Keever, McKeegan, Cunningham raise awareness of poverty in Kenya by starting Kids for Kenya Club

By Stacy Cruz
Staff Writer

Costa juniors Caroline Keever and Macy McKeegan fight to end poverty on the other side of the world by starting the Kids for Kenya Club here at Costa.

According to Keever, the goal of Kids for Kenya is to spread awareness about the lack of basic necessities and education in Kenya. The Kids for Kenya organization works to raise funds to support the growth of primary school education facilities across the country.

“We are trying to raise awareness about the harsh realities of life in Kenya and make life easier for the local children by raising money to improve their quality of life,” Keever said.

According to Keever, the idea for the club came from freshman Vice President Jackson Cunningham. The Cunningham family took a trip to Africa three summers ago and learned about the Kids for Kenya organization through an African priest. Inspired by their willingness to help people in need, Keever, McKeegan and Cunningham chose to bring Kids for Kenya to the Costa campus.

“Jackson and I decided to bring the club to Mira Costa so that we can continue to increase awareness and the global reach,” Keever said.

As presidents of the club, Keever and McKeegan generated the idea to participate in local fundraisers and gain publicity for their cause at local events, such as those organized by the South Bay Boardriders Club.

“We have not thought through all of the details or specifics, but we definitely want to fundraise and raise awareness at local events,” Keever said.

Kids for Kenya will have weekly meetings to discuss fundraising and publicity campaigns every Wednesday in room 79 starting on Oct. 20. Current club members are working diligintly to recruit new members by spreading the word and encouraging students to join their cause.

“We are trying to create a solid foundation for the club and inspire students to get involved,” Keever said. “Once we achieve that, I believe that our club will be capable of exposing to the Costa community the poverty that many people outside our local ommunity endure daily.”