jambo,
i bring smiles from the kids and families here. thank you to all of you who are trying to help support the people here. sounds like i have many friends at the lorax, the t family, the eugene family, and blood family who are working so hard to get support and its hard for me to use words to express how much that means to me and people here.
i got news that starting monday the 29th children without uniforms would not be able to attend school. luckily this friday we finished 16 of the needed uniforms for the kids. i wish the computers worked here so that i could try to capture the love excitement and joy these kids felt as they were able to trade in their tattered holy faded clothes for new beautiful uniforms. many of them couldnt barely keep still as i tried to put the shirts over their heads. that day, they sung and danced with voices and movement of strength and confidence in their world.this gift really helps them to feel confident on their abilities in school and will encourage them to take their studies serious and succeed above their struggles.
another issue faced was the fact that the guardians who are a group of women who have banned together to take care of 35 children some theirs and others orphans were at a standstill with their efforts to provide food. they were graciously donated 1.5 acres of land which they tilled and prepared to plant maize and beans.with the drought they were unable to plant and even though recently the rain began to fall for a few minutes each night, they still had no means for purchasing the seeds. the land was wasting away. after seeing on the news that the seeds here were running out due to drought and there would need to be a seed purchase from china and other overseas areas with a high tax rate, i decided i must stop this chain of unfortunate events. i had to borrow some money an fortunately we were able to purchase all the seeds for the 1.5 acres. tuesday we will be able to plant the food and withing 3 months they should be able to feed the 35 children from the crops. this is fantastic. thankyou for all of you who are helping!
the next big issue is the big bellies i see due to harmful water. many of you have heard about these bacteria in the water and currently there are two companies providing aid efforts for these issues. one is called 'the life straw' and i cannot remember the other which i saw on a ted talks demonstration. basically there are straws and family bags which anyone can put into literal 'shit' water (demonstrated on ted talks) and there would be a completely safe filtered product. these filters are pretty cost effective and can only be sent to areas of extereme need. so whenever i get the collected funds from the projects which have been started, this is where the money will go to...filtration systems for the schools and also help with food until the crops produce. thankyou again!
i had the pleasure of going to the dyspensary to help with the measl vaccines which in 1 days gave over 50 children free shots and vitamins. everything went well until i had to see a real life image i though id only see on tv. it was one of those faces where its a skull only covered in skin. this little girls eyes were sunken into her head, the lips were barely visible and i could see every protrusion from her bones. it was a real reality check for me. i know in my heart we can prevent scenes like this one from happening and our hope and good vibes can be sent here and really make a difference. if you have anything to pray to just put out a word today for that little girl please.
yesterday i taught 35 girls how to write block lettering and do artistic fonts. it was a great gathering and afterwards i showed them some hula hoop tricks. it was so fantastic to see them roll their bodies around and giggle at the new toy. these faces remind me of the children back in eugene and i want them to know i miss them so much. i think about you every day kiddos!
anyway please look at the moon these next couple days as i will to and ill know youre on the other side seeing the same thing i am. we are connceted, we are all one, and i love you all brothers and sisters.
kwe!
kena achieng
