I don't stop to think about how lucky I am enough. True, if you spend all your time thinking and not doing, you may waste your moments here on earth. But when I really think about it, that I was born--defying all odds relative to space and time by being born in this era, in this country--during a time when it's practically a given that an American child will graduate from high school, I am truly blessed. Add to that the love and affection for and of family and friends, colleagues and clients, and this makes for a very thankful season.

I am especially thankful for the friendships that have remained intact for decades. With moves, changes of circumstance, changes in priorities and interests, it's easy for friendships to fall by the wayside. But some friendships remain steadfast. Such is mine with Brad Broder, Executive Director of the KEF. I really can't remember life without Brad and his family. We met in the early 80s, and have been like family ever since.

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Bradley founded Kenya Education Fund as a means of supporting the children he befriended while serving in the US Peace Corps for two years (Kenya 1999-2001). Bradley has over 17 years experience working with Kenya and speaks fluent Kiswahili. His deep, personal connection with Kenya and knowledge of international development issues has led Bradley to focus KEF focus on keeping Kenyans in school to develop the country’s human capital and reduce dependency on foreign aid. Brad holds a BA in Spanish from SUNY Stony Brook and an MA in Political Science from Western Washington University. He lives in New York City with his wife and two sons.Notes from the show:

Brad founded the KEF in 2006.

The KEF gives scholarship to Kenyan high schools; you can sponsor a child for just $750 a year.

He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Loitoktok, Kenya from 1999-2001.

He was in Namibia when the towers came down.

When he returned to Kenya 3 years later, so many people had died from AIDS.

The KEF started with asking friends and family for money to send one girl and then five kids to school.

About Schmidt (2002), starring Jack Nicholson.

The KEF has helped thousands of kids get an education.

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