Smithtown School District Sends Donation to Children in Kenya

The Smithtown Central School District recently sent a donation of soccer uniforms and soccer balls to the Hope Children’s Home in Kenya.

Larry Hohler, who taught social studies in the Smithtown Central School District from 1966 to 1999, delivered the donations of "gently used" clothes and balls to the orphanage -- which he had a special connection to.

While teaching in Smithtown, Hohler received a sabbatical to travel and teach in East Africa.

He stayed in touch with one of his former students, Joseph Kirima, who now serves as director of Hope Children’s Home.

When the AIDs pandemic hit in the 1990s, many children lost their parents and were forced to live on the streets.

Hohler and Kirima helped to raise money in the U.S. and Africa and opened the Hope Children’s Home in 2005.

Photo courtesy of Smithtown Central School District