Where we work
The Collective for Orphan Care and Education (COCE) works in Busia County in Western Kenya. Kenya has a population of approximately 48 million people. Its capital, Nairobi, is one of the most prominent cities on the African continent. Kenya is known for its diversity being home to 42 distinct African ethnicities, varied climate and geography, safaris and expansive wildlife reserves and national parks. English and Kiswahili are both official languages. Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy.
Kenya abolished school fees for primary school up to grade 8, in 2003. School attendance swelled overnight and the system became over-burdened. Currently, the student-teacher ratio is approximately 56:1.
While access to primary school has increased, secondary school enrollment has stagnated around 50%. This is largely due to widespread poverty that makes paying school fees impossible. It is estimated that 65% of Kenyan students will not complete 12 years of schooling.
"COCE Kenya focuses on providing educational and health opportunities to underserved people in Busia County, Kenya. We are a 15-year strong international non-profit. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Kenya and I am immensely proud of the work we have done thus far and the impact that we have made in the community. "
— Dr. Eusebius Small, Executive Director