Make Your Mark: Father Kombo Peshu

After returning to his village in Kenya and seeing the lack of proper education, Father Kombo knew he had to take action.

The Person: Father Kombo Peshu
The Cause: Mughamba Scholarship Foundation

Bellwood, IL -- Father Kombo Peshu came to the United States from the poor village of Mwanda, Kenya, ten years ago when missionary Father Richard Quinn gave him the chance to further his education. Father Kombo was given a full scholarship to study for a master’s of divinity degree and a licentiate in sacred theology.

When Father Kombo returned to Kenya for a visit four years later, he realized how lucky he was to have received his education in the United States. Over the four years he had been away, conditions in Mwanda had worsened, and he was struck by how many children were struggling to receive proper education.

In Kenya, children must pay for high school and college. Since many of them are orphaned because of the effects of AIDS, there are a large number of smart students who cannot afford to continue their education.

Father Kombo knew that he had to give back to his people after witnessing such hardships. First, he began to give money out of his own pocket, but he soon realized he had to do more. He went back to his parishioners in the United States and asked for donations, and was finally able to raise enough to start the Mughamba Scholarship Foundation, a fund for children in his village of Mwanda who cannot afford school. His parishioners were so moved by his emotional sermons about these children that some of them not only gave money but also traveled with Father Kombo back to Mwanda to see firsthand what daily life is like for these children.

Father Kombo continues to work hard to raise money for his village and currently has 40 students on scholarships for high school and 5 at universities in Kenya. In addition to continuing to raise money for his scholarship fund through his parishioners and by selling traditional Kenyan items, he is also working to raise money to get more running water in his village.

If you would like to help these students continue their education by making a donation, please visit http://mwandachildren.com.
-- Submitted by Barbara Moch

 

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