Los Altos Pop-up Marketplace to Raise Funds for Africa

For Los Altos residents Jon and Caren McCormack, the annual Marketplace fundraising event is a yearly reminder of how much and how far their non-profit has grown. First envisioned more than ten years ago, The Kilgoris Project (TKP) has grown and thrived as a non-profit that helps to educate and nourish more than 600 children. Once again, proceeds from this event will help to operate schools, provide food and clean water, and foster economic development in rural southwest Kenya.

This year’s Marketplace pop-up boutique will take place November 7-10 at 235 First Street in downtown Los Altos. Local shoppers can get a head start on holiday shopping featuring unique and handmade items from small producers in Africa, the US and around the world.

The Kilgoris Project Marketplace Dates and Times

• Thursday, November 7: 10am - 9pm
• Friday, November 8: 10am - 9pm
• Saturday, November 9: 10am - 6pm
• Sunday, November 10: 10am - 4pm

“Just four years ago we were holding the Marketplace fundraiser at our house,” said Caren McCormack, The Kilgoris Project president and co-founder. “Friends and community members would drop in for holiday shopping and to learn more about TKP. The concept of offering high-quality artisan goods from around the world remains the same, but we are honored to both grow and share this event with the greater Silicon Valley community.”

The Kilgoris Project operates five schools, helping to expand educational opportunities for pre and primary school students, while at the same time exposing students to technology not often found in rural Kenya. Through a partnership with Wordreader, The Kilgoris Project has brought thousands of books to students and teachers in Kilgoris classrooms via Kindle e-readers. With the documented success of Kindles in the classroom, this year TKP introduced photography and creativity to the curriculum through the use of digital cameras.

While education remains at the core of TKP’s mission, through health outreach, students receive well-child checks, and access to nutritious meals and hand washing stations at school. The organization also partners with the Kilgoris community to run a tea farm and women’s co-op, both generating income for the community.

The Kilgoris Project is headquartered in Los Altos, California and several board and staff members live and work in the Bay area.

The Kilgoris Project

The Kilgoris Project partners with the local community to educate and feed the children of a Maasai village in southwest Kenya. We work hand-in-hand with local leaders and families to operate schools, provide daily food and clean water, and foster economic development. 

(Editor's Note: This information was received by Patch from The Kilgoris Project and is reproduced here.)