As we approach a significant milestone in our journey, we are thrilled to announce the 10th anniversary of CLCL! This is not only a moment of reflection and gratitude but also an opportunity to look forward to the future and the vital work that lies ahead. To commemorate this special occasion, Executive Director Wyclif Gitonga will embark on an exciting tour across several cities, engaging with our cherished supporters and sharing the remarkable progress we have made together.

Wyclif's visit will span three weeks, during which he will be visiting Longmont, Colorado, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Fort Worth, Texas, Austin, Texas, and Murphy, Texas. We are excited to offer over half of our sponsors and donors the unique opportunity to meet Wyclif and our Founder, Jennifer, as they share an inspiring presentation about CLCL’s mission and achievements.

Mark your calendars for these eight special events:



May 24: A gathering hosted by Cork Rowley in Longmont, Colorado.

May 25: Wyclif will be the guest speaker at Westview Presbyterian Church in Longmont, Colorado.

May 28: Join us for a fundraiser hosted by Jambo Bobcat Bites in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

June 1: Wyclif will address the United Church of Santa Fe.

June 4: A reception hosted by Steve and Nancy Barber in Southlake, Texas.

June 5: Wyclif will keynote at St. John the Apostle in Arlington, hosted by Jan Gerro.

June 8: Join us for a presentation at St. John's United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas.

June 9: A special reception hosted by Pam McGraw in Murphy, Texas.

These events are not just a celebration but are also integral to our goal of raising $10,000 to further our mission. Your support has always been vital, and we invite you to be a crucial part of this journey as we aim to make a lasting impact.

If you live near one of the event locations, keep an eye on your inbox for an Evite coming your way! For those who may not receive an invitation and wish to attend, please do not hesitate to contact us for more details. We would love for you to be part of these memorable gatherings.

Let’s celebrate our past, embrace the present, and build a brighter future for all. We can’t wait to see you at one of these exciting events! If you cannot attend an event, but would like to contribute to our celebration, please use the Donate Button below to help us reach our goal! 

Prepared by: Wyclif Gitonga

Veronica, a resilient and determined 24-year-old girl, recently achieved a significant milestone, graduating with a college degree in Civil Engineering from Nyeri National Polytechnic, one of Kenya’s leading institutions. Her path to success, however, was anything but easy.

Raised in a family of four siblings, Veronica’s life took a drastic turn in 2012 when she lost her mother. The tragedy forced her to move in with an older sister, as the family had already been separated from their father. With limited resources and mounting responsibilities, her sister struggled to care for the family and support Veronica’s education. As a result, Veronica’s primary school years were marked by frequent interruptions due to unpaid fees, despite her being a bright and motivated student.

Her fortunes changed in 2018 when she was awarded a sponsorship by Changing Lenses Changing Lives (CLCL). At that time, Veronica had just transferred to a more affordable secondary school, trying to adapt to the challenges her family faced. The CLCL sponsorship lifted a heavy burden off her shoulders, covering school fees and uniforms, which allowed her to fully focus on her studies.

The impact of this support was profound. With her basic needs met, Veronica thrived academically and eventually secured a place at Nyeri National Polytechnic. Out of 102 students who enrolled in her Civil Engineering course in 2022, only 33 have completed the program, and Veronica was proudly among them. Her success speaks volumes about her inner strength, the power of opportunity, and the importance of educational support in transforming lives.

Veronica’s story is not just a personal triumph; it is a beacon of hope. As the last-born child, she has broken barriers, and become the first in her family to earn a college degree. Today, Veronica stands as a symbol of possibility. Her journey from uncertainty to graduation is a testament to the power of the life-changing impact of CLCL’s sponsorship program. You can also be part of this great transformative program to change the lives of vulnerable children like Veronica’s sponsor has done to her.

Prepared by: Wyclif Gitonga

Gifton is a bright and determined nine-year-old who lives with his elderly, widowed grandmother under challenging circumstances. He was abandoned by his mother at the age of two after she was violently attacked by Gifton’s father, who developed a mental illness. Since then, Gifton has been under the care of his grandmother, who struggles to meet his basic needs. She lacks a reliable source of income and often has difficulty affording meals, clean bedding, school fees, uniforms, and other necessities. Gifton’s grandmother relies on well-wishers for all forms of support, including the church community, which has provided them with a small piece of land where she has built a modest structure. Despite these hardships, Gifton remains dedicated to his education, consistently achieving above-average results while also assisting his grandmother with household chores.

With sponsorship, Gifton will receive the support he needs to pursue his dreams. This opportunity will provide him with access to better educational resources, enabling him to excel even further and create a brighter future for both himself and his grandmother. This support will also ease the burden on his grandmother, ensuring a better future for him.

Gifton aspires to become a doctor, and your sponsorship can help make this dream a reality.

Reminder, CLCL Now Accepts Zelle! 

 

CLCL is excited to announce that you may now send your donations to us via Zelle! Simply instruct Zelle to direct your payment to: info@changinglenseschanginglives.org.  

As with your checks, CLCL does not incur a fee when you send us money via Zelle. If you want your donation to benefit a specific program, please send us an email telling us where to direct your gift, and we’ll do it! 

Of course, we still accept your cash and PayPal donations!