A Summer Catch-up

Hi friends,

I hope your summer is going great. Mine has been a mix of exciting, busy, and (honestly) a little too fast! Summers just don’t feel as long as they used to. Now it’s like—school’s out, you blink, and suddenly August is already halfway here.

I finished my first year of middle school this spring, and I’m happy to say it went really well. I stayed focused, pushed myself, and even managed to have some fun. Since then, summer in Issaquah has brought fewer rainy days and a lot more sunshine. We hit 90 degrees this week, which is kind of wild for around here.

Even though it's summer, I've still been learning. I took a few summer school classes to get ahead, and I’ve also been working on a Harvard online certification in Government. I’m particularly interested in leadership and public service, and I’ve begun to seriously consider a career in politics someday. My dream job? President of the United States. (No pressure, right?)

And one of the most amazing parts of my summer? I got a dance scholarship that took me to New York City! I trained at some incredible studios, met the Rockettes, and even saw a few Broadway shows. It was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life.

Now that I’m home, I’m refocused on the work that matters most to me—supporting my two campaigns: Fields to Future and Seeds of Hope. Today, I want to tell you about where we are with both.

Fields to Future: A Teacher in the Making

If you’ve been following along, you know that Fields to Future is all about helping one amazing student, Patrick Wesonga, achieve his dream of becoming a high school teacher in Bungoma, Kenya.

Patrick is someone I truly admire. After losing his father at age nine, he helped support his family by working in the fields while staying committed to his education. And now, thanks to your support, he’s just finished his first year at Kibabii University—with all As and Bs!

I’m so proud of how far he’s come. He’s not just studying to better his own life—he’s studying so he can return to his community and inspire the next generation. That’s what makes Fields to Future so powerful. When we help one student, we’re also helping the hundreds of students he will someday teach.

We’re now working to raise $900 by early August to cover Patrick’s fall semester tuition. That includes not just school fees, but also essentials like internet access, study materials, and transportation. We’re close, but we still need your help to get there.

If you’re able to contribute, please visit www.charliecaresfoundation.com. Every donation helps Patrick stay on track—and stay focused on the future he’s working so hard to build.

And by the way—Charlie Cares merch is launching soon! I designed it myself, and all profits go to supporting Fields to Future and Seeds of Hope. Keep an eye on the site!

Seeds of Hope: A Record Harvest

Now for some great news from our other campaign, Seeds of Hope. Just last week, we harvested our fourth planting in Bungoma—and it was the most successful one yet. We estimate that this harvest will feed around 140 families, and many of them will also be able to sell their surplus maize for extra income. That money helps cover essentials like medicine, school supplies, and clothing.

Seeds of Hope provides farmers with high-quality maize seeds, fertilizer, and planting guidance timed with Bungoma’s three growing seasons. We’re now preparing for the next one—called the Short Rains season—which starts in September.

The Short Rains season is less predictable than the others, but still very important. With the right seeds and timing, it can produce a strong harvest. To do that, we need to raise $2,000 to supply farmers with seeds and fertilizer in time to plant.

If you'd like to help support the next season’s planting, you can do so through our website. Every single dollar helps a farmer grow food for their family—and for their community.

Thank You

This work isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Whether I’m cheering for Patrick from across the world or watching maize grow in Bungoma fields, I see the difference your support makes every single day.

Thank you for believing in these missions—and in me.

With so much gratitude,
Charlie