Empowering futures, one student at a time
Maggie Kearns
FOUNDATION FOR KIBERA
Maggie Kearns starting school at University of Illinois - 2016
Inspriration for the Foundation
Maggie Okoth starting highschool in Kibera - 2025
First child sponsored from Kibera
Two girls from opposite sides of the world.
About
We are the Maggie Kearns Foundation for Kibera
In June 2025, Ann traveled to Kibera, Kenya, on an educational mission trip, where she volunteered at a local elementary school. Kibera, the largest slum in Africa, is one of the most challenging places in the world for children to grow up. Access to clean water and sanitation is extremely limited, unemployment hovers around 50%, food insecurity is widespread, and nearly 19% of children do not live to see their fifth birthday. Life expectancy is approximately 30 years.
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While witnessing these harsh realities, Ann began to ask what role she could play in supporting the people of Kibera. After returning to the United States, she formed a meaningful partnership with Monica, the elementary school’s principal. Together, they began creating opportunities for students to attend high school through sponsorship.
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These sponsorships provide more than just access to education—they ensure students receive daily meals, stability, and the chance to build a better future. For many children in Kibera, the opportunity to attend high school is life-changing. It offers security, restores hope, and reinforces the value of education, opening doors for both the students and their families.
Ann Kearns and Monica Akinyi
at a home visit in Kibera
TRANSFORMING LIVES
30
STUDENTS SPONSORED
10,800+
Meals Provided
< 1
YEAR OF IMPACT
OUR COMMITMENT
The Maggie Kearns Foundation for Kibera is dedicated to providing high school sponsorships for students in Kibera, Kenya, and surrounding areas. Our mission is to identify students with strong potential and significant financial need, and connect them with sponsors who are committed to supporting their education.
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We foster ongoing communication between sponsors and students across continents, allowing both to experience the meaningful, life-changing impact of this partnership.
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Access to high school education is transformative. It provides stability, restores hope, and creates new opportunities for children growing up in one of the most challenging environments in the world.
Maria
“My heart told me that for a relatively small donation I can help change the trajectory of a child's future."
Peggy
"It is a plus to donate to an organization that we can trust the leadership to make good and honest decisions."
Lisa
“With the world in such a crazy state, it is refreshing to be able to make a significant difference for one child on the other side of the world."