The diverse projects of Kianda Foundation that have emerged over the last nearly 50 years have been made possible by the generous funding of both local and international donors. The fundraising continues to be carried out both locally and abroad. Her Excellency Ms Aurelia Brazeal (American Ambassador to Kenya, September 1993-July 1996) in a speech at a graduation ceremony in Kimlea congratulated the organizers of the school on the transparency with which the donor funds had been utilized. "This is a clear proof, she said, of what can be done when funding is used in its entirety for the purpose for which it was intended."

How the projects are initiated

Kianda Foundation projects have always been based on the specific needs for women's development at any given time and continue to follow that policy. The aims of the Trust include women of all social strata. This is because the Trustees are aware that women are the key to long-term development at all levels.

It is for this reason that the activities of the Foundation are varied; since the needs are varied.

Do those who take part in our projects pay?

The Kianda Foundation projects are set up on the basis of self help, so that even in the outreach programmes the beneficiaries are required to pay something.

Kianda School is the only project that charges fees that meet its recurrent expenditure. At the same time, about 10% of the students are on scholarships. Kianda Foundation is responsible for these scholarships, as well as for future development of the school and other projects.

Challenges for the future

Meeting the recurrent expenses of all these projects, as well as financing those who qualify but cannot afford fees, is a yearly struggle for Kianda Foundation that has to find the resources. It is a constant concern that takes up energies that could otherwise be used to develop new initiatives.

It was through the Ford Foundation that the idea of establishing a Scholarship Endowment Fund came up and was seen to be the solution to the short-term problems. This Fund will make it possible at any one time to finance the women and girls studying in the Kianda Foundation institutions, by means of scholarships in perpetuity.