Kelvin Serem ’18 Featured in the New York Times

Like millions of other college students in America, Kelvin Serem ’18 returned to school this semester.

But Kelvin is sending 85 other students to school as well. They are attending a school he built—physically, philosophically and (with considerable help) financially—in his home village in Kenya.

• Read his inspiring story in the New York Times feature “A Kenyan Runner Maps a Way Home.”

Kelvin grew up without running water or electricity in the tiny village of Kibargoiyet, Kenya, but his intelligence, work ethic, passion and good humor were never in short supply. He scored high enough on a required national exam to attend St. Patrick’s, one of the best public schools in Kenya. But with hardships at home and six younger siblings, it was a continual financial struggle to remain.

In spring 2011, after a series of mysterious interviews with his school’s administrators, Kelvin got some unbelievable news. Blair Academy, a boarding school in N.J., had asked St. Patrick’s to select one student for enrollment—one with the character, academic prowess and determination to succeed—and if he can run, so much the better. Out of 700 boys at St. Patrick’s, he was the chosen one.

“It seemed unreal,” says Kelvin. “My classmates started celebrating but I kept thinking, why me? Why not my classmate who was top of the class? Why not the guy who took nationals in running or even someone who could cover at least part of the cost?”

Kelvin had never been more than a 30-minute drive from his home. He did not have a passport nor the money for a visa. But with generosity from Blair Academy and help from their determined staff, he arrived in America.

As the first person in his village to come to the U.S., he was determined to improve the quality of life for his siblings and other children in the village. Over the past two years, he has raised more than $50,000 for the Blair-Serem School in Kibargoiyet. Two of his younger siblings attend the school.

The school, which will eventually serve grades one through eight, opened in January 2014 and includes five rooms and teachers, a kitchen and a cook who serves breakfast and lunch. Although the cost of attending for one academic year is $80, of the 85 students currently enrolled, 24 of them don’t pay a penny thanks to generous donations, including some from the Lafayette community.

Passionate about both education and running, Kelvin is a government & law and international affairs double major and recently topped all other runners at this season’s opening cross country meet.

“So many people played a role,” Kelvin says. “We are all building this school….I don’t know how to say thank you enough. That’s why I tell my parents that if I die, do me a huge favor and make sure the school changes the lives of the students. That’s the best gift they could ever give me.”

Interested in donating to the Blair-Serem School, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization? Visit here.