Returning home

It was really unfortunate that I wasn't able to blog from Kenya our last 2 days there. So many wonderful things happened. After the school was demolished in December, a lot of looting took place. Textbooks expecially were taken and sold on the black market. Previous to the demolishion, Humble Hearts had enough textbooks for every 2 students to share one set. While that certainly doesn't measure up to US standards, that is a wonderful ratio for Kenya. The children and teachers were thrilled. Sadly, after the demolishion, the ratios change to every 3-6 students sharing one set of text books. Because of a generous donation, we were able to replace enough textbooks that again every 2 students are sharing one set.

Another very generous donation of more than $500 was given while we were in Kenya. This donation in part was used to purchase food for the children of Humble Hearts. Enough flour, beans and rice were purchased to last almost 2 weeks. It's such a wonderful relief to know the staff doesn't have to worry about these items after we left. Both of these donations will be matched by 50% and many more wonderful things will soon be done at the school.

We were fortunate to be able to meet with Muscort, the director of the Dagoretti Youth Centre, during our trip. He is such a kind and gentle man with a huge heart for the children of his school. With very little outside support, the Dagoretti school struggles every day to pay teachers and provide supplies for the students. We were thrilled to be able to give him backpacks, pencils, pens, and money to pay the teachers a little something this month.

My daughter had a birthday party last night and received dozens of silly bands. It's amazing to me how popular these have become so quickly. Millions of dollars are being spent and stores are selling out of them as soon as shipments arrive. As I watched her excitiment in opening these, I couldn't help but think that if each of us simply donated the cost of a package of silly bands to the Humble Hearts school, the same joy would be brought to these children as was brought to my daughter and the amount needed to receive the full matching donation would quickly be raised.

Will you consider donating to Humble Hearts? Even a small amount, such as $5, will completely change a child's life.

We've begun posting pictures on Facebook of this great trip. Please look through them and see the amazing difference your support is making for these children. They may live half-way around the world, but the laugh the same, cry the same, and learn the same as our children. Your support of them is helping them every day to grow and flurish as our own children do.

Grateful beyond words,

Kari

General Donations

I am frequently asked why general funds are so important. This is such a great question because funds for specific programs are talked about often and are vital to any program. Donations designated for specific programs keep those programs running on a day to day basis, support specific children, and meet specific needs. So, why are general funds so important?

I recently received a long list of items that were purchased and services received at the Humble Hearts School for the Deaf in Kenya. All of these needs were met because of general donations to the school. Approximately $1,670 was sent to Humble Hearts for general needs in April. In addition, one sponsor generously sent socks for any child who needed them.

The list of needs that was met is extensive....latrines were drained, mattresses were purchased for the preschool class, charts and posters were purchased for classrooms, pads were purchased for the older girls, chairs were added to the library and staff room, textbooks were purchased for the high school kids, the electric bill was paid, and medication was purchased for children with malaria and colds.

Although vitally important, none of these items are covered by sponsorship fees. Who would ever want to sponsor the draining of a latrine? Yuck! But because general funds were available to Humble Hearts, this vital need was met and children are less likely to become ill.

So next time you wonder if general funds make a difference, please remember this list of what was provided for the children of Humble Hearts in April. Every single dollar makes a huge difference.