Make a donation to Walkathon 2009 by sponsoring one of our Walkers. Please select one of the icons below in the amount you'd like donate. Please remember to submit your Walkers name when you are prompted during the transaction. Each donor of $15 or more will receive a BEADS Break the Chains of Illiteracy Keychain made by the Maasai Mamas.

You can also make a donation with a check and mail it to:
BEADS for Education
5501 Ventnor Avenue
Ventnor, New Jersey 08406

BEADS Sponsored 8th Grade Girls Graduate from Top Ride Academy

Sponsored girls from left to right:
Front Row: Peyion Rose Sukumer, Daphne Seela, Judith Soils, Ivy Simoi, Rachael Siana Katajapa, Joyce Parsere, Zainabu Ali, Yiankine Julia Partapipi.
Second Row: Alice Njoki, Mary Muturi, Evelyne Wangui, Joan Wanja, Catherine Nepeita.
Back row: Cecilia Wairimu, Florence Nasoore (BEADS sponsored University Student and 8^th grade girls' mentor), Christine Pasha, Femah Naserian, Wanjiku Winnie Kuyanka, Lillian Sakaya, Jerusha Awino, Nelly Kaose, Amina Mohamed, Cynthia Ketuta, Leah Segel, Daisy Toron Meibuko, Charity Narasha.

Most of these girls are the first in their family to complete elementary school. They are amazed they will have the opportunity to attend high school and college.

BEADS Sponsored Moi Girls School High School Graduates

Left to right Elizabeth Njoki, Betty Tonkei, Eunice Nyagichumi Njoki (Elizabeth's twin), and Zawadi Chacha.

These sponsored girls are classmates at Moi Girls School in Isinya, Kenya. Moi Girls School is one of the best high schools in our region and is a Provincial School.
In November 2007, they will graduate and join the 100 KM WALKATHON. After the WALKATHON the girls will volunteer as teachers for one year in the public schools. Often our BEADS teaching interns are the only teachers in their classrooms.

Make a donation to the Walkathon by sponsoring one of our Walkers. Please select one of the icons below in the amount you'd like donate. Please remember to submit your Walkers name when you are prompted during the transaction.


Irene Rodgers is a retired high school biology teacher from Newtown, Pa. She continues to teach dance and beading to all ages. She hopes to learn traditional Maasai dance and then teach the girls some American dance techniques. A collaborative piece to be performed for the BEADS walkers would be an experience of a lifetime, as will the chance to meet her sponsored girl, Tirente.	Kathleen McIntire, originally from Texas and a graduate of Southwest Texas State University, is a teacher in England for a NATO School. She will share her expertise by teaching the girls the joys of reading. She will begin with a tour of the BEADS donated library at Top Ride Academy. This is the first lending library in our region and contains more than 5500 volumes.

Florence Maina has completed her BEADS teaching internship at Enkong Narok Public School in Amboseli National Park and is now enrolled in college studying to become a social worker. Florence is kind, compassionate and loves children.	Debby Rooney (second from left), BEADS co-founder receiving presents from sponsored girls' parents in Namelok, Kenya.

Silvia Yiaposo (class 8 ā€“ Amboseli National Park Region) "I can't wait to meet my sponsor, Bonnie Rumsey, on the WALKATHON and bring her to my home. She will meet my father, his 3 wives and all the children. We look forward to welcoming her into our cow dung house which is surrounded with thorn bush to keep the wild animals away. I will show her where we collect the firewood and the water from the river. THIS will be the happiest day of my life."	Bonnie Rumsey from White Stone, VA is the proud sponsor of Silvia Yiapasa. She feels very fortunate to share the WALKATHON with her sponsored girl. Bonnie is a world traveler and believes that travel opens the eyes to seeing the world differently. Her love of oral histories will be invaluable in her volunteer position during the WALKATHON– teaching the girls to record their stories in their journals. THESE are the girls FIRST journals!

Carmen Myers "I love volunteer work, travel and photography. While I make my photo documentary of the trip I will also teach photography to the sponsored girls. .Photographing a traditional Coming of Age Ceremony without the cutting will be an extraordinary opportunity. This will be the 8^th Ceremony BEADS has hosted in support of girls and their families that do not want FGM."	Pat O’Hara from Philadelphia PA works for Motorola as a Technical Trainer. She will have the unique experience to share this walk with her sister Irene. Pat will also walk with her sponsored girl Zawadi Chacha - one of the high school graduates from Moi Girls school. Pat’s volunteer job is to mentor the high school graduates. For girls who are the first in their family to finish elementary school, a mentor to help select a college career is invaluable. BEADS presently has 8 girls in college and 16 more ready to enroll.

Phyllis Horne is the founder and CEO of Horne Creative Group, Inc. Her multifaceted experiences as a writer, marketing and advertising manager and song writer will amaze the sponsored girls. Her sponsored girl, Betty (Moi Girls) will walk with her. "I am sure Betty will be fascinated to learn all the things a woman can do!" Phyllis will be a great mentor.	Florence Nasoore was saved from a forced marriage in 1998 with her BEADS sponsorship. Florence is a BEADS intern and has qualified for the University of Nairobi, an accomplishment unheard of in her community. Florence walked in 2006 and 2007 and now helps BEADS with younger girls. A GREAT role model!

Carol Welsh is one of Long & Foster, Realtors top realtors in the country. She has sponsored Wanjiku (pictured with the Top Ride 8^th grade girls) since 2005. Wanjiku said, “Before I knew that Carol was coming I thought walking the WALKATHON would be the best experience of my life AND NOW I think it will be the double best!”	Barb Mizenko, "I am fulfilling a longtime dream of visiting Africa by joining this walk. I'm very excited to meet my sponsored girl , her family and the Maasai community. I have been working as labor and delivery nurse for almost 27 years at Capital Health Systems – Mercer Campus. I love the interaction with the mothers and their babies and plan to work with the 8^th grade girls and their mothers in Kenya. I am especially looking forward to participating in the BEADS sponsored HIV/AIDS community training meetings."

Kimberly Welsh Kim is an attorney with the Reinsurance Association of America, a trade association in Washington, D.C. She is excited to walk with Elizabeth Njoki, a young woman she sponsors, and all of the other walkers, including Kim's own role model, her mother Carol. Kim believes strongly in empowering girls and young women through education. By sponsoring Elizabeth Njoki, participating in the workshops, and raising money for Beads through the walkathon, Kim hopes to support an organization she believes will have a positive impact on these young women and their communities.	Linda Sullivan says: "I was a travel consultant for 20 years, and although I left the industry in 2001, one of my passions is and always will be travel. I am excited to be a participant in the 2008 Walkathon and thrilled to not only have the opportunity to "experience" Kenya in a very unique way, but to finally meet and spend time with my sponsored girl, Purity Shanka, who now, attends college.'

Purity Shanka (left), BEADS Co-founder Debby Rooney (center) and Margaret Kikiyaya. Purity and Margaret graduated from high school in January 2006. They worked as teaching interns at Enkog Narok Public School in Amboseli National Park and are now enrolled in college!	Patrick Papatiti (on right) is revered in the community as leader of the warriors. This is a position he will hold for life. Papatiti is a Trainer of AIDS Trainers and a staunch supporter of women's rights. At 25 he returned to 9th grade through a BEADS sponsorship. This year, he will graduate form high school and begin volunteering for BEADS in Amboseli National Park for one year before college.
Lisa (l) and Joy in Joy's classroom in Kajiado Kenya.
Lisa Stevens, BEADS Co-founder, Assistant Curator of Mammals at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and Joy's sponsor (see right). Joy was in 4th grade when she started her sponsorship with Lisa. Now Joy is in the 9th grade!	Lisa with Tai Shan the panda cub born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo July 9, 2005. "I am really looking forward to visiting my sponsored girl and my first Beads Walkathon."

Loise Ledaiki (8^th grade, Amboseli National Park Region) Loise and her 4 siblings are orphans. She works VERY hard in school as she says, "...to honor my family, community and especially my sponsor. I have heard about the WALKATHON from the other girls and can't wait. I am so amazed that so many warriors, fathers, mothers and sponsors care so much about girl child education. Thank you everyone!"	Jedidah Melompuki, "My father works hard but still can't earn enough to send me to high school and college. This year I will graduate from high school with the second class of BEADS graduates from Amboseli National Park Region. I look forward to working as an intern for BEADS and to help the local community by teaching in the public school. AND THEN to be able to enter college through BEADS! THANKS to BEADS and my sponsor for the amazing gift."

Winnie Chebet (8th grade, Amboseli National Park Region) Although 80% of the BEADS sponsored girls are Maasai there are 42 tribes in Kenya and approximately 12 are represented in the BEADS sponsorship. Winnie is Kalenjin. During the WALKATHON we will participate in a traditional Maasai Coming of Age Ceremony and be introduced to the dances and customs of the other girls' tribes.	Esther (center) with her mother, Kinina (left), and father on the day she received her BEADS sponsorship. Esther's father has four wives and 26 children. Esther is one of over 295 girls whose education is sponsored by BEADS. Esther was sponsored in 2003 and is now in 8^th grade. In 2005, at 12 years old, it was time for Esther's Coming of Age Ceremony. Her mother the midwife and circumciser, celebrated this ceremony for Esther and the daughters of her three co-wives August 20, 2005- the full moon. With the support of her husband, co-wives, community elders and leaders, her family ceremony was *traditional but did not include the cutting.*

Jim Whitehurst says - "I'm the retired, grey haired guy in the middle. This is our family. I have dreamed of going to Africa all my life. Now I get to make that dream come true by making this journey with my daughter, Carmen Myers. Family is important to me. The future is important to me. This walk to help others is important to me. I want to do my part to help educate others and in return this world will be a better place for my grand children and all children."	Carrie Salafia says - "I work with families and help families and children grow. I sponsor Nancy Wangari who is in 6th grade at Top Ride Academy. I can't wait to meet her and her family and hope that my daughter and Nancy will have years of letters and interchange and grow up across the oceans but linking their worlds together."
Naleku Parmut (not pictured) will graduate from 8^th grade (Amboseli National Park Region) and join high school in 2008.. Her father has two wives and sixteen children. As she says, "...seven boys and many girls." She says, "I know I am happy to have a sponsor and be a very lucky girl and go to school" She loves school.	Elizabeth Kilena ( not pictured - 8^th grade from Amboseli National Park) Sponsored since 2006 her application said, "In my family we are 18 members and many of the children do not go to school because there is not enough money for buying clothes, shoes and for food for the family. If I get a sponsor I will be thankful and be happy as a king." In 2008 she will begin high school thanks to her BEADS sponsor.

Karat, Rukia and James (left to right) Karat is our WALKATHON CAPTAIN 2007. Karat is also a dedicated HIV/AIDS trainer. Rukia Kadidi completed college through her BEADS sponsorship and now works as our Kenya Program Manager, James Leposo is a BEADS HIV/AIDS trainer. He is highly respected in the community and was selected as one of the leaders of the 8000 WARRIORS – a position he will hold for life.	Mary Memusi completed high school through her BEADS sponsorship. In 2004 she interned as a volunteer teacher and AIDS trainer in Amboseli National Park. Mary enrolled in college in 2006 and is training in the tourism industry. Maybe we will be able to book our trips through Mary!

Grace Seleka sponsored since 2003 is among the second class of high school graduates from the Amboseli National Park Region. She is from a single parent family. She is a hard working and very motivated young girl.. Grace is an excellent role model for the rural girls of the Amboseli National Park Region who never dreamed of high school let alone college.	Alice Siantei sponsored since 2004 will graduate from high school this year. She lives in a mud hut with her mother and 4 sisters in the Amboseli Sponsorship Region. She never knew her father who passed away when she was very young. In 9^th grade Alice said, "In my future I would like to be a doctor and help our community, nation and even the whole world."
	<---Alexandra Heersink, University of Colorado Alum, student at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. Loves to read, write, sew and play sports. "Can't wait to meet all of the girls and share the walking experience with new people! My volunteer job during the WALKATHON is to teach Patrick Papatiti how to use his new donated computer and to begin writing his oral history.

Mercy Noonkiletti, sponsored since 1998, is now in her third year of nursing school (Nakuru Institute – Kenya). Mercy is an outstanding HIV/AIDS trainer and will work as our assistant nurse on the WALKATHON.	Philip (left) and David are both BEADS Trainers of AIDS Trainers. Photo was taken in April 2005 at Olgulilui Camp while they were working on their teaching presentations.

James, Karat, Joseph, William and Peter (left to right) These are some of the 8000 Maasai warriors in the district. They are all BEADS Trainers of AIDS Trainers displaying their handouts from the Kenyan AIDS clinic	Mama Esther is the one of the midwives/circumcisers in our Amboseli National Park Sponsorship Region. She delivered this baby girl (named Debby Rooney) as we discussed her daughter's coming of age ceremony. Her family ceremony WAS THE FIRST for BEADS sponsored girls WITHOUT the traditional circumcision! We have now hosted 7 ceremonies without the cutting. Please see Esther's story on the website. Mama Esther teaches the girls and warriors about the dangers of the traditional ceremony.

Teresia Semeyian lives with her grandmother (right) who is very proud of Teresia’s excellent work. Teresia graduated from high school and now works as a volunteer teacher for BEADS in teh Samburu region. She loves teaching and helping the community.	Peris Simaloi is a teaching volunteer at Isiinya Primary School. She and her mother will have the unique opportunity to walk the walk together this year. Mama Peris will be walking as the girls’ chaperone.

Lorna Lasoi (right) graduated from Noonkipir High School in 2006 and is proud to be a teaching intern at Isinya Primary School. With the present from her sponsors at Pingry High School, Lorna wants to photo document the WALKATHON.	Agnes Loiman is among our first high school graduates from the Amboseli Wildlife Sponsorship region. Loquacious and curious, Agnes wants to be a journalist. She will help all of the girls to write their WALKATHON journals.

Karat - WALKATHON 2007 Captain looks at the Kenya newspaper article about BEADS for Education At his request, the BEADS teaching interns are now helping him learn to read. He can often be seen sitting in a first grade reading class.	In the Amboseli National Park Region, the AIDS training meetings begin with a question: "How many people here have been trained by BEADS as a Trainer of AIDS Trainers?" Many of these trainers will WALK.

Nankinyi Sarijore is among our first high school graduates from the Amboseli Wildlife Sponsorship Region. She was surprised to learn that the women from the USA are able to pursue any profession they desire. She looks forward to asking the American Women many questions about their careers.	Purity Kaparo (on the right with Debby Rooney) is a graduate from IlBissil Girls School. She is very excited to attend the COMING of AGE CEREMONY without the traditional cutting that will take place in January in Amboseli National Park. This will be the 8^th “new” ceremony that BEADS has hosted.