AYS in Africa

In 5 short days the Andover Youth Services will go global.

AYS Director Bill Fahey and Assistant Director Glenn Wilson, along with Bill's son, Colton, are heading to the Margaret Okari Children's School in Kisii, Kenya to take part in the Walden Youth Leadership Summit, share & implement youth development programs, and assist with sustainable environmental projects.

The Margaret Okari Children's School has an amazing mission to "build the physical, spiritual and educational foundation of the children of the Kisii region in Kenya, whose parents have died of AIDS." There are 88 orphaned children who currently board at the school and another 650 trying to get in. The school keeps the children safe, educates them, and gives them the tools to flourish the rest of their lives.

The connection to the Margaret Okari Children's Foundation begins with Andover resident, Peg Campbell. She was introduced to the cause by a co-worker and was inspired by the work of Kwamboka Okari, the woman responsible for the operation of the foundation. In the brief two years since Peg has been involved, she has implemented several initiatives including constructing new buildings at the school, creating sustainable business ventures for the local community, and developing new markets for the local craftsmen.

So, why is AYS going? It starts with Bill's son, Colton Fahey, who saw a TV program on local heroes and learned that one of the leading causes of death for young people in the world is a lack of clean water. Since trees and their roots are one way to help filter and clean the water, he took it upon himself to start a fundraiser at his school and raised $250 to buy trees for Kenya. That was the beginning of several events that have all rolled together to create this adventure.