A Birthday Run for Betty: Giving the Gift of Education
Hello, my online family and friends. On Thursday, the 27th, I will be celebrating my 51st birthday, a special birthday dedicated to uplifting someone.
I will not be cutting cakes, nor will I be dancing to good birthday songs, but I will be on the road, with sports shoes on, running for a purpose, running to change someone's life.
Friends, we have a needy student, a bright and hardworking girl, hailing from the hilly terrains of Kapcheketeret village, Nyaru, Elgeiyo Marakwet County.
Isaiah Kosgei, during one of his solo marathons to raise funds for education.
Betty completed her primary school and performed well, scoring 298 out of a total of 500 marks. Born and raised in a low-income family, where her elder sister had dropped out of form two due to a lack of fees and basic needs, Betty, with a passion for education and a thirst for knowledge, knew very well that her chances of joining secondary school were slim.
Looking at the situation at home, she saw no light at the end of the tunnel; she resorted to brewing local liquor to raise funds for her school fees. She raised some funds that enabled her to join a local secondary school. During holidays, this was her work, brewing more liquor for school fees, an illegal exercise that saw her struggle for the two years, Form 1 and 2.
Illicit alcohol brewing is illegal in Kenya, and children under the age of 18 are prohibited 🚭 from drinking, selling, or even visiting liquor stores; Betty risked it all. The local administration, under the firm instructions from the Ministry of Interior, ensured that no such activities were going on in their jurisdictions. This was a blow to Betty, who was forced to drop out in Form Two.
With the burning desire in her heart and passion for education, Betty didn't stop. In January 2025, she moved to Iten town, where she started working as a House girl.
In September 2025, Betty, having saved some amount, went by herself to look for a school, and she was admitted to Kapchepelel Secondary School, joining Form three 3rd term. Surprisingly, her end-of-year results were fabulous; she scored an overall grade of C.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is why my birthday celebration will be special, dedicated to Betty. My running will be to raise funds for her studies, for the Kosgei Walpole Foundation. We aim to see Betty complete her studies well, and she will be repeating Form Three. We want to enroll Betty in a boarding school and support her through Form 4.
I'm appealing to you, my friends and supporters, let's join hands together and give Betty hope, hope for a better tomorrow.
We can make it happen!
I will, therefore, be running a half-marathon on my birthday on the 27th, as well as a 10km Iten run in December to raise funds for her.
Let's come together, whatever little you donate will ensure Betty goes back to class with full concentration.
My love for education drives me to this end, doing whatever we can to assist someone, myself, having joined Secondary School at the age of 37, I am a believer that education changes lives, that education is an equalizer, that education opens doors that seem impossible.
To donate, kindly click on the link below
https://kosgeiwalpole.org/donate
For M-Pesa, the amount can be sent to +254724928852
Together, we can make a difference.:
Give the Gift of Education This Christmas: Support the Kosgei Walpole Foundation!
The Kosgei Walpole Foundation is dedicated to transforming lives by funding the secondary education of less fortunate students, paving the way for a brighter future. This charity work is driven by the inspiration and tireless dedication of the Foundation's Director, Isaiah Kosgei https://kosgeiwalpole.org/isaiah, who has personally been running marathons to raises funds.
In Kenya, a significant number of families continue to live below the poverty line, compounded by high unemployment rates. This economic reality means that many parents simply cannot raise the funds needed for school fees, uniforms, or even basic learning materials.
Furthermore, regions like the banditry-prone areas of Baringo, Turkana, and West Pokot face profound challenges, having been left behind in development. Here, educational infrastructure is severely lacking, and in some other regions, children still learn under trees, exposed to the scorching sun.
This Christmas season, we're launching a special Social Empowerment Initiative to raise funds and ensure more students can access the education they deserve and learn in suitable environments.
Our Three Pillars of Empowerment
The Kosgei Walpole Foundation operates on three core pillars:
Education: Providing scholarships and funding to bright but needy students.
Nurturing Talent: Identifying talented students and sponsoring their school fees to ensure their potential is realized.
Environmental Conservation: Instilling a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment.
Your Gift, Their Future: Choose a Package Today!
Every donation, big or small, contributes directly to keeping a student in school and empowering them through education. Select the package that resonates with you. It's a perfect way to share the holiday spirit!
Gift Package
Donation Amount
Impact on One Student
Package 1: $15 funds a year of study materials (books, notebooks, pens).
Package 2: $35 funds the entire year's school uniform.
Package 3: $80 funds a year of essential school meals.
Package 4: $130 funds a year of school fees (supporting a bright, needy, or talented student).
Imagine the difference you can make:
$15 equips a student with the tools they need to learn every day.
$35 gives a student a uniform, fostering a sense of belonging and pride.
$80 ensures a student has nutritious meals, helping them focus and thrive in class.
$130 pays for the school fees, keeping a student enrolled and on track to achieve their dreams.
Beyond providing educational and financial support, the Kosgei Walpole Foundation also assists in building additional school structures on a need basis. This ensures that children, particularly those in underserved areas like Baringo, Turkana, and West Pokot, can move from learning under trees to safe, stable classrooms.
The Foundation believes education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and addressing regional inequalities. We believe that your contribution during this Christmas campaign will not only give hope or opportunity, but also a bright future to a deserving young person whose academic brilliance or special talent might otherwise go untapped.
We want to assure our generous donors that the Kosgei Walpole Foundation is committed to full transparency and ensuring your support goes directly to funding the charity work, including student scholarships, materials, meals, and infrastructural development. The Foundation is managed entirely by dedicated volunteers. This ensures administrative costs are minimized, maximizing the impact of every dollar you contribute. We guarantee transparency in our operations and are committed to showing you how your generosity is transforming lives.
Our Goal: To raise as much funding as possible to support students for the upcoming school year and improve learning environments.
Ready to make an impact?
You can choose your desired gift package and click the following link to donate.
Let's make this Christmas a season of empowerment and educational opportunity for the less fortunate.
Click here to donate and change lives! https://kosgeiwalpole.org/donate
Running Beyond Limits: Isaiah Kosgei's Mission for Education
In a world often focused on individual achievement, some stories shine brightly by putting others first. Isaiah Kosgei's journey is one such beacon of hope and generosity, proving that it's never too late to pursue your dreams and, more importantly, to help others achieve theirs.
Isaiah's path was far from conventional. Joining secondary school at the age of 35, he understood firsthand the profound impact of delayed opportunities and limited access to education. This personal experience ignited a powerful resolve within him: to ensure that other less fortunate children, facing similar hurdles, would not be denied the chance to learn and thrive.
By 2024, Isaiah had already made a significant difference, personally sponsoring 28 deserving students across various secondary schools, opening doors to education that might otherwise have remained closed. But his ambition didn't stop there.
In that same year, driven by a deep connection to his roots and a desire to uplift his former school, Kosgei embarked on another challenging marathon. His goal this time was specific and impactful: to raise funds for the construction of a twin laboratory at St. Paul's Makongi, the very Day Secondary School where he once studied. This initiative promises to provide crucial resources for scientific learning, empowering a new generation of students with the practical skills needed for a brighter future.
Isaiah Kosgei's story is a powerful reminder that compassion, resilience, and a giving spirit can overcome any obstacle. His miles are not just personal feats; they are a direct investment in the lives of countless children, demonstrating that through dedicated effort and a big heart, one person can truly change the world, one child, and one laboratory, at a time.
Reflecting on a Mission of Hope: Kosgei Walpole Foundation's Back-to-School Initiative for Flood-Affected Children
Looking back, May 10th, 2024, marks a significant moment in the journey of the Kosgei Walpole Foundation. Driven by a profound commitment to its mission, the Foundation embarked on a crucial "Back to School" initiative, specifically targeting a vulnerable group of 34 children whose access to education had been severely disrupted by devastating floods. Sadly, these floods had swept away their essential learning materials, creating a significant barrier to their continued schooling.
Isaiah Kosgei with school-going children affected by floods
In a remarkable display of collective action, the Kosgei Walpole Foundation, through the invaluable support of its dedicated friends and strategic partners, successfully rallied resources to provide comprehensive assistance. The Foundation was able to donate the entirety of the necessary stationery required by each of these 34 children, ensuring they could return to their studies equipped for success.
Guided by its powerful motto, "Running for a Purpose," the Kosgei Walpole Foundation operates with the core belief that all children in need deserve equal access to education. This fundamental principle is passionately championed through the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of Isaiah Kosgei. Mr. Kosgei's participation in numerous marathons serves as a unique and impactful fundraising mechanism, directly channeling his athletic achievements towards supporting educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.
Continuing his commitment to this vital cause, just two days later, on May 12th, 2024, Isaiah Kosgei participated in a challenging 15km road race organized by Betika Betting company in Iten, Elgeiyo Marakwet County, Kenya. This dedicated participation was specifically undertaken to further raise essential funds for the children impacted by the floods, demonstrating the direct link between athletic endeavor and philanthropic impact.
The Kosgei Walpole Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to the incredible network of friends and partners whose generous support was instrumental in the success of this initiative. Heartfelt thanks are due to Madam Caro, Up Town Cafe Iten, Coach Philemon Kipchilat, Coach Kosgei Bitok, Mali Mali Shop, KIPKATA MINI MART ITEN, Owino Kamau Geoffrey, Boroon Betty, and Shadrack Kemboi. Their contributions, both large and small, played a crucial role in bringing hope and educational resources to these deserving children.
The resounding call that propelled this mission forward, "Together we can make a big difference," encapsulates the spirit of collaboration and collective responsibility that lies at the heart of the Kosgei Walpole Foundation's work. This initiative serves as a powerful reminder of the tangible impact that can be achieved when individuals and organizations unite with a shared purpose to empower the lives of vulnerable children through education.