Our Story

Hujambo (Hello)

My name is Sandra Mwakwari, the founder of EFM Foundation. I grew up in the village of Werugha, Taita Taveta, Kenya and attended elementary school at Werugha Primary School. The reason I started this foundation is to give back to my community and support the students at my alma mater. After I finished my studies at the University of Nairobi, my mentor professor recommended that I go to the United States to continue my education. I was accepted into Louisiana State University (LSU) with a full scholarship, but I needed to fund my journey to the States. My family raised half of the airfare and the whole village came together to pay for the rest. I arrived with $40 in my pocket and a dream. I understand the value of education, but how can the children of my village concentrate on mathematics with empty stomachs? I know firsthand the needs of my people and the heart they have for helping each other. 

In 2019 I traveled back home to my village and ran into one of the girls I grew up with. She was born with a withered leg and arm, but despite the disability, she was still working in the market to provide for her family. As I listened to her story, I was touched. Her husband had been falsely accused and sentenced to life in prison. She was left alone to raise their son, a 4th grader at my elementary school. This was the confirmation I needed for an idea I had in my heart long before that trip. When I returned to the US I was determined to help that little boy and every student like him. I shared this burden with my pastor and partnered with my home church, Cornerstone Church in Portage, MI. Together we raised the startup funds and officially launched the foundation in January 2021.

EFM is named in honor of my late mother, Emily Mwakwari. She inspired many to give financial and food support in my village, including the effort to buy my one-way plane ride. She passed away before witnessing my LSU graduation.