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.: