Of the four teams Kenya Keys planned to send to Kenya in 2021, only one managed to hit the mid-summer Covid lull. Easton Allred, track star and author, joined Spencer Sorenson, lacrosse player and psychology major, both BYU student-athletes whose families sponsor students.

They landed in Kenya with bags full of supplies for students and staff and surprised Samuel Kazungu, Brian Kokie, and James Juma, whom they sponsor at the University of Eldoret, with laptops.

Easton and Spencer met with principals, interviewed students one-on-one, talked shop with the Taru Boys’ Journalism Club, and listened as local youth discussed the despair of being forced out of school at a young age. 

These dynamic and outgoing young men were a hit wherever they went. They attended the Special Olympics at Ndohivyo Special Needs School, and spoke to high school students about goal setting and overcoming challenges.

Kenya Keys U.S. Executive Director, Mark Friess, joined the dynamic duo for the race in Taru. The team gave the high school Journalism Club a crash course on their equipment and put the boys in charge of webcasting the race live on Kenya Keys’ Instagram.

Mark also spoke with the Save Our Brothers club at Taru Boys High School about overcoming challenges, excelling in school, avoiding premarital sexual relationships, and other topics the boys find empowering.

It was a full week for our director! Besides the ribbon-cutting pictured above, Mark:

• broke ground for an eLearning center at Taru Boys High School

• reviewed a 5-year plan draft with the Kenya Board

• visited the Community Library Kenya Keys established

• toured a new vocational college

• digitally mapped the Kenya Keys headquarters property with an eye toward creating a community center and on-site library and eLearning center