May Update: Nakuona - I see you

I’ve now ridden over 2,500 miles and, together, we’ve raised more than $12,000.

The goal is 7,300 miles - but the real mission is bigger:

$73,000 to send 73 children to high school.

This photo is from a classroom visit in Kibera that I’ll never forget. I spent about 30 minutes with these students. We handed out paper and crayons, traced each child’s hands, and asked them to write what they love.

Most wrote things you’d expect:

“I love God.”

“I love my mom.”

“I love my teacher.”

 And then one boy wrote something I wasn’t prepared for:

“I love Fran.”

We had just met.

It stopped me in my tracks. How could someone I’d known for only 30 minutes feel that?

What I realized is this:

It’s not about me. It’s about being seen.

In Swahili, there’s a phrase: “Nakuona” - I see you.

When these students feel seen and loved, something powerful unlocks. Despite the challenges they face every day, their resilience is incredible. And education is the key that turns that resilience into opportunity.

We have a chance to tell these students:

Nakuona. I see you. You matter. 

If you’ve been following along, thank you. If you’ve already given, truly - thank you.

If you’re able to help, please consider contributing. Every dollar brings us closer to sending another child to high school.

Let’s show them they are seen.

With gratitude,
Fran