My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been involved with Kenya Self-Help Project nearly since its inception. As a seasoned donor to a wide variety of charities, I consider KSHP to be one of the best. I base this on several things. First, administrative costs are kept to a bare minimum. The vast majority of donated funds actually make it to the targeted recipients. Second, the personal involvement of KSHP's founders means this non-profit has stayed true to its mission. Third, communication with donors is superb, both with personal information on each student being supplied to sponsors on a regular/frequent basis and with direct communication between sponsor and student when desired. Fourth, the administrative work is difficult and sometimes involves making hard calls about a student's ultimate fit with the program, but I have never seen the staff take the easy way out. They make the tough calls and keep moving forward with students who work hard to stay in the program. On a personal note, the first student I sponsored was not able to dedicate himself to the level necessary to succeed and was released from the program. While this was disappointing, it was the right call. On the other hand, the second student I sponsored just completed her fifth and final year of medical school and has earned her white coat. I am incredibly happy and proud that she has achieved this goal (see photo). My third student will soon be sitting for her final exams in hopes of earning a university scholarship. KSHP has given me the opportunity to influence the direction of these young lives, and for that I am grateful.