Giving Back: Kayli Stollak of R.E.A.D.
CAUSE: After a trip to Africa with her family led her to an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, 25-year-old Kayli Stollak returned home to New York and made it her mission to empower children through education. She founded Resources for Education Advancement and Development, Inc. (R.E.A.D.) to provide textbooks, school supplies, and college scholarships to orphaned children in Kenya.
EFFECT: She's donated books to about 600 children and currently sponsors the college education of seven students.
GET INVOLVED: Make a donation to R.E.A.D., or raise money to go on a trip to Kenya with Kayli.
1/6This philanthropist is providing textbooks and scholarships to orphaned schoolchildren in Kenya.
Photo of Kayli in Kenya2/6"The first time I went to Kenya was in 2009 with my family on a safari. My family is all women, and we were in a vehicle for a of hours together. We were supposed to go down to South Africa, and I decided on a whim to volunteer at an orphanage in Nairobi instead. I went to a home in a slum in Nairobi, and the kids told me that their biggest need was for books and education. I came back after that experience and decided to start asking people that I know for donations to buy books."
Photo of Kayli in Kenya3/6"R.E.A.D. started by supporting one orphanage that has about 300 children. The problem with the orphanages is that most of them don't have certified teachers, but these kids have more ambition and drive than anyone you've ever met. If you give them the textbooks, they will study and do better. I bought all the textbooks for that one orphanage, and now, we have three children's homes for which we buy textbooks and school supplies. I get a list from the headmaster of what books are needed, and I buy and deliver them myself. I only purchase textbooks that are relevant to the Kenyan syllabus. I also sponsor seven students to attend university. The scholarships pay for food and all of their costs, not just their tuition."
Photo of Kayli in Kenya4/6"I visit Kenya twice a year, and I noticed that the boys were doing much better in school than the girls. The girls in Kenya are second-class citizens; they're expected to just get married and have children. There's an organization called LitWorld that has reading clubs to empower girls and give them the confidence to speak up in the classrooms. The organization trained me, and I trained others to implement the program in the orphanages. The difference is amazing! The girls are now out-performing boys and their writing and reading skills have gotten so much better. Our first sponsored girl is starting at university in September. It's like a Disney movie!"
Photo of Kayli in Kenya5/6"You have to do your research when getting involved in international service. Look for organizations online and ask for a breakdown of where the money is going. The money that comes into READ goes directly out to help the orphanages, with the exception of covering my flights to Kenya. It's about accountability—I take responsibility for the decisions that I make and stay focused. Rather than starting a new school, I want to make the schools that are already in existence better. How can I help more kids with less money? Every year, I want to support a new school and at least one new college student."
Photo of Kayli in Kenya6/6"I've had discouraging moments, but I see now that I'm going in the right direction. I'm seeing the kids' grades improve, and getting more inspiration, drive, and gratitude from them. It's all about fundraising right now. The more money we raise, the more books we can buy, and the more kids that we can educate and help."
