WELCOME/KARIBU
Upendo is a Kiswahili word meaning love.
Love enables us to serve the needs of our communities in Africa and the diaspora.
About Us
Anna Mekombo Mwalagho: Co-Founder
As a performing artist and social activist, Ms. Mekombo has dedicated herself to uplift the lives of the marginalized and the economically underserved in our communities. Especially children, the youth, and women.
Jay Wind: Co-Founder
Jay Wind is the founder of Safety and Health foundation, a fantastic foundation that hosts multiple marathons in VA and DC to support the needs of different communities abroad and in the USA. He is also an avid marathon runner.
OUR HISTORY
Upendo Educational Foundation was created through a friendship formed by Anna Mwalagho and Jay Wind. Jay Wind, a busy 67-year-old longtime Arlington resident, marathon champion, race planner, and director, Anna Mwalagho, a renaissance woman and a performing artist from East Africa Kenya, a fantastic friendship of two unlikely pair. Their passion for nurturing cross-cultural exchange through music and marathon sport was the bridge that connected them. They are both very passion-driven, have a genuine concern for humanity, and strive for justice and peace in the world. Their common goals enabled them to create a partnership, therefore founding Upendo Educational foundation in October of 2016.
OUR MISSION
To engage, empower and enrich children, students, youth, and adults through educational support, socio-economic empowerment programs, and cultural awareness activities.
OUR VISION
To live in a world of equitable access to resources despite geographic or economic background. Therefore, enhancing peace, love, and unity in our world.
OUR PURPOSE
Promoting education & learning
· Creating and supporting sustainable development projects
· Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence through the arts, crafts, and languages
· Providing seminars, meetings, and tours for cultural education &awareness
· Bridging the gap of understanding, knowledge, and community between different continents.
Basilisa Muthoni Nestor is a beneficiary of our student tuition support. She is in 4th grade and is a bright, intelligent girl. But, unfortunately, many students like her still need our help.
OUR PROJECTS
At the moment, we are focused on projects in Kenya and the USA. A percentage of Ms. Mwalagho performance merchandise supports some of the projects. We also thank our donors for their support that sustains our organization.
How do we support our Communities?
-Assisting in financial educational expenses for students of low-income households: Tuition, activity fees, school uniforms, school supplies, lunch boxes and meal provisions.
-Summer Cultural and educational awareness programs in the USA: We offer grants and scholarships for low-income students interested in taking Swahili immersion classes.
- Women sustainable development projects: Basket weaving, pottery, African jewelry making, and day lab
We Need Your Support.
- We need your financial support to continue elevating our communities that are in dire need of our assistance. There is no small donation. Any amount is highly appreciated. Please make your check donation payable to Upendo Educational foundation or via PayPal by clicking on the DONATE BUTTON above.
This is a picture of Sivan and her mother. Sivan's mother is a day laborer, and her father is imprisoned. They live in Mathare slums. Sivan received a tuition grant for one academic year from one of our committed donors.