Dreams of a young girl

Our Christian Relief Fund roots run deepest in Kisumu, Kenya where we have had about 5 years of operating experience. The work there is centered in the Nyalenda slum, where over 500,000 people call it their neighborhood. The Ring Road Orphan's Day school has over 500 kids from 1st to 8th grade attending daily. They get 3 meals a day, a good education, healthcare, clothing, and as much love as we can give them. That is still not enough, but they seem to make do, and are thriving.

This trip we purposed to repaint the entire school building inside and out. It started out as a huge moving and cleaning project as the building was scrubbed top to bottom in anticipation of receiving a fresh coat of paint. I was put in charge of cleaning walls on the inside. One thing about these kids, they love to help. I don't know why, but they will hang around you watching you work a scrub brush and then somehow take it out of your hands to finish the job. They are not afraid of hard work, and never ever complain. I need my American kids to see this for themselves. My work crew consisted of 3 pre-teen girls. The ringleader was Marcy, a 6th grader. She and her two friends were helping me scrub the walls and remove any tape or glue remaining from the posters we took down earlier. As we worked we talked. They mostly wanted to know about life in America. They asked me about my family, my house, my kids, on and on. No details could be left out; they wanted to hear it all! So I told them what life was like in the US. They were eager to come to the US to thank their sponsors. So I started asking about their sponsors. Marcy is sponsored by a group of college students from Tennessee, her friends by individuals in Texas and Washington. Marcy told me how much she loved her sponsors and wanted them to come visit her in Kenya to see how she was doing. The girls then started talking about prior visits groups had made to Kisumu...they remembered each and every one of us by name. It was touching to hear them talk about us in such loving ways. 

I asked them one other question. I asked them what they dream about for their lives. One girl dreams to be a doctor so she can work at the local VCT (AIDS Clinic) to help her neighbors. One girl wanted to be a teacher at Ring Road or another school. Marcy wants to be an engineer. Her dream is to tear down the slum and create affordable good and nice housing. She doesn't like the way the slum is old and ratty. She dreams of nice houses like what she hears about in the US. I told them I was proud of their dreams. Marcy continued on...she told me that she has been at the school as a sponsored orphan for over 3 years. She came as a 9-year old after her mother died. She told me that 3 years ago she couldn't have dreams. She was trying to survive, and her dreams consisted of thoughts of food and the endless hunger she felt. Because of her sponsors in the US, she was fed, clothed, educated and she felt loved. She said she can change her dreams because of people she doesn't know, yet can still love. It is amazing how small gifts like monthly sponsorship can accomplish big things. That $22 each month that a sponsor sends for these kids really does change a life. Marcy is testament to that. She giggles and laughs like any pre-teen. She has awkward moments and is easily embarrassed like the child she is. But I don't know many 12 year olds that have changed their view of life as much as Marcy has. 

I didn't get to spend enough time with this remarkable girl, but the 2 hours we spent together will be with me forever. I hope all 3 reach their goals. I pray that their sponsors continue to put a priority on them during this tough economy. 

If you want to help, I urge you to sponsor a child through Christian Relief Fund. (www.christianrelieffund.org) There are hundreds of children like Marcy on our waiting list. They currently watch the goings-on at Ring Road from beyond the gate because they aren't sponsored. It breaks my heart to see them look on the activity at the school and want so badly to come in. Maybe their dreams can be changed too.

Chow!

I Left My Heart in Africa

Well, I am back from Africa...full of stories, insights and ideas, but more than that, I am full of wonder, humility and concern. The needs in Africa are amazingly huge, with just a tiny bright light at the end of a dark, long tunnel called AIDS. I think orphans and AIDS treatment is the new export of Africa. I am hoping and praying that it is only a 1-generation issue, but Africans don't believe that, who am I to think that?

Here is a brief log of my travels and experiences. I think I need to start by telling you all about the Ring Road Orphans Day School. RRODS is located smack dab in the middle of the Nyalenda Neighborhood in Kisumu, Kenya. About half a million people live in that neighborhood. Most western aid workers call it a slum, but the Kenyans don't...they think it is a middle class neighborhood. It is legit...property is dealt, rents are paid and recorded, and people work hard. We call it a slum because it lacks basic utilities like running water, electricity and sewers.



The school for orphans was started 10 years ago, in fact, they celebrated their 10 year anniversary while we were there...3 Christian workers were pestered by an orphan during their lunch hour. As they talked to the boy, they were convicted by his horrific story of starvation, abuse and lack of status. Both parents died within a few days of each other with AIDS. His closest relatives stole all his belongings and put him on the streets...the streets didn't want him either. He lived by his wits starting at the young age of 7. Jared, Thomas and James decided right then and there that they needed to do something to help. They took him in, and started teaching him how to read, write, and basic math. Guess what? There were more like Peter...many more. The three Kenyans began a small school in their church building, and it slowly grew.

Let's fast forward to today. Ring Road is the model for how to normalize and care for AIDS orphans in Africa. The work there supports, educates and loves about 400 orphans. African culture dictates that orphans should be sheltered by extended family, not institutionalized. The school is for orphans only...usually AIDS orphans are at the bottom of the status ladder...last to receive anything. Putting them first helps build their esteem and confidence.

With a budget of $22 per orphan per month, RRODS is able to feed them 3 meals a day, 7 days a week, cover their school expenses, clothing, and a little healthcare as well. That money comes from individual sponsors in America through the Christian Relief Fund. The staff and administrative costs come out of additional donations made privately or through missions support from all over the world. That they can do all this with only $22 is amazing. Jerrod believes that you have to also take care of their spiritual and emotional needs as well. For real growth to occur, the kids need to feel "normal"...not just fed and clothed. That means fun. So they have 5 soccer teams and the best scouting troop in all of East Africa. How to measure success? How about these tidbits: Ring Road had two of the top 3 scores in National Standard Tests for 8th graders in all of Kenya! Interesting to note that the Ministry of Education has been trying to shut the school down (as substandard) for the past 4 years. Ever since the test results, they have changed their tune. What else...oh! They have the best boy scout troop in all of East Africa and the best girl scout troop in ALL of Africa. They were asked to represent Africa in the UK, but alas, without a budget they could only send one lone girl scout. Irine is a 7th grader, and will be representing Ring Road in London this week. Traveling to London all by herself due to lack of funding. Poets? Got em...one of the 7th graders is a Kenyan award winner based on her poetry about her life affected by AIDS. These kids are gritty fighters that just want a chance at life.

Here is the school: Build by the NW Church in Seattle, WA. The NW group also pays the teacher salaries and operating expenses.




Here are some pictures of the Nyalenda Slum as we walked the roads to get to the school. Yes, it smells as bad as it looks. I have a picture of a butcher shop...I couldn't tell if they were selling meat or flies.




I loved the food. I know now the source of southern cooking: Fried Chicken, Red Beans and rice, fried fish, grits, greens and okra all come from Kenya. Fried Kuku (chicken) is a popular dish as is Samaki (fish), Ugali (corn meal), and Sakama Wiki (collard greens). The literal translation of Sakama Wiki is "to push through, or extend the week". Wild greens are gathered and cooked and help stretch the food through the week.

Here is a shot of our first meal in Africa. We ate at Maria's Cafe. An interesting place from a hygiene point of view. No running water, so don't eat the salad. One of our group didn't heed this advice and had an intestinal problem the whole trip. The wholed fried Tilapia was delicious as were the red beans and rice. Jerrod picked this restaurant because the orphanage just started a new side business...raising broiler chickens for market, and Maria's buys their chickens.

Here are some pictures of the kids...a few years ago, before Christian Relief Fund started sponsoring them, they weren't the picture of health that you see now. We thought many of them wouldn't survive, they looked so sickly. Not only are they healthy, they are thriving. They are respectful, helpful, and obedient. The older kids mentor the younger ones.

They love to play...three boys turned a plastic soda bottle into a makeshift soccer ball. We brought footballs, frisbees, hacky sacks, and jump ropes for them. "Keep-Away" with the football turned into their favorite because 200 of them could play at one time.





Another key part of the orphans upbringing is to make them feel like they are contributing to the welfare of their guardian families. Too often orphans are made to feel unworthy because they are a drain to the family budget. Jerrod and staff know this and do something to correct this by giving the orphans food to bring home to their families. Once a month, the kids take home enough food for a week. Rice, beans, and in this case corn. We sent each kid home with 10 kilos of corn. It was fun to see their excited faces and to watch the little ones lug home all that food. They were singing makeshift songs..."I am bringing home the food, and someone will cook it for all of us". The kids also were given new school uniforms, based on their performance in class. New uniforms for meeting set objectives.

Tenth Anniversary Party!

To celebrate 10 years of existence, Ring Road decided to have a huge party. The invited guests included the Minister of Education as the guest of honor, local newspapers, television and radio reporters and all their neighbors in the slum. We had food prepared for 800 people! We waited in the hot sun for 3 hours for the late arriving minister of education...and when he finally arrived, the medial let him have it...asking why the school was not funded, why they didn't have resources but still put public schools to shame, etc. It was great! At the end of the day, he pledged support to the school. But those are just words...we will wait to see what really happens. Someone called him a "crocodile", which in Swahili is not a compliment.

All the speeches were finally finished around 4:30 in the afternoon. The orphans and neighbors had been waiting for lunch since 11 in the morning. But what a party! The kids sang songs, read their poetry, danced a Harambe (asking individuals to dance with them while collecting a donation from them), and performed skits based on their struggles. It was amazing. The scouts re-built their award winning camp, and gave tours of the classrooms and buildings.

Food for 800 being prepared...



Top Scout in the troop

Mama Mary keeping John cooking

Betsy teaches the kids a new game

Kids in front of a new mural by reknowned artist Ro Diaz

Al handing out treats to the kids

The pictures so far are of works that CRF sponsors. I also got a chance to represent CRF as we evaluated 3 other proposed projects in Kenya. Eldoret, Malindi and Mombasa are 3 other cities that would like to have CRF sponsorship for their orphans. I helped catalog and photograph hundreds of additional orphans. Check out the website and please sponsor a few.

CRF is unique in that you will develop a personal relationship with your orphan. You will get progress reports and letters from the child. There are stories of sponsors that have continued to provide funds for their kid through college. Some even providing wedding costs and baby showers for "grandchildren".

http://www.crf.org

SAFARI!

Okay, It wasn't all gut-wrenching orphan work. I did take one day to do a little touristy stuff. I figured, hey, I am in Africa, I need to go on Safari! So a few of us found a 1 day Safari to East Tsavo National Park. East Tsavo is best known for their lions...these are the ones featured in "Heart of Darkness", the story about man-eating lions slowing down the work on the Kenya Railroad at the turn of the 20th century. Tsavo lions are unique in that the mature males don't have big manes, they look almost maneless. Hmmm, I never knew that.

So here are a few snapshots of the wildlife we saw...

Giraffes were the group's favorite

Big Rhino up close

Here are two of the famous Tsavo lions...the male is on the right

A timid herd of elephants leaving a clearing quickly

One of my favorite shots from a high bluff overlooking a watering hole

It was an extraordinary trip. I now have a burden for Africa and its orphans. The best (and worst) thing happened to me while over there...I found that I care, that I want to help. I call it the worst because I know it will consume me over the next few years. If I don't heed the call, I will fall further from grace. God has asked me to help, how can I say no? think, "what can one person do?" One person can take care of one other person. I can have a vision, but I need an action plan. That is what I will be doing for the next several weeks...formulating my action plan. Starting upon my return, I will try to live a simpler life, and give of my excess.

Will you join me?

Chow!

"T.I.A" Attitude Adjustment Required

We haven't even left for Africa and the difficulty of international travel is rearing its ugly head. Booking airfare as a group means your individual rights are gone...no way to upgrade using your mileage (or favors from your big sister), seat assignments, on-line check in. Besides the airlines and hotel issues add the medical records, proof of birth, shots, currency exchange (here or there?), luggage weight allowances, language, weather, etc.

There is a saying in Africa to remind visitors of what it will be like...TIA-This is Africa! Things will go wrong, expect unexpected hassles, hurdles and understand that schedules and deadlines may have no meaning. I guess that is the excuse used to justify the unorganized, inefficient, and slow services we will experience. I am ready, having traveled around the world for most of my life. But I wonder about my companions...some of whom have never left the beauty and civility of the Pacific Northwest. We seasoned travelers will just have to care for them. "Roll with the punches", "Go with the flow", and "don't have any expectations" will have to be my mantra to counter TIA circumstances. Perhaps I will learn to be more patient upon my return.

I have been anticipating this trip for 2 years now, but am full of fear. Not the typical fear of disease, hunger, heat, mosquitos, danger or death; but I am afraid of what I will feel, see, smell, hear and taste while over there. Mostly my fear is focused on seeing the great need and not wanting to do anything about it. Apathy will be my greatest temptation. I am afraid to pray for faith because that would require action...action I may not be prepared to follow through with. That is too funny...I know my prayers would be answered, and I may not want them to be! But I am going with an open heart, hoping I have the strength and courage to do what is asked of me to do.

Many of you have been asking what our group from NW Church will be doing while we are over there. We have group responsibilities as well as individual assignments. Our group of 11 adults will be leading some teaching, preaching, singing, and ministry classes on Sundays, and will get down to the business of educating and caring for orphans of AIDS the rest of the time. We will be representing an arm of Christian Relief Fund out of Dallas. Our church supports the school by paying the rent, paying the teachers and keeping the buildings going, while CRF feeds, clothes, and cares for the children...about 380 of them at the Ring Road Orphanage and School. Besides Ring Road, we also have a group of children we support in Kitale at the Lakeside Orphanage. We have a fairly diverse group going...teachers, business people, skilled artisans, and me.

While I will help with some teaching, I will also be doing some leg work for CRF. We built an AIDS clinic on site at the request of the US Government who had set aside money for African AIDS grants for abstinence programs. We built the clinic to their specifications but did not get a grant...so we have an unfunded brand new clinic with no doctors, nurses, or counselors. By chance (or was it something else?) an AIDS doctor and missionary came across unsponsored orphans while looking for more sites to build and staff clinics. We know orphans, they know clinics...we may do a little horse-trading while over there. My role will be to see if something creative can end up in a win-win situation. I need to check out new sites for orphan support by evaluating the ministry leaders, the families and churches that will provide the services, and the orphans themselves. I will "process" them by getting their life stories, their picture and data for the CRF database. As with any of these charitable requests, we need to make sure the orphans' needs come first before any political or religious agenda. Pray for my discernment as I will be making recommendations that truly are life and death decisions.

I want to also see if there are opportunities to make the works there more self-sufficient and less reliant on cash donations from abroad. I have been asked to look at micro finance opportunities and I will look for other cottage industry type options like light assembly and manufacturing, or even warehousing. We shall see.

Keep us in your prayers. I think this post will be the last one for a while. I will keep a log and use that to add blog posts and photos upon my return.

Chow!