Overwhelmed by the need

As promised, here is an update on the needs of the students and the college. One of the most difficult and surprising aspects of our stay at Scott is the overwhelming need all around us. The drought in Kenya (at least this part of Kenya) is greater than we ever imagined. Most Kenyans are telling us that this drought is the worst they've experienced in 20+ years.

We have experienced tremendous needs on all levels. First of all, the college is in massive need of financial support. The students' fees only cover about 60% of the costs of their education at Scott. The rest is subsidized by giving from African and Western friends of Scott. But with the global recession, the giving to Scott has decreased dramatically leaving the college $60,000 in the red after last year and having to operate this year with a $60,000 budget deficit. The administration made a number of cuts for non-essential programs and services but still can't balance the budget. Right now the principal of Scott, Dr. Jacob Kibor, is traveling in the US in part to raise funds for Scott - we would appreciate prayers for him.

This situation is even more dire at Scott because of the students' inability to cover all of their fees. This is the third or fourth year of drought in Kenya, so many of the students have no way to raise their support. Their crops are dying, their animals are dying, and they have no other income source. The school has sent home more than two dozen students who cannot return this year because they failed to pay their fees (tuition plus room and board). It was painful to see those students leave. Some of the students were hanging around (hiding) the campus because they know while they are here they can get some food. If they go home there is no food.

Another significant percentage of the students have only paid enough in school fees to be around for a portion of the semester and they are hoping they can somehow raise the fees to remain for the rest of the term. It is altogether possible that we will send home another dozen or more students before the end of the term. (FYI a typical student pays about $1200 USD for the semester including room and board.) Many have only raised and paid less than $500. That, of course, puts an even greater strain on the college to raise the money that was budgeted from student fees. The school barely had enough money to pay faculty in August, raised some more to cover September bills, but is still unsure how it will pay all of the bills in November and December. That means the African faculty are suffering and may be forced to go for several weeks or months without pay until the school finds the money to pay them - a very difficult situation for many of these teachers.

But that's not the end of the need. We have learned that some of the married students (who are not on a meal plan) do not have food to eat at home. Their husbands/wives and children are going without food on a periodic basis. We eat three good meals a day and it is hard to live so close to people who are regularly going without. Thankfully the dean of students has started receiving donations for staples like beans, rice, flour, and sugar. He is working with some student representatives to make sure the most needy students get enough food to eat. We are contributing to that as we can.

We have had several students ask us to help them pay school fees - or to find a sponsor in the US who will cover their fees. We've regularly encountered children and widows in town who ask us for money. We've even had a young girl come to the door asking for money so she can buy a pair of glasses. Our house helper, who sees the abundance in our home, has even shared some of her needs with us.

All of this need is very challenging. Of course our heart goes out to all of those who are in need, and we feel a bit guilty for being so well provided for. "Why us Lord?" We want to help everyone but not only is that impossible, it is not good since we don't want to create dependency.

We ask you to pray for the school, for the students who need school fees, for the many others who don't even have food to eat, and for wisdom for us as we try to meet some needs as God leads us.