Africa Education Fund

St. Martin's Girls' School - Nairobi, Kenya

In the Kibagare slum of Kenya, on the outskirts of Nairobi, sits St. Martin's Girls' School. For girls who live in the slums, who have been orphaned by AIDS, or whose parents lack sufficient income to pay for school fees, St. Martin's represents hope for both the girls and their community.

A refuge for girls who are academically motivated and driven by the desire to learn, St. Martin's provides a well rounded curriculum and a safe environment to foster academic and personal development.

St. Martin's has developed a deep and inspiring partnership with Salesforce.com that has taken the form of scholarships, volunteer engagement, a Salesforce.com sponsored IT lab, provision of Internet access, sponsorship for refurbishment of the dining room, science lab and a recreation field and purchase of new chairs and desks for the classrooms.

Inspired by the salesforce.com employee, Eugene Hillery, who first applied to the Foundation for a grant for the school in 2002, the Salesforce.com Foundation created a scholarship program for St. Martin's girls demonstrating leadership and a strong commitment to their education.

During the formative years of this program, students were sponsored directly by salesforce.com employees and their families. The program has grown considerably, and the Salesforce.com Foundation now sponsors 30 girls' secondary education as well as seven university students whose academic achievements merited continuing support.

In response to the program's growth, and the desire to double the secondary school scholarships and increase the university sponsorships, the Foundation has opened the program to the global employee base and the public.

A contribution of $650 per year covers one girl's school tuition fees, room and board, two school uniforms, and one pair of shoes. Contributions of any amount are appreciated and welcome.

Currently, thirty girls receive full scholarships to St. Martin's Secondary School through the Salesforce.com Foundation. Though Kenya has introduced plans to provide secondary education for free, it is currently only available at a cost that is prohibitive to the majority of the population. Seven girls, identified for their academic excellence, determination and leadership by Sister Florentina Ndunge, Head Teacher at St.Martin's School, currently receive full university scholarships as well.

Click here to make a donation.

Click here to read letters from St. Martin's students.