It’s back to school time. Have you got your school shoes, books, uniform, and lantern with paraffin? Lantern with paraffin? That is not one of your typical school supplies if you live in the United States but children in the poorest area of Kenya in East Africa need nonelectric lighting to study in the evenings. The elementary school children of Roseland Christian School (RCS) on the south side of Chicago are also back to school, and at their school, 314 West 108th Street, the electric lights are on. They know that when they graduate from 8th grade they will go on to attend the high school of their choice. Not so in Kenya. Students there can only hope to attend 8 grades of school if they are fortunate. (The Kenyan government pays for only 8 grades of school, and families are too poor to pay for more education.)

As a way to serve others, RCS students, families, and staff will be contributing to a new effort called “Coins for a Cause.” The cause they have chosen to support this school year is called “Matanya’s Hope” named for a primitive school in Matanya, Kenya. They hope to raise $1,000 by giving their pocket change throughout this school year which will be enough to sponsor two Kenyan students to attain post-grade school educations. The donated money will buy uniforms, lanterns with enough paraffin to last a year, school shoes, gym shoes, books, and school tuition.

Roseland Christian School graduates go on to make important contributions to society after completing their educations and in their respective careers, and they would like to make that same opportunity available to grade school students in Kenya. For more information about RCS or “Matanya’s Hope” you can go to their websites: roselandchristian.org and matanyashope.org.