In 2011, I finally started One Woman in Kenya.  I concentrated on education, food, the arts, and women’s issues. I only spent about $1,500, but I believe this helped in small ways.

Although the program is called One Woman in Kenya, the name is really a misnomer because I couldn’t have done this without my family and friends, both in the United States and in Kenya.  They have all my love and deepest gratitude.  Asante sana! The following 2011 projects would not have been possible without them:

EDUCATION

Antonio and Eunice Marangabassa were the first to receive of a donation from One Woman in Kenya.  The two hundred fifty dollar gift help them dig a foundation for a new science lab at their Makhanga Hope Academy Mixed Secondary School, which is located in Bungoma North District, Naitiri Location, Makhanga Village in Western Kenya.  “Tony” and Eunice are the founders of this school, and Eunice is the administrative director.  Their wonderful work and devotion to the students are changing lives.  Funds can be sent to the African Angel Children’s Fund at the following address:

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

1800 Wellsfargo Plaza

1000 Louisiana St., Suite 1700

Houston, TX 77002, USA

C/O AllanVan Fleet

713 826 1954

 

 

Kyambiti Secondary School

P.O. Box 840

Kitui 90200 Kenya

I wanted to have an essay contest at the Kyambiti Secondary School.  Writing skills are very important, and I wanted to encourage students to improve their writing. Plus, I thought they might have some fun with this.  Principal Peninnah Nzile, staff, volunteers, and community members warmly welcomed me into this exceptional school.  Chris Ndumbu, a retired teacher, organized and facilitated the essay contest. Because of Chris and Principal Nzile’s help, the essay contest was a success.  Forty students out of one hundred who would normally have been in the second form (tenth grade) had dropped out that morning because their parents could not afford to pay tuition so only sixty students were at the school to participate.  The topic was My Future.  Many of the students wrote that they wanted to become doctors so they could improve the lives of people, and most of them wrote that they wanted to help their aging parents and their community.  These are very caring young men and women.

Each winner received a certificate and a ribbon.  The money they won was applied toward their tuition.  Wambua Joseph was the winner.  His essay was about becoming a psychiatrist.  He was deeply concerned about the ramifications of mental illness in his country.Donations to this school will help the students.  Please make  your donation to the above address or to One Woman in Kenya.  Your thoughtfulness will truly be appreciated.

Kyanika Secondary School

P.O. Box 1004

Kitui 90200 Kenya

A two hundred fifty dollar donation paid for one semester of school for the five students.  This is not much money by our standards, but it is huge in Kenya. As in most schools, parents, and students at this school are struggling to pay tuition.   It is not easy to earn the money needed when there is a drought and famine, and it is heartbreaking to see students dropping out.  Many of them are orphans, and without an education, their futures are questionable at best.  The Kyanika Secondary School is helping as much as possible to encourage their students to learn and to stay in school, but their compassion and help is not enough.

FOOD

There is crippling drought and famine in Kenya, and people are dying as a result.  Furthering the problem, people from Somalia are flooding across the border into Kenya and require food, water, and shelter.  The much needed food is coming from many places around the world and Kenyans are uniting to help.  While I was there this trip, many successful Kenyans held a fundraiser at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi and raised funds to assist other Kenyans.

A friend of mine, Jack, who worked with me when I was in Kenya several years ago lives in Kitui, and this area, too, is experiencing a drought.  Crops have failed and conditions are very bad there.  I wanted to express my appreciation for all the work he had done on a library project I’d been part of.  Since I was aware of the drought conditions, I asked if I could take him and his wife, Gladys (pictured below with their son Paul and Baby Jemimah), to the market for food.  He had more than earned this trip to the market; it was my turn to say asante sana. If you are interested in helping the food situation in Kenya, please contact One Woman in Kenya.

 

I took about twenty packets of heirloom seeds and gave them to a couple of farmers.  If the seeds are successful in that climate, they will be able to harvest the seeds and use them next year instead of having to purchase new seeds each year, which creates a huge financial burden on them.  The recipients have been instructed to pass the harvested seeds on to other farmers next year.

THE ARTS

Every trip to Kenya, I have admired the artwork.  Their paintings, woodcarvings, jewelry, baskets, etc., are exquisite. However, in most cases, the artists do not receive the recognition or compensation they and their work deserve.  Also, many cannot afford to purchase supplies, limiting their ability to create. I have always thought this was unfortunate so I decided to have an art contest to encourage the artists and give them a venue to exhibit their work.  Many people came together in the community and volunteered to make this event memorable. Their support for the artists was heartwarming.  Finally, the artists were receiving the respect they deserve. Asante sana to everyone who made this event happen. The three winners received cash prizes, ribbons, and certificates.  It was a fun day and many attended. Money for art supplies are in dire need.  Also, it would be nice to expand the art contest.  If you want to help these artists, please contact One Woman in Kenya.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOMEN’S ISSUES

Eternity Worship Church

Pastor Charles and Mariam Kaloki

P.O. Box 41

Karen 00502 Kenya

 

Many women in Kenya struggle so that they and their families can survive.  Some have resorted to prostitution. Pastor Charles and Mariam Kaloki help people in Karen, Kenya, in many ways, but their work with the women particularly touched me. They give the women support, food, and a safe environment.  Additionally, they are training the women to sew.   Hopefully, this skill will help some of the women get off the streets and give them the security and dignity that everyone deserves. On this trip Miriam, two very talented tailors, Kelly and Nick, and I went to the River Road area in Nairobi and purchased bolts of material, thread, zippers, buttons, and lace so the women would have the items needed to make dresses for little girls and trousers and shirts for little boys.  By learning to make these clothes, the women are becoming skilled seamstresses.  Once the outfits are completed, the women give the clothing to the street children.  Pastor Charles and Miriam are presently working to find markets for other outfits the women make.