About Us

Envision Kenya: Philosophy, Core Mission, and Objectives

Education, wellness, and entrepreneurial programs for young women are the mission of Envision Kenya in Kapkemich, in rural Western Kenya.

The Vision: FOSA

Father Anthony Kiplagat shared his vision of educating young women in Kapkemich with Ruth Schukman-Dakotas and her husband Dan at their dinner table in Kansas City in 2008 while he was attending St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth. He told them he started Saint Anne's, a school for girls school, with 20 students before leaving for the U.S.

Ruth then decided to start a group she called Friends of St. Anne’s (FOSA) to further support Father Anthony’s dreams to educate young girls in Kenya.

The Dream Continues

Schools in Kenya fall into four different divisions – national, regional, county, and sub-county, with national schools being the best schools to attend, but extremely difficult to enroll in due to strenuous required testing and high tuition fees. St. Anne’s Girls Schools began as a sub-county school but with the assistance of Friends of St. Anne’s, the school has since been promoted to a county school.

Ruth, through FOSA, initially raised funds for the school’s library, a solar power system, a science lab, and a dormitory.

Today, Friends of Saint Anne's, through scholarships, provides these girls (whose families cannot afford the cost of tuition) the opportunity to recieve a quality education: beginning in high school and on to college.

The Need for Healthcare: VWHC

In Kapkemich students and members of the community had to walk miles for medical care.

In 2017 the Virginia Wright Health Clinic opened to the public thanks to a generous donation in honor of Virginia Wright. Along with medical care, the clinic provides Kapkemich and the surrounding community with health education, access to clean water, medical transport assistance, and family planning services.

Due to the pandemic and ongoing fianancial constraints, families in the community often struggle to pay even minimal fees for treatments and drugs. Donations continue to support the work of VWHC, and construction of an expansion space to accommodate more patients. Additional services began in 2019.

Lydia Kageha a FOSA scholarship recipient, graduated from Henry W. Block School of Management at the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2022, with a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis on healthcare. Lydia now resides in Kapkemich and is the Administrator of the Virginia Wright Health Clinic.

Economic Opportunity: Entrepreneurial Empowerment

Jobs are in short supply in Kenya, especially in rural areas like Kapkemich. Envision Kenya is developing curricula with partners to support entrepreneurial opportunities for women and men to create and operate successful businesses in and around the community. Vocational training, workforce development and new strat ups will broaden the career prospects for everyone in Kapkemich.

The Water Room, a water purification and distrubution facility, launched in 2023. This business currently employs 7  and will deliver clean drinking water to schools, churches, businesses and the broader community.

Key events in Friends of St. Anne’s Timeline:

2010
05/01/2010
Library building is completed
Library building is completed
2011
05/01/2011
Container of books, musical instruments, office equipment, and classroom supplies arrive for library
2012
05/02/2012
Constructed one of two government-required science labs
Constructed one of two government-required science labs
2013
05/01/2013
Shelving in the library is installed and filled with books
Shelving in the library is installed and filled with books
2014
05/01/2014
Through a collaboration with the World Energy Project, solar panels are installed at St. Anne’s Girls School.
Through a collaboration with the World Energy Project, solar panels are installed at St. Anne’s Girls School.
2015
05/01/2015
Friends of St. Anne’s Board of Directors recognized a need at the school and within the community of Kapkemich for more readily accessible healthcare and begin exploring the feasibility of constructing a clinic near the school
Friends of St. Anne’s Board of Directors recognized a need at the school and within the community of Kapkemich for more readily accessible healthcare and begin exploring the feasibility of constructing a clinic near the school
2016
05/01/2016
A designated donation was received to build the new clinic
A designated donation was received to build the new clinic
2017
05/01/2017
The Virginia Wright Clinic opens
The Virginia Wright Clinic opens
2018
05/01/2018
Friends of St. Anne’s received a grant from the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth to build a temporary, single room dormitory on the school property to enhance student security
2019
05/01/2019
The student dormitory is completed
The student dormitory is completed
05/02/2019
The Friends of St. Anne’s receive designated grants to purchase a transportation vehicle for clinic patients and for the construction of the ground-level of a three-story clinic expansion
The Friends of St. Anne’s receive designated grants to purchase a transportation vehicle for clinic patients and for the construction of the ground-level of a three-story clinic expansion
2020
05/01/2020
The Friends of St. Anne’s receive a designated grant to drill a water well to serve the school, the clinic, and the community as whole
2021
05/01/2021
The well is completed
The well is completed
05/02/2021
The Friends of St. Anne’s received a new grant to continue clinic construction
The Friends of St. Anne’s received a new grant to continue clinic construction
05/03/2021
Through a partnership with Aqua Viva, a water purification system in installed in the community
Through a partnership with Aqua Viva, a water purification system in installed in the community

Future Objectives for St. Anne’s Girls School

  • Fund scholarships for as many applicants as feasible, but fund at least 30% of the school body.
  • Build a dormitory to comfortably house 320 students.
  • Provide a variety of adult education and vocational training opportunities.

Entrepreneurial goals

  • Provide guidance to recent graduates on writing business plans.
  • Identify funding opportunities through partnerships and grants.
  • Implement an oversight system to track progress on funded business plans and provide guidance as needed.

Future Objectives for Virginia Wright Health Clinic

  • Continue construction of the additional clinic building with grants received for this purpose.
  • Add staff to meet the increasing patient load.
  • Provide a dedicated inpatient maternity ward.
  • Establish an eye clinic.
  • Establish a Dental clinic.
  • Establish an imaging center.
  • Establish services for patients living with HIV.
  • Provide mental/psychological counseling for victims of abuse and violence.

Three Core Pillars

The Envision Kenya model is made up of three core pillars: education, health and wellness, and entrepreneurship. We believe these pillars working in unison can provide the essential tools and infrastructure needed to improve lives and ultimately deliver sustainability for generations to come.

Donate Now