Abbie Michael lives in Grove City, PA with her husband and two children. She is an insurance producer with Turner Insurance Agency. In 2009, Abbie experienced eduKenya's work on a Vision Trip to Kenya. She reflects on her experience and why she is an eduKenya Partner for Hope.In a world where opportunities and programs to assist the poor abound, I believe eduKenya is very unique. Unlike many other international assistance programs, the ultimate goal of eduKenya is self-sustainability. The goal is to bring the program to a point that it can operate on its own without outside assistance, and in doing so, provide more jobs and opportunities for the Kenyan people.eduKenya also takes a holistic approach to education. Educating children so that they can begin to break the cycle of poverty in their families and communities is the primary goal. However, the program also offers education and micro-loan programs to assist parents of children and others in the community so that they can learn a trade or start a business in order to provide much needed income to their families.Once you have been to Mathare, interacted with the people, and seen abject poverty first hand, it becomes apparent that the people don't lack hope or drive. What they lack are resources, skills and education. Many also have never been taught that they are uniquely made by God, that they have value, and a future. When given all those tools, it changes the course of each person's life and enables them to rise above their circumstances and achieve their full potential.Abbie and other eduKenya Partners for Hope provide children and their families living in the Mathare slum the opportunity to break the cycle of extreme poverty and transform their lives. Stay tuned for more Partner for Hope reflections!