HSU and Global Samaritan Resources Donate Equipment to Kenya

April 17, 2019 Lucila Decia, Staff Writer

(ABILENE, Texas)–The Hardin-Simmons pillars not only encourage students to serve the community, but also provide a global perspective at HSU. To promote this global perspective, HSU organizes international trips to reach out to people outside the United States with the mission of aiding local populations and recruiting international students. Recently, HSU delegates visited Kenya. With the help of the Global Samaritan Resources foundation, HSU will donate medical and athletic equipment to different areas of the country.

HSU Representatives in Kenya.

HSU Representatives in Kenya.

Hardin-Simmons has visited different parts of the world with the mission of sharing its values with an external audience and to bring a stronger global outlook to the school. Grey Hoff, associate vice president for Marketing and Global Engagement, John Neese, director of athletics, and Kisemei Kupe, Global Engagement Ambassador Kenyan native, visited the African country and got to experience the nation’s culture, customs, and interact with the community. The donated equipment will be used to help the development of schools and medical facilities.

The Global Samaritan foundation’s main headquarters started in Abilene in 1999. They are committed to helping a community of more than 30 countries around the world. Besides collecting goods to ship to those countries, they provide humanitarian aid, water purification, and disaster relief.

In the past, Kupe was asked to travel to Kenya to lay the groundwork and be able to acclimate the other representatives to the culture. When the group returned, they saw that the community needed training and medical equipment. Kisemei then asked the athletic department if they could donate the old gym equipment and it was approved. Now, they are getting the last details ready and will ship the machinery by the end of April.

“This trip meant a lot for me. It is a great opportunity to build confidence for the people in Kenya. They were so welcoming, and even the governor visited us and knows what HSU is doing,” says Kupe. “I feel like a connector between my hometown and HSU. I can really see how my people can benefit from the school and the school from Kenya. Hardin-Simmons is building good relationships and donating the equipment will help that building,” he says.

Grey Hoff high-fives local Kenyan children.

Grey Hoff high-fives local Kenyan children.

“This is a necessity the people in Kenya have. A long time ago I went to the dentist office, and I had to sit on a regular chair because they didn’t have the equipment. I’m happy that HSU is building this relationship and helping the Kenyan community,” says Kupe.

“The people were so excited, so happy to know that we are helping. They went to host us and are willing to receive what they need. I see them as partners, and overall I know there is going to be a good outcome from this experience,” Kupe says.

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