Have you ever spent months, or even years, preparing for something life-changing to happen? Maybe it was the birth of a child or owning your first home. Maybe it was graduating college or your wedding day. You spent the time leading up to the event in full anticipation, readying the nursery, signing documents, filling out place cards for guests, signing documents, or studying endlessly. You saw an end in sight and you charged ahead to that magic moment when you held your child for the first time, opened the front door to your dream home, or received that long-awaited diploma. You were giddy! Relieved! Ready to celebrate!
Canopy Life had one of those moments when the Academy officially opened its doors on January 17. We are so excited about the 10 kids who are now together under one roof, living and growing and learning together alongside their teachers and Canopy Life staff. It is a heartwarming feeling to see a once empty place filled with laughter and mischief. We are filled with gratitude for the parts you have played in this life-changing event.
The funny thing about life-changing events is that even in the midst of celebration, there is still more work to be done. Babies come home and need their diapers changed. After graduation, comes the job search. A new home means boxes to unpack and curtains to be hung. The same can be said about the opening of a school.
Let us tell you about our goals for February. In Kenya, our staff is focused on helping the children acclimate to their new surroundings, assessing the students’ education status, ramping the kids up on their English, and finding the best vendors to provide food and necessities to keep the home running. On the US side, our focus is filling child sponsorships and sharing the Canopy Life story and vision in one-on-one and small group settings.
As we embark on the second phase of this journey, we hope you will continue walking with us. Here are some ways you can celebrate and share the launch of Canopy Life Academy:
- Sponsor a child. At the heart of Canopy Life Academy, is a desire to connect the future leaders of Kenya with a global community. We are thrilled to see the impact that invested relationships with those in developed countries will have on our students.
- Volunteer. In an effort to dedicate as much of our funding as possible to the students of the Academy, we are always looking for volunteers to help with special events and administrative needs. If you would like to get hands-on with what Canopy Life is doing, please email Christi at christi@canopylife.org.
- Tell a friend. We love sharing the story of Canopy Life Academy. Christi is currently scheduling coffee dates and times with those already invested and interested in learning more about Canopy Life. If you have someone you think she should meet, or just want to hear more yourself, she would love to sit down and chat.
- Go visit. We are currently planning trips for this summer. Kenyan schools run during the summer months, and we are excited for our teams to see the school operating, meet the kids and staff, and help with projects to serve our young students. If you’re interested in visiting but these dates don’t work for you, just let us know! (info@canopylife.org).
Thank you for being a part of making the dream for Canopy Life Academy a reality. We can’t wait to see a generation of young Kenyans rise up to dream with their Creator and become leaders who change their local and global communities.
