for Amazon Smile. Amazon donates 0.5% of the net purchase price of eligible purchases to the charitable organisation of your choice.

You simply go to smile.amazon.co.uk, select The Geno Project as your chosen charity and let amazon.co.uk do the rest.

In the future, please make sure you make any purchases using the URL smile.amazon.co.uk.

Thank you for your continuous support!

Geno university student’s get together

The third annual university student get-together took place on 18th and 19th September in Osika. This recurring event is an opportunity for our university students to socialise with each other as well as express their views and share the experiences they have had in the various universities.

During this two day event, delicious meals are prepared by Rebecca and her team which are enjoyed by the students as well as the guest speakers.

The first day started with a welcome prayer and a short sermon by their church elder Joram Ouko. This was followed by a speech by Solomon about how hard work is crucial for the students to succeed. He advised the students to stay focused, determined and specific on their goals.

It was then the students turn to express some of their experiences and challenges from the past year. Notable challenges that had been mentioned were the lectures strike and the cultural shock (dress code, language, morality) they experience when joining university. Every student had an experience, whether this was a good one or a bad one, and each one felt it was an opportunity to learn various aspects of their new life.

The afternoon session was opened by Solomon who read out his speech. He mentioned some of the rules developed to govern the students and regulate the programs of the project. He put emphasis on a number of key issues and encouraged the students to keep close contact to each other and to the project. Solomon urged the students to continue to take their studies seriously as well as to expand their knowledge. His speech was followed by a couple of student speeches.

Isaya, one of the new students joining Kenyatta University, was given an opportunity to talk. He shared five points that were important to him, these include:

Having the desire to achieve
Being optimistic
Setting your goals high
Remaining focused
Be kind

He then concluded by passing his gratitude to all GENO trustees. He said that the financial support the team has given him will not go in vain.

Felix a student at Karatina University, was also given the opportunity to speak to the group. He admitted fault years back as he realised his mistakes and therefore decided to find his way back. He told the students the truth about hard work which comes with many obstacles. He said that the obstacles do not matter, what truly matters is the courage one takes to face the challenges. He reminded us that tomorrow belongs to us and we have to embrace it.

David’s speech was read and he appreciated the support of Paul and Solomon in his education. He urged the students to reflect who they are and who they want to become.

Cynthia spoke to the group; she appreciated the effort by Geno trustees to keep them in school. She didn’t believe that she could go this far. She urged the students to stay humble and respect their parents.

The first day was concluded by reading out one of the trustee’s speeches written by Murray. Murray’s speech explained how he embraced the marvellous effort of Solomon and Rebecca for organising a get-together. He quoted that every individual is their own role model to achieve success. Everyone needs to be positive to development.

The second day was filled with speeches by guest speakers, some more students and Paul’s speech was read.

The first guest speaker was Dan Aghan who encouraged the students to make the best out of their situations. The second guest speaker, Gladys Obel, discussed the challenges of a job seeker and encouraged people to be job creators. She concluded by explaining that a negative mindset is one of the major challenges the youth faces.

Our two newest graduates Willis and Eunice also delivered great speeches. Willis spoke about his journey and challenges he has experienced in the past 10 years while he has been supported by the Geno project. He was giving the students good advice.

Trustee visit to Osika & Nairobi – written by Stewart Mathieson

Early in November I was lucky enough to accompany Paul and Seonaid on an unforgettable experience in Kenya. Arriving at the village and being greeted by the residents of Osika was incredible. Finally meeting Solomon, Rebecca and all the people of the village couldn’t have been better as they were all so welcoming and kind. Being there for a few days taught me a lot, and really opened my eyes. To see things I’d never seen before and experience things I couldn’t imagine previously was amazing.

Giving the kids of the village a set of football strips donated by my club KSC Kilwinning Rangers was a special moment, and seeing a bit about everyday life in Osika was very humbling for me. It is something that will stay with me forever, the only downside was that I had to leave!

Later, meeting all the undergraduate students who GENO supports in Nairobi really topped off the trip. Hearing their stories and plans was exceptional. There was a lot of ambition and positivity in everyone. It was stunning to see.

Thanks to Paul and Seonaid for letting me join them on the trip, and also thanks everyone who was involved in organising it. It is hugely appreciated. I hope to repay the people of Osika for their warmth and hope to see them all again one way or another.