In June, CLCL traveled to Kenya to see our sponsored children and assess the effectiveness of the CLCL-Kenya program. We could not be happier and prouder of the work completed by our Executive Director, Wyclif Gitonga, and our Program Manager, Fridah Makandi. 

We had two sponsors join us for their first visit to Kenya, Kathryn Wynne and Joan Haefner. Enjoy reflections shared by Kathryn! 

Hi! My name is Kathryn Wynne and this was my first trip with the CLCL team to Kenya. The trip meant a little extra to me, because I got to see the organization that my mother, Jennifer, has brought to life. Getting to put faces to names of incredible Kenyans I have heard about for years, and finally seeing what this mission is all about, in person, was incredibly special. 

I have two memories that stand out to me the most. The first was getting to meet my sponsored child, Brendah. I started sponsoring Brendah about five years ago, and I had the chance to meet her in person this year at Sponsored Kids Day. Being able to hug her and hear about her life in person was truly a gift. 

My second memorable moment was being able to provide oral health education at two of our sponsored schools. I am a dentist, so it was extraordinary to speak to the kids and some of their parents about oral care and answer their questions. I hope I made an impact and that everyone learned how to take care of themselves a little bit better, but it was so fun to see the joy on the kiddos’ faces as we passed out toothbrushes and toothpastes, and then seeing some of them brush their teeth at a fountain later that day. 

Thank you for the chance to be part of this fantastic organization, and I look forward to all the life-changing things that CLCL will do in the future! 



Love, 

Kathryn

CLCL has the potential to create significant Change. However, turning these visions into reality often hinges on securing the necessary funding. This is where the power of grants comes into play, and your help can make a profound difference. 

We are currently looking for dynamic volunteers who are eager to dive into the world of grant searching and proposal writing. This is an incredible opportunity for individuals looking to make a tangible impact and support meaningful projects that Change Lives. 

Who Are We Looking For? 

We need individuals who are: 

• Passionate about making a difference and contributing to helping vulnerable children in Kenya. 
• Keen to learn or have experience in grant research and writing. 
• Able to volunteer remotely with access to a computer and internet. 
• Committed to dedicating a few hours per week to searching for grants and working on proposals. 

Previous experience is optional, as we value enthusiasm and a willingness to learn above all. We believe in the power of our volunteers and are committed to providing the necessary training and resources to ensure your success in this role. 

How to Get Involved 

We'd love to hear from you if you want to volunteer with us. Please email us at info@changinglenseschanginglives.org, expressing your interest and any relevant experience you have. We're excited to welcome you to our team and embark on this rewarding journey together. 

Let's harness the power of grants to fuel our projects and propel CLCL forward. Join us in making a lasting impact – one grant at a time. 

Prepared by:

Wyclif Gitonga

CLCL's guiding principle is to ease the suffering of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Kenya. Our sponsorship program has supported numerous children in achieving their academic goals. These children from impoverished families often face significant emotional challenges. CLCL provides the sponsored children with essential emotional and psychological support, enabling them to overcome adversity and build brighter futures. 

Before their sponsorship, many of our children who have earned various degrees/diplomas or certificates could only dream of completing their education. However, with the sponsorship, they have completed their tertiary education and acquired the skills and knowledge essential for economic and personal development. These accomplishments will empower them to become self-sufficient members of their communities and break the cycle of generational poverty. 

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, 19 of our sponsored children have earned the following degrees, diplomas, and certificates. These qualifications will be invaluable in securing access to basic necessities and improving their quality of life. We look forward to seeing what the future brings to our future high school graduates! 

Degrees 

• Bsc. Medical Laboratory  
• BA. Purchase & Supply chain management  
• BA. Sociology and Geography  
• Bsc. Information Science (records) 
• Bsc. Telecommunication & Information Engineering 
• BA. Education - (Mathematics)  

Diplomas  

• Dip. In Nursing  
• Dip. Mass Communication (2) 
• Dip. Social Work & Community Development  
• Dip. In Flight Dispatch & Operations  



Certificates  

• Artisan in Plumbing 
• Cert. in Automotive Engineering (Mechanic) 
• Cert. in Secretarial Studies  
• Cert. in Beauty & Hairdressing  
• Cert. in Tailoring & garment making  
• Cert. in Baking & Pastry 
• Cert. in Plant operator (2)  

Thank you, Bob Parsons! 

All of us at CLCL want to express our deep appreciation to outgoing board member Bob Parsons for his dedication and hard work. Bob has served CLCL tirelessly since 2017 as a board member and liaison between CLCL and Westview Presbyterian Church in Longmont, Colorado. His commitment was a vital part of our success and growth. Among other duties, Bob was responsible for sending our sponsors updated reports and images of their sponsored children. We are sad to see Bob leave, but we are grateful for the time, energy, and wisdom he has shared with us. Thank you for everything, Bob! 

Welcome, New Board Members! 

CLCL recently added two new board members. Robin Hill will replace Bob Parsons as liaison for Westview Presbyterian, and Robin Henry will fill an open position. Both ladies have sponsored children with CLCL for many years. Additionally, Robin Henry has been an active volunteer, helping with CLCL’s newsletter and website. Following are their short bios, which will soon be posted on our website. Welcome, Robin and Robin! 

Robin Hill is a Colorado native who joined the Changing Lenses, Changing Lives board in May 2024. She recently retired from a career in Procurement at a manufacturing firm, where she was employed for the past 39 years. She and her husband reside in Longmont, CO.  

Robin Henry is a retired IT professional who worked 35 years in the corporate world in various capacities to support implementation of technology solutions across the enterprise. One of her roles gave her the opportunity to travel all over the world, including many trips to Africa. She holds a BS in Business Administration from Colorado State University. She enjoys many outdoors activities and is an active volunteer in her community. She is the mother of two grown children and Mimi to her 4 grandchildren. 

Prepared by:

Wyclif Gitonga

In the heart of a small village in Meru, Valary’s mother was met with an unexpected challenge. She lost her husband in 2021 after a short illness, she was left alone to raise her three children and struggled to make ends meet. She sought help from her relatives, who in turn rejected them, and she was forced to live in a small rented house. Since the death of her husband, Valary’s mother's days have been filled with relentless struggle. She works long hours on people's farms, tending crops and working on construction sites for pay that barely sustains their family. On days when she cannot find work, Valary and her siblings go to bed on an empty stomach, hoping the next day will be better. 

It is undoubtedly sad that Valary and her siblings have not experienced uninterrupted learning, as they are regularly sent home for school fees and other necessities. They also lack access to health services because their mother’s income is insufficient to buy food or pay their rent. The family of four share a small bed, as there is no room for an extra one, nor can they afford to rent a more spacious house. In addition, learning from home is a challenge, as they lack comfortable furniture to make their learning experience better and more enjoyable. 

The twelve-year-old girl in grade 7 has, over the years, become increasingly aware of their circumstances as she has witnessed the hardships her mother has endured and the sacrifices she makes to provide for them. However, instead of feeling discouraged, Valary has been inspired by her mother's resilience. She has been working very hard in her studies to improve her family’s living standards. In her recent examination, she emerged as the top pupil in her class and secured the 6th position among hundreds of learners across thirty-six (36) primary schools. Her happy demeanor and commendable oratory skills cannot be ignored. 

Valary dreams of becoming a journalist and inspiring others. She loves to read and write, and her teachers say she has a natural talent for storytelling. However, without your support, Valary's bright future may be dimmed by the harsh realities of poverty. By sponsoring her for just $39  per month, you can help her achieve her dreams and break the cycle of poverty for her family. Your generosity will provide her with tuition, meals, school uniforms, comfortable bed and bedding, and access to quality healthcare and allow her to reach her full potential. 

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!