HELPING A KENYAN DIASPORA STUDENT IN DIRE NEED

Dear Friends,
We are appealing for an urgent need to support a Kenyan student who came in with the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) scholarship that required clearing outstanding tuition balances before beginning classes.  Mr. Joseph Odhiambo, the student, was admitted at the ETSU with a scholarship of $8,760 and was expected to pay a balance of $4,370.50 immediately, or risk losing his scholarship.

 In the past, students admitted with such scholarships were allowed to pay little amounts until the balance was fully paid. However, the new university polices require students to pay outstanding balances before starting classes. Our brother, Mr. Odhiambo came straight from Kenya and this is his first semester. He does not know anybody in the U.S., unless those around him choose to help.

Odhiambo, who had been staying with some Nigerian foreign students, was introduced to another Kenyan student, Tobias Oketch, whom I knew. Tobias took upon himself to take in Mr. Odhiambo and began living with him. It was Tobias who reached out to me to see how we could help Odhiambo. In the course, I tried to reach out to my own friends, like Rev. Mary Mercy, for prayers and ideas. Rev. Mary Mercy introduced the need to the WhatsApp Forums and then to Rev. Isaac Kariuki, the founder of the Diaspora Messeger. Rev. Kariuki has been very helpful in providing ideas about how we could seek support from other Kenyans.

I met Mr. Odhiambo for the first time on February 13, 2017, at the East Tennessee State University.  There, the Financial Office confirmed to us about the remaining balances. They also insisted that the amount be cleared as soon as possible to avoid being purged out of the system.

We appreciate all those who have come on aboard to assist in this matter. As a group, we are appealing to all those reading this message to assist brother Odhiambo so that he can retain his scholarship and remain in status. Although the remaining balance of $4,370.50 is our immediate goal, we would like to raise at least $10,000 to support a year’s tuition and to cover for other expenses until Odhiambo can begin some college work study.

You can assist Joseph Odhiambo with anything that the Lord puts in your heart.  Nothing will be considered too small; $10, $20, $500, and as big as the Lord will lead you.  May the Lord minister to your very needs as you reach out to bless Joseph Odhiambo at his time of need (Luke 6:38).