Education

I haven't written a blog since November. A lot has happened in that time. We received a cheque from St Hubert School in North Bay for $940.00 that the students and staff raised by collecting change. What an excited time for us since these funds will help build a classroom at our new school in Kasavai village. A couple was at the school Christmas assembly when we received the cheque and called me. I met with them and they gave me a cheque for $1250.00 from their family. The funds will help with school supplies for the new school and another classroom. While I was at their place his mom called and when she found out what the family was doing, she and her husband sent a cheque for $1000.00 and another classroom is on the way.

The picture above shows the beginning of the building of the new school. This school will have 8 classrooms, a teacher's room, a library for the school and community and hopefully a community room. I feel so blessed that people have responded to help this village in Kenya. We take education for granted here and it is such a priviledge in so many other parts of the world.

This is the new Neema Vocational School that was completed recently and on January 15, 2012 several at risk and street girls started. They will take reading, writing and mathematics to gain basic skills, three days of intensive sewing classes, 1 session each week on how to begin a busisness from nothing plus counselling sessions and basic life skills classes.

This is such an exciting project that we helped fund and is being run by Transformed International. This will give many young women a chance to have a decent life.

What can I do?

I spoke to a Women's Coffee group yesterday in Powassan and this morning I was at a grade 4/5 class at Trussler School in North Bay. I love talking about the work Hope2Kenya does and enjoy answering questions about how people can help.

With Christmas coming up it dawned on me that there are many things that could be done to help the children in Kenya. A uniform costs $20.00 and that will enable a child to go to school. Many families can't afford that money so many children do not have the priviledge of attending school. Most of the families we work with are headed by widows or grandmothers and a chicken can be purchased for $5.00 and if it is a "layer," it can give the family eggs to eat and the rest can be sold. $25.00 will purchase school supplies for an entire classroom and $10.00 will purchase corn meal to make ugali and feed a family for a week.

There are so many things that we can do at Christmas to help make someone's life a little easier. Think of the people in our own communities who might need some help as well. Taking baking to someone who can't get out of the house; shoveling snow for a neighbour when the white stuff arrives; or visiting someone who is housebound. Remember it doesn't always have to be about money it can also be about giving of our time.

Think outside the box this holiday season and help others in some small way.

Another great craft show

Today was another great craft show at the Best Western in North Bay. We did extremely well and that means more funds for the craft co-operatives that make so many of the articles that we bring back. It was great to share with so many people today what we are doing in Kenya. Thanks to everyone who came for a visit or purchased something from us. Thanks to team members Ada & Steve Dreany and Sandra Brownlee. A very special thank you to Brigit, Ada and Steve's daughter from Ottawa, who helped us out for several hours before she left to go back home. It was a wonderful day.

Another craft show

This is a photo from the craft table at the Davedi Club last weekend. Today Kathy Hallett and I had a Hope2Kenya table at Trinity Church's Tea & Bazaar. We had a great afternoon and it is wonderful when people stop and talk and we are able to share with them about what we did in Kenya on this past trip.

Tomorrow is our last big craft show at the Best Western Hotel from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We have saved a little of everything for all our craft shows and we have some wonderful things that would make great gifts for Christmas while benefitting the groups in Kenya.

Thanks to everyone who has purchased crafts from us.

Craft Show

The team participated in the Davedi Club Craft Sale this past weekend. We did well selling the products that our groups make in Kenya. Funds raised from this sale will go back to the groups to help them purchase materials to continue with their crafts.

If you didn't get to see what we have, the team will be at the Trinity Church Tea and Bazaar on Saturday afternoon (12th) and at the Best Western Craft Show on Sunday (13th) from 9-4.

Hope to see you there.

kids who need help

I have been working on all that we did in Kenya and organizing stuff to go on our web site when I remembered the young people that we met that needed help. Bryan is 9 and lives with his mother and his grandmother in a small house. We met him last year when he was 8 and nothing has changed for him. He has severe cerebral palsey and of course his mother couldn't afford to put him in a special school. He has not learned to do anything by himself. His mother had him assessed at the school while I was there and he was accepted. The cost is only about $650.00 per year. He goes 3 months and comes home a month throughout the year. If anyone is interested in sponsoring him let me know. You only pay by semester.

Trevor is a 5 year old boy that we met at Kasavai village near Kakamega. We discovered that he is deaf and his folks are very poor. We had just come from visiting St. Anthony's School for the Deaf when we met Trevor. He is being assessed and hopes to begin at this school in January. Here he will finally learn to communicate in some way and be with children who also are the same as him.

This is a picture of Trevor and he could use a sponsor to help him go to this school.

Craft Sales

Want to keep people up to date on the craft shows that are coming up that we will participate in.

We have purchased many crafts from the groups that we help support and all the money we raise goes back to these crafts people.

We will be at the Davedi Club on November 5th and 6th and at the Unique Artisans Craft Show at the Best Western Hotel on November 13th.

Come out and see the wonderful workmanship of these fantastic crafts people.