Skip to main content Part of complete coverage on  A passion for
learning lifts Kenyan youths out of poverty  By Marcy Heinz, CNN
February 1, 2013 -- Updated 2000 GMT (0400 HKT)   • Growing up,
Georgia natives Lee and Carole Johnson never imagined they would
visit Africa   • The couple first traveled to Kenya to volunteer
with children at an orphanage   • The Johnson's founded K.E.Y.
to help the children transition to adulthood and out of poverty
• Providing high-quality education and personal mentors is
central to the program's mission  (CNN) -- "In my old school,
they used to beat people. Like you have to bring firewood in
school, carry the water and you have to carry all of that and
you have to be there early in the morning. If you're late,
you'll be given a punishment, you'll be caned or sent home for a
week."  The memories of 13-year-old Rebecca Ikiru are crystal
clear as she considers what her life was like before meeting Lee
and Carole Johnson. Five years ago, she was living in an
orphanage in Lodwar