Something

In Kenya, I am learning, that nothing is as it seems. I am also learning that I can't do everything... but I can do something. So that's what I am doing with Frederick. Something to give him and his young family a foot hold in life. Terry's also written about the gong show we went through to get to his compound today to meet his wife and mother. And also his little girl. In all of our meetings over the past couple of weeks he never mentioned he had an 8 month old baby girl! She is a little darling. Terry urged him to put off having any more kids until their situation improves. But, by the way he giggled, I don't think the message computed.

Anyway, what we thought would be a quick 10 minute walk to Frederick's turned into an hour and a half of hopping in and out of vehicles, on and off bodabodas and walking on dirt roads. I have put a lot of energy into this one young family and I am doing it for myself as much as for him. Since we have been here I have met and seen organizations that help girls go to school, high achieving boys go to school, widows, orphans, women with literacy and in new businesses, and of course street boys. But what about the HUGE population of young people who have made it only to class 8, are now too old for high school, but have no marketable skills. So, that is how I chose Frederick.

We have some well wishers from home that are asking to help change a person's life and I am realizing that that is much easier said than done. The worst thing we could do is nothing, and the second worse thing we could do would be to hand over a sum of money (no matter how large or small) and disappear. The best help takes time and energy... training, money and on-going support. So, what we will do with any further donations -- and please pledge if the spirit moves you!!! -- is hand it over to groups that we trust that are here in Kenya that can distribute the money in a meaningful way for lasting support and most of all self sufficiency! As I told Frederick and Josephine (his wife), I will make sure that they have a good start and the rest is up to them. They need to work hard, together, to ensure their support. Right now I understand that they need money to get started, but after that, they must save and grow their businesses to ensure a good future for themselves and little Brenda.

So, I have a couple of favourite groups:

KASFOOC which helps widows and orphans; I will direct funds from anyone interested in food sustainability (fish and bananas)

Maji Mazuri which has three projects directly supporting residents of the Mathare Slum in Nairobi (HUGE NEED HERE), just let me know if your interest is women micro-finance, youth micro-finance and leadership training, or special needs children and orphans

WEBB which is a Kakamega based organization providing micro-finance and training for women in small business

And then of course, all the proceeds from the jewelry sales will support a women's adult literacy program in the rural village (name escapes me right now) where the artist is from.

Oh yeah, and if you want to send a child to high school, I've got great contacts for both girls and boys.

Whatever your fancy, we can put your money to good use! I'm just not going to try and do it all myself :-) though it is definitely worth all the hub-ub.