The Montgomery County Region Student Government Assication (MCR-SGA) plans to harness the goodwill of Montgomery County students in an effort to raise money for the Kikulumi Primary School in Kenya. They are trying to give the students of Kikulumi PS a quality education that will help them do well on national tests and examinations.

To raise this money, MCR-SGA will try to persuade MCPS schools to raise $100 each. The schools have the power to raise this money whichever way they think will be most efficient. The Springbrook SGA plans to raise their $100 by doing various small fundraisers such as bakesales and setting up donation boxes.

“We will forward our money to a locally based charity organization called Kenya Connect, and they will carry out the projects that MCR-SGA funds,” Damascus senior and MCR member Michael Hagan said.

Kenya Connect is an organization that provides Western students with the opportunity to learn about Kenya’s Kamba culture through pen-pal exchanges and school sponsorships. Its programs provide an opportunity for a better future through education and exchange and lay the foundation for a true global community.

The staff includes Executive Director Tim Gregory who attended this MCR-SGA meeting. Though this is the first year doing business with the Kenya Connect organization, MCR-SGA does an annual charity like this.

Vice president Tim Hwang is responsible for having contacted Tim Gregory. After some time, MCR-SGA members started pen-paling the students of Kikulumi PS.

MCR-SGA is raising money for several things that Kikulumi PS needs such as a water tank, a fence (local goats eat crops), school uniforms, athletic and recreational equipment and other school necessities such as desks.

“We have set a goal to purchase a new water tank for the school, as their old one is not sufficient for the school population. This will cost about $2000. If our 25 high schools work together; however, we can far exceed this goal and make an even bigger difference for this needy community,” Hagan said.



Many members of MCR-SGA are excited about this project and how it will help Kikulumi Primary School.

“I think the project is great! We’re moving from helping kids in the U.S to helping internationally! I also think this project will be very successful, as many kids are interested and actions are already being made to aid Kikulumi,” sophomore Kapil Chauhan said.

Chauhan feels as if this project stands out in comparison to the ones in previous years. He believes that this one has a lot of potential.

“This is different, for one, we’re doing this internationally. Secondly, many more kids are helping out with the fundraising and many Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) SGAs’ are already making progress in raising money. There’s not necessarily a mark to reach up to, but in this charity, we’ve set a goal of $2000, which is about $100 from each MCPS,” Chauhan said.

To donate money to the Kenya Connect, they can be reached at kenyaconnect.org/form.htm. To find out more information on other projects go to kenyaconnect.org/index.htm.