Océ Future Authors Project expands to Kenya

Extending the Océ Future Authors Project across the globe was the brainchild of Arianna Pattek, a junior at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service. This summer, Arianna was an intern with ThinkImpact, a nonprofit organization that connects American college students with young adults in rural African villages as part of a long-term mission to alleviate poverty.

Amos Tumaini Thoya, whose middle name means "hope," is a 32-year old high school student in the rural Kenyan town of Kaloleni. When he was born, he went home to live with more than 90 other relatives, an ailing 76-year old father and a mother who was wife number eight. While poverty, lack of access to education and care-taking responsibilities have presented Amos with severe life challenges, he remains hopeful for the future, especially since he became a student in the Océ Future Authors Project. Amos was one of 50 Kenyan students, from ages 13 and above, who were able to share their stories and emotions in writing for the first time in their lives.