The Story Behind KEFI
When my daughters were in high school, we spent our spring breaks in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, volunteering with Caravana Mexicana, a sister-city service group. Our work ranged from building shelters and irrigating parks to maintaining playgrounds and painting schools. One year, we constructed a large play structure at a local orphanage.
Throughout the week, I watched the children entertain themselves with nothing more than a flat, worn-out soccer ball. They played with pure joy—laughing, competing, and creating their own fun, despite the challenges they faced. It was a powerful reminder that happiness isn’t about what you have; it’s about how you embrace life.
In Greek, Kefi means finding joy, even in difficult times. Inspired by the resilience and spirit of those children, the Kefi Foundation was born—to spark joy, foster connection, and create meaningful impact in communities that need it most.
About the Founder
For four decades, Jaime Richards taught and coached elementary, middle, high school, college, and adult school students. Currently, he’s working with new teachers as an assistant professor at National University. Jaime has published four books with two more in the works. His current project, My Vital Lesson — It’s the people; it’s always the people, asks educators, “What is the most vital lesson you teach your students? What do they most need to learn?”
As the founder and president of The Kefi Foundation, Jaime works to promote the kefi spirit by providing disadvantaged children with the equipment and instruction they’ll need to both lose and find themselves in art, athletics, dance, drama, and/or music.
Jaime and his retired first-grade teacher wife, Norma, live in southern California in a house filled with books, surrounded by family. Daughter, Kyrra, owns the Malibu Dance Academy. Son-in-law Dane owns a knife-forging business called Iron and Sand. Daughter Kylene teaches first grade. Two grand girls, Coale and Dwyn, lovingly call Jaime “Gaddy.”
When he’s not with family, Jaime loves reconnecting with his former students.
Check out a few kefi,moments below and join us to create more!
The puppy brings her kefi. She brings her puppy Kefi.
Students in rural Nicaragua returning home after school. They will trudge over dirt roads and paths, sometimes for many kilometers.
El Progreso Project - Our 2015 Kefi group and students in front of the joint Kefi/Seeds of Learning Project at El Progreso School.
Kefi baseball in Nicaragua (Check out home plate)
