2024 was one of our biggest years to date, expanding our projects to empower even more children living in extreme poverty through education in Kenya and Tanzania. Along the way we celebrated some milestone moments, including Edwin’s graduation!

So They Can met Edwin back in 2011 when he joined Miti Mingi Village in Kenya. At just 8 years old he had already experienced terrible hardship, and was very scared and quiet. Over time, with the support of the nurturing Miti Mingi environment, his teachers and community at Aberdare Ranges Primary School, and his wonderful sponsor family in Australia, he gained confidence and discovered his passion for drawing and the arts.

At his graduation, Edwin told us: “I truly love painting; it runs through my veins, and I find pleasure in it. I am always happy when I am painting.”

Edwin’s personal growth and educational journey would not have been possible without his loving and committed sponsorship family, The Bloxhams, who supported him from the moment he stepped inside his first classroom at Aberdare Ranges Primary School, right up until today. 

Throughout the years they stayed in regular contact with each other through the power of letter writing and became important parts of each others’ lives — exchanging updates twice a year so the Bloxhams could hear about Edwin’s highlights and progress, and Edwin could learn about theirs. 

Reminiscing over their first memories of Edwin, Andrew Bloxham said:

“Edwin was an inquisitive, quiet character at first. He would observe everything around him and once he saw what he wanted to do always showed great application. Over the years, as he developed, his quiet demeanour did not stop Edwin from being a leader amongst his peers. The other children looked up to Edwin and he looked after them. He had a beautiful nature.

“It has given myself, my wife and daughter great satisfaction and enjoyment to see the fine young man that Edwin has become. It has been an amazing journey and one we are proud to be a part of.”

It’s easy to focus solely on the life-changing difference that sponsorship has on our students’ lives, but the reality is that it’s a truly reciprocal experience that positively impacts both parties tremendously.

As the sponsor, your entire world will open up — having the opportunity to form a real and lasting connection with a student in Kenya, discovering what life is like in another part of the world, and building a deep understanding that your generosity can truly make a world of difference. 

If you’re inspired to become a sponsor after reading this, please join us today by clicking here.