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.

First Presentation since returning

Today Kathy Hallett and I presented to a group of Anglican Church Women in Sturgeon Falls. It was a great experience although I find I am quite emotional when I first return from Kenya.

Everything is still fresh in my mind and all the food distributions that we did seem like just a stop gap although they will provide food for a month or so for each family. We gave out food to over 500 women and that would feed over 3000 children. We also handed out food to 4 schools that would provide children with a lunch. For many that is their only meal of the day.

I have just finished doing a write up with pictures that will hopefully be up on the web site in a week. It is always difficult choosing pictures from over 2500 that we took. I am grateful to everyone who donated to Hope2Kenya so that we could once again provide food for many, finish a school, help to complete work on another school, provide school supplies for schools and teachers, and provide uniforms so that some children can now go to school. Without the ongoing support that we receive we couldn't do what we do. A very heartfelt thank you.

To the women in Sturgeon Falls today, thank you for all your support and for being so receptive to our message.

Back Home

I don't understand why we couldn't get into my blog while we were in Kenya. We managed a couple of blogs and then the powers of the universe wouldn't let us in. We have been home a week and I think the team is slowly recovering. For the three who accompanied me, Steve, Ada and Kathy it was an eye opening experience. For me it was a very emotional trip, moreso than in past years.

I found it difficult to watch grandmothers have to come to the food distributions for food. For some it was very humbling and others held their heads high and knew it was for their grandchildren, but it was not easy for them. We gave out a very large mat made of milk bags, and when the grandmother realized the size of it, she literally bent her head in prayer. She and the children would now sleep on something other than the dirt floor. We also handed out blankets to many families so they could be warm in the cool evenings.

We won the lottery by living in Canada and not Kenya. There is really not much that we don't have and compared to the Kenyan women we met- we here are so rich. These women have such hope and faith and that is what sustains many of them.

The more blessed we are I think the more responsibility we have to help others in need.

Steve on Monday in Kitale

7 am Monday
The house is starting to wake up. I’m in the garden with my coffee. It’s pleasantly cool. It rained yesterday, the chairs on the garden gazebo are tipped up against the table to keep them dry. A dog is sleeping on top of the table. He see’s me and realizes it’s time to get down from his perch.
The birds are chirping and dancing among the dew covered leaves, everything is damp and luscious. It’s very peaceful, but it’s a false peace. In a few minutes the house will be awake and active, and that will only be the beginning. Yesterday the maize was delivered that we will distribute, but is has to be divided into individual bags. That will take most of the day.
There are seven kids staying here at the Transformed International compound. They are here in faith based personal growth internships. They stay for three months and work on different projects within the community. Many of the projects that they take part in are funded by Hope2Kenya. While at the compound they have duties and responsibilities. One of the those responsibilities is to cook. We’ve had two meals prepared by them and both have been delicious. Right now the girls are preparing a hearty breakfast for us…apparently we’ll need the strength today.
Monday – Noon
Wow, we just finished bagging food that will feed about 130 families. Each will get 100lbs of maize and a smaller bag of beans. We had help from the TI group and several local people. The work is extremely difficult, and I don’t think I’ve ever been dirtier. It is however very rewarding.
The TI compound is at once very busy and very peaceful. There’s a group of 40 women in the garden being given classes on elementary business skill, sponsored by Hope2Kenya. This, along with a small amount of money will allow each of them to start their own micro business. They began their lesson today with a prayer and a song. There’s a awful lot here to admire.
We had lunch in the garden with the 40 women that are taking the classes. Lunch was beans, rice and cabbage. It was cooked over open fires in the yard. It was one of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten. The company and surroundings were magical. While we were having lunch one of the TI workers Mark saw a monkey in the trees. He was coaxed down with a banana. I’ve a couple of great pictures. Unfortunately the internet here is too slow to upload anything. I’ll post them later. There a few nice shots.
Monday Dinner
It’s 5:30 here now. We’ll be having dinner soon. I’m sitting in the garden writing this and the smell of dinner from the kitchen is wonderful. Don’t know what we’re having, but it sure smells good.
Tomorrow will be another long day. In the morning we will be giving out the food, and then we have another busy afternoon. Remind me later to write about the amazing amount of organization that has gone into this trip by Sandy. The three weeks here is merely the culmination of a year of organization and fundraising. It’s amazing.
Steve

Day One, Attempt Three

Well let me try again. My first blog disappeared and I had a little mental meltdown so after everyone here consoled me and encouraged me…

I woke up to the strange sound of Kenyan birds and thought “Wow, we’re really here. “ Tonight at dusk writing this to the sound of Kenyan crickets singing, I think about how grateful and lucky I am…for my family, friends and everything I have been fortunate enough to experience.

We started this morning by going to a race sponsored by Sandy. This has given many athletes a chance to enrich their lives and develop as athletes. There were about 36 Kenyan runners. Sandy wore her “In my dreams I’m a Kenyan runner” t-shirt. Three were para-Olympic runners. One was deaf and one was blind. The blind runner had an elastic rope on his wrist pairing him with his team mate. There were also 6 women. To me, they were all winners.

This afternoon we went to visit a very special man, Daniel Juma. His story was inspirational and a tribute to the human spirit. He was afflicted with polio as a child and so, as per the cultural norm, he was hidden from society and denied any outside social activity or education. He tells of an American missionary who took him in gave him a home and an education. I hope she knows how many people’s lives this have benefitted. Daniel Juma is married to a women I was not fortunate enough to meet today. Together, they have 29 children. Seven, I think are biologically theirs and the others were orphans that they have taken in. Daniel is quite entrepreneurial and a very wise man. He has taken something given to him, monetary and otherwise, and he has grown this into so much. He is educating and giving a loving inclusive home to all these children. I imagine if they were to contribute as much to the lives of others as he has…

“To the world you may be only one person, but to one person you may be the world “

Well as someone in my life has encouraged me, I will try to take in and cherish every minute so that I can always remember. I am so blessed.

Xo ada, mom, gramma

our first full day in Kitale Kenya

Well let me try again. My first blog disappeared and I had a little mental meltdown so after everyone here consoled me and encouraged me…

I woke up to the strange sound of Kenyan birds and thought “Wow, we’re really here. “ Tonight at dusk writing this to the sound of Kenyan crickets singing, I think about how grateful and lucky I am…for my family, friends and everything I have been fortunate enough to experience.

We started this morning by going to a race sponsored by Sandy. This has given many athletes a chance to enrich their lives and develop as athletes. There were about 36 Kenyan runners. Sandy wore her “In my dreams I’m a Kenyan runner” t-shirt. Three were para-Olympic runners. One was deaf and one was blind. The blind runner had an elastic rope on his wrist pairing him with his team mate. There were also 6 women. To me, they were all winners.

This afternoon we went to visit a very special man, Daniel Juma. His story was inspirational and a tribute to the human spirit. He was afflicted with polio as a child and so, as per the cultural norm, he was hidden from society and denied any outside social activity or education. He tells of an American missionary who took him in gave him a home and an education. I hope she knows how many people’s lives this have benefitted. Daniel Juma is married to a women I was not fortunate enough to meet today. Together, they have 29 children. Seven, I think are biologically theirs and the others were orphans that they have taken in. Daniel is quite entrepreneurial and a very wise man. He has taken something given to him, monetary and otherwise, and he has grown this into so much. He is educating and giving a loving inclusive home to all these children. I imagine if they were to contribute as much to the lives of others as he has…

“To the world you may be only one person, but to one person you may be the world “

Well as someone in my life has encouraged me, I will try to take in and cherish every minute so that I can always remember. I am so blessed.

Ada

One more sleep

We leave tomorrow. Although we have been organizing for many months it is hard to believe that we are finally going to Kenya. I am not packed yet although I tried and now have to empty my bag and begin again to try and get everything in and not be over the weight limit. I want to take everything I can for the folks in Kenya but I do need some clothes and supplies for myself.

I am grateful for all of the support that we have received for this trip. We have raised enough money to do 4 large food distributions and that will help many Kenyans feel better.
Thanks also for all the prayers and emotional support that the team has received.
Please follow our blog each day so you can keep up with our daily adventures and keep us in your thoughts each day. We will need all the help we can get.

Packing to go

This morning the hope2kenya team, 2011 packed up for our trip to kenya. We are taking 9 bags each weighing 50 lbs. and still couldn't take everything that we wanted.

Steve Dreany, Sandy Foster, Kathy Hallett and Ada Dreany worked all morning sorting, and trying to fit everything in.

Here is just some of the stuff we managed to pack into

our cases. The team is excited about the upcoming trip.

Another day closer

I can't believe how much there is to do before we leave on Thursday. I just brought all the things we need to pack from our storage unit. Running shoes, medical supplies, t-shirts, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soccer balls, pens and pencils, story books for a children's library, children's clothing, knitted dolls and knitted sweater, small quilts and the list goes on. We can each only carry two 50 lb bags and I am hopeful that we can get everything in. If we are overweight then we have to pay extra and we need those funds for food.

My downstairs looks like a store with eveything laid out. Tuesday is packing day so everyone cross your fingers and hope that it all fits in.

I will put up pictures of everything we are taking with us.

I have received many emails from the folks in Kenya. I just received an email from the women's group that we work with in the Maasai Mara. That is one of the areas that has been hard hit by the drought. They have asked us to help feed the women and their neighbours so we have added another food distribution to our list. People have been generous with their donations and I think we will have enough funds to do this extra project. I am reminded of how much we had here at home. As I ate my breakfast this morning I thought of the children around the world who have nothing to eat and it makes my heart sad. Being able to help, even just a small group, is something that Hope2Kenya can do.

Thanks to everyone for all your financial and emotional support.

One week to go

I have been a bit overwhelmed this week since we leave one week from today. I still have lots of things to do and on Tuesday, September 13th the team comes here to pack. I will take some photos and put them up on this site so you can see how much stuff we can get into our luggage. I use the same bags each year and each team member can carry two bags with 50 lbs. in each bag. We also carry back packs that are full as well.

Each team member gets a small amount of space in one of the bags, for their personal stuff. We travel light!!

Because of the famine in parts of Kenya, and the opportunists who purchased corn when they saw their would be a need, we are doing food distributions in four areas. It seems the most important thing this year. We will also be checking in on some of our other projects and painting the new vocational school for our at risk girls program. One of the fun times will be visiting InStep baby home where we can spend the day holding babies. I love this part. They just hang on tight and absorb as much love as we can give each of them.

It will be fun handing out the dolls, sweaters, bubbles, crayons, skipping ropes amongst all the things that people in our area have donated.

Several people have donated funds for school uniforms so 30 kids will now be able to begin school. That is exciting for the children as well as the parents. They want their children to have an education.

I will update again next week after we pack and then a team member will be blogging each day that we are in Kenya.

Bonfield Talk

Last night I had the priviledge of speaking at a fundraiser for the Bonfield Library. They had a ladies night out and had invited me to be a guest speaker and talk about my experiences in Kenya. I wore the hand beaded outfit that was made for me by the Maasai women's group that we try to support in Kenya.

The evening was great and it was wonderful to again speak about the work that Hope2Kenya does. Each time I talk about this, someone hears me for the first time and gets inspired to do something to make the world a better place. I always enjoy answering questions and helping people to understand that we have to help within our own communities but it is important not to forget those around the world who do not live in such a great country like Canada.

We leave in another few weeks and last minute things have to be dealt with. I have received requests for food distributions in other areas so we are hoping to provide food in small villages where crops have not grown. We are so lucky that we can go to the store, a food bank, or a soup kitchen and get something to eat. Over half the population in Kenya does not have that luxury.

In three weeks we will be on our way.

Comfort Dolls for Kenyan Children

I am always amazed at the number of people who want to help out with what the Team does in Kenya each year. Some folks have funds to donate and others want to give something that will bring joy to a child's face.

Last year we were able to hand out hundreds of Comfort Dolls to the children we saw in Kenya. They were made by many women knitters in North Bay and area and brought pure joy and delight to each child who received one. In fact many older children wanted one as well, but we ran out of them.

This year again, many women put wool to needle and we have received many dolls to again distribute. Two women that I met at the YMCA, Joan Rayburn and Jean Arthur, worked together and this morning presented me with 100 completed Comfort Dolls to take with me. These women gave of their time and talent to bring happiness to a child in Kenya.

Many thanks to you both for your effort and for caring for children half way around the world.

Choral Society presents funds to Hope2Kenya

Shelly Price of the North Bay Choral Society is presenting a cheque to Sandy Foster of Hope2Kenya. The Choral Society recently held their spring show and it was a resounding success. They sang a song called "Africa" during the show, featuring photos from the work done by Hope2Kenya. Hope2Kenya also had a booth at the show and people were able to see what we do in Kenya during the intermission.

The Choral Society gave a percentage of their door receipts to us and we received a cheque for $2100.00 which will go a long way in helping the children we work with in Kenya.

Thanks to all the members of the Choral Society for bringing hope to the children of widows of Kenya.

Students knit dolls for children in Kenya

This past week I was priviledged to visit Helen Gobby's grade 5/6 class at King George Public School. She has 28 students and thought it would be a great idea to teach her students to knit. She had heard about the comfort dolls that people in North Bay were knitting for our team to take to Kenya and hand out to the children and thought this would be a great idea for her class. She enlisted the help of several women knitters in North Bay who came into her class to help teach the children.

Each student knit a doll, wrote a letter to the student who will receive the doll and included a picture of themselves with their letter. They worked hard on their project and were very proud and excited with their achievment when they presented them to me to take over in September.

What a great idea since children in Kenya rarely have toys. I am anxious to give these out to the students in Kenya to see the look of joy on their faces. Thanks to all these students and their teacher for thinking of children on the other side of the world who have so little..

In a little more than two months I will be leaving once again for Kenya. This year's team is smaller than usual but there are three fantastic people going with me. Steve and Ada Dreany and Kathy Hallett, all from North Bay. We have a lot planned for this trip and I am hoping that everything will be accomplished.

I am always excited in the lead up to the trip each year: collecting what we are taking over, purchasing school supplies, deciding what projects we have funds for and making sure that all our paperwork is in order. It is a busy time but full of anticipation.

I will begin blogging on a more regular basis to let everyone know about our upcoming trip.

I have done a lot of speaking this year about Kenya, but mainly to church groups. Tomorrow I will speak to a grade 5/6 class in North Bay and in the evening to the Trefoil Guild. A week or so ago I drove to Parham and spoke at a small school of only 115 children. They were so excited to hear about the kids in Kenya and they have been busy raising funds all year. They are anxious for the strike to be over so they can send me their cheque. Their teacher Debbie Jones is one amazing woman and used the fundraising as part of her teaching.

We are so lucky to live in a great country like Canada and have so much.