Students in the EASF-supported Education and Social Empowerment Program in Kenya have spent the past six months writing essays, and essays, and more essays— first, to practice for the SAT 1 exam, then for their college applications. Here are two excerpts from their college applications:

“The night is long, it seems like a whole year. I am very eager to see the dawn. It is cold, my tummy rumbles; it demands its right. Today it has not been satiated; the only handful [of] food is meant for the three toddlers, my cousins. I am sleeping on a bed made of a ground raised with soil above the level of the house. I am lying on one piece of cloth— I can feel the cold ground touch me. My blanket is a piece of jacket which used to be my uncle’s. My stomach has taken the better part of my brain. Though it is cold, that is negligible compared to the distress of the stomach.”

—Linus Kipkoech, Kiptogoch Village, Bomet County

“My face kept brightening as a new revelation sank deeper into my heart and mind. Reading The Myth of the Cave by Plato with my tutor [Paige Kouba] changed my entire view of the world of enlightenment as well as that of leadership…

“What a story it was! It spoke directly into me, and about me. I was considered a champion in my rural home, having gone to a national high school and obtained a grade A in my final examination. Looking at it, I have just begun my journey towards the outer space with a lot yet to learn. There is more to life than just following the common path that has left my neighbors wallowing in poverty. There is more to politics than the currently dividing strategies I see in my community and country today. Alcohol does not have to destroy our families as I see in my village today, if only we could get to the light.”

—Hepsiba Chepngeno, Kapkeregucho Village, Bomet County

The East African Scholars Fund board has approved an $11,000 grant to the Education and Social Empowerment Program in Nandi Hills, Kenya for 2014. The funds will cover all SAT and TOEFL test registrations and score sends as well as airfare for two American tutors. Last year EASF contributed $4000 to EaSEP.

EaSEP currently has 24 alums attending school in the U.S. and two more were admitted during early decision in December, at Yale and Cornell. Eight others from the Class of 2013 are currently awaiting regular decision results and helping with recruitment of the Class of 2014.

EaSEP students have been awarded close to $6 million in scholarships for an investment of approximately $125,000. That scholarship figure should increase after admission announcements this spring.

Michelle Kemei, above, is an early-decision admit to Yale's Class of '18. Michelle says her goal is "introducing sustainable forms of energy to rural Kenya to curb the depletion of natural resources by the residents for firewood and charcoal."