Every website has a story, and here is ours. My Story: Beneath the Ashes, a Spark I still remember my, and my siblings, time in elementary school in Mitahato village, Kenya. The peeling paint on the walls, the broken desks, windows without panes, and classrooms full of children in somber mood and too tired or hungry to focus. I left home to go to school without breakfast, my uniform worn thin, my school supplies in meager supply or nonexistent altogether. My eyes held a quiet determination, but my struggles were undeniable. Despite this, I went to school – eager to learn, hopeful for something better. I did my best and excelled in class – not ignoring the challenges at school and poverty at home. I was among children with enormous potential that was falling behind, not because I lacked intelligence or drive, but because I lacked resources. Many children in my neighborhood lacked education opportunities because of poverty. Nonetheless, my parents tried all they could to see my siblings and I through school. We are now able to live a much better life than we grew up in. In the year 2000, when I was in the most testing time of my life, something unusual happened. A flashback of challenges I faced in elementary school, and the struggle my parents were going through to pay school fees and put food on the table, came to mind. I thought of many children in my village who were not going to school. I was saddened by this. As days turned into months, I struggled with the idea of how I could help. I could not stand by and watch the light of these young minds dimmed by circumstances beyond their control. I felt a great urge to do something to help at least one child. And so, I started helping one of the children in my village, and then two, and then the list continued to grow. I wanted to make a difference, although I did not have enough to take care of myself, let alone help others. I did not have a reliable income at that time. The desire to help grew; the dream of starting an organization geared towards helping underprivileged children was lit. (I confided with my sister that one day I will establish a home for poor children or a pediatric center). It took twenty-four years for my dream to go a full cycle – Dodiske was born! And although I am yet to establish a home for underprivileged children, the seed that was planted two decades ago has sprouted and bloomed into a beautiful flower that is giving underprivileged children the sweet aroma of renewed hope for a brighter future. One Small Step, A World of Difference It started with a simple step—giving a pencil and a writing pad to a needy child, tutoring another, and encouraging another who was not interested in going to school. Then came a handful of volunteers, a few old books, and an unwavering belief that every child deserves a chance. Then, small donations came, someone gave a stack of new notebooks, another provided a box of pencils, a generous donor gave a scholarship to one of the children. Each small act of kindness built upon the last, transforming lives in ways I (now a Catholic priest) had only dreamed of. What began as ‘giving help to one child’ has grown to become an organization. The Power of Your Support Today More children are desperate for support. Parents are hopeful that their kids will escape the cycle of poverty that has gripped their families for generations. Dodiske provides such children with scholarships, mentorship programs, school supplies, and technology. Most importantly, we encourage children to learn, to dare, to dream without limits. We give them a chance for quality education – to start their journey into a future they never thought possible. Kids who once struggled to read are now excelling. Students who thought college was out of reach are now hopeful. Dreams that once seemed impossible are now within grasp. But there are still more children waiting. More classrooms in need. The future of many children hangs in balance. Be a Part of the Story More than just our story, it is the story of tens of children who now have hope and a chance at a brighter future – because beneath the ashes, a spark was kindled into a large, blazing fire. Together we can pass the flame: we can inspire and empower. I invite you to be part of the story. Support us! Donate to Dodiske! Be assured that your support is more than a donation – it is a lifeline. It is a book in a child’s hands, a mentor’s encouragement, a path forward where there was none before. It is hope. Will you be part of this story? Will you help us rekindle the spark of an underprivileged child? Donate today. Give children hope. Change a life!