What a busy day! Today was filled with gathering as much information as possible on unsponsored children, interviewing teachers, taking pictures of kids already sponsored, buying food for Angel Cottage, and organizing books in the library. The list of unsponsored children is very long and full of need. Two girls stood out to me yesterday. One is a little girl named Claris. She is approximately 6 and deaf. Claris has never been allowed to attend school and was never taught sign language. She came to Humble Hearts this week and is curious about everything. She seems to be very bright and is picking up on the routine, a few signs, and classwork quickly. Another girl I learned about is Laureen. She has been at Humble Hearts for 2 years with no sponsor. She is in Form 2 (a sophomore in high school) and seems to have asthma. She loves to participate in sports, but it's hard because of her difficulties breathing. We will be sure she is able to see a doctor about this. If you would like to sponsor either of these girls, please contact us at patricia@angelcovers.org. As soon as I return, I can send a full bio and picture.
The dedication of the teachers was obvious during the interviews. I had the privilege of interviewing 5 and all love their jobs. They are working for approximately $90 a month, compared to 4 or 5 times that in government schools. One of the deaf teachers was told her entire life by her father that she could not go to school because she was partially deaf. She would sneak out of the house to go to school and when caught, would be locked in. She convinced the neighbor child to rip his textbook in half and give her half his pencil so she could study. After being severely beaten by a teacher because she didn't understand what he was saying, so lost all hearing in her left ear and for years had puss coming out of the other ear. After not passing the national exams to attend college, she worked in the rural areas growing ground nuts to pay for another year of high school in order to fulfill her dream to be a teacher. Against all odds she eventually attended teaching college and is now working at Humble Hearts. We are BLESSED to have her.
These are just a few of the stories I learned yesterday. The dedication of these great people is beyond compare. I'll post more stories when I return, but know you are a part of great things.
Kari
-------
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday in Kenya
The day was started by sorting the 3 huge suitcases full of school supplies, maps, pens, pencil sharpeners, stickers, toys, medicine, and countless other things we brought the kids. The teachers said over and over again it was like an early Christmas. The children had huge smiles on their faces and we were thrilled to be able to provide them with things they can't get in Kenya or cost too much to buy. The teachers were completely out of pens, and seeing their faces light up because of something so simple was great. We also recorded the heights and weights of all of the kids in school.
One thing we learned is still needed are bandaids. So, if any of you would like to purchase a box and send it to Humble Hearts by yourself, or send it to Angel Covers and we'll mail it for you, that would be great. All sizes are needed.
The afternoon was spent at the Dagoetti School. This is a school of approximately 590 children with very little outside financial support. Another suitcase full of items was given to them and they were equally pleased. Angel Covers has started chicken projects and purchased cows for the school, which were feeding 300 of the children 3 days a week. However, with the recent post election violence, the cows were stolen and most of the chickens have died due to disease because vaccines had to be missed because of the turmoil. The stories the men tell of tribal members hiding in the woods to burn houses, churches, and kill individuals just for the sake of killing are simply beyond anything I've ever heard before. The teachers are grateful to be alive for sure. The cow shed and the chicken coops remain, but funds are not available or another cow and there are only funds for 100 chicken, rather than the 500 they previously had. If you would like to help with this great need, please go to the donation page Textbooks and funds for teacher's salaries are also needed.
After visiting Dagoretti, we went shopping! It became clear that the children of Angel Cottage are in great need of boots for the rainy season. We were able to give each of them a new backpack yesterday morning, along with many of the secondary kids. So, the evening was spent buying rain boots, more backpacks, toys, and sanitary pads for the older girls. Many of you have asked me how much those are. Right now the cost is 70 or 75 shillings depending on what is purchased and the exchange rate is 68 shillings per dollar. So, for just over 1 dollar a girl can stay in school each month.
Tomorrow will be spent gathering bios and photos of children who still need sponsors, interviewing teachers, sorting textbooks, and taking pictures of sponsored children. Even though school started for the term on Monday, not all of the children have reported. We are hoping they will all report by Monday of next week so we can get pictures of everyone.
Internet is spotty at best, but feel free to email any questions or comments to kari@angelcovers.org I'd love to hear from you!
Kari
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday in Kenya
After buying more than $400 worth of textbooks and office supplies for Humble Hearts, we went to see the Angel Cottage construction site. Recently we were able to send funds for the purchase of a cow and construction of a shed. This shed is
being made of concrete in order to provide greater security and will not only house the cow, but will also house the chickens and have a room for the caretaker to live it. The construction of the shed is next to a new garden. Frequently Angel Covers is given funds that can be used for anything Humble Hearts needs. Being a forward thinker, Beatrice has leased land for a garden and has planted kale and spinach for the children of Humble Hearts. Although the plants are small now, it's clear that this garden will produce a lot of food for the children.
Angel Cottage construction is truly amazing. Much bigger than it seems on paper, Angel Cottage will be a wonderful home for at least 80 children. Walls are up and the next step is to put the 'slab' or roof on the top. Angel Cottage is being built in a manner that 3 additional stories can be built on top to house even more children. Beatrice has already started mapping out where all of the names will go on the bricks and it's going to be lovely. All of the names will be located next to the play area for the children so they always see each name as they are outside playing. Please tell all your family and friends about this great opportunity. each brick can be purchased for a minimum donation of $10 to Angel Covers and will completely change a life.
Paying for Angel Cottage has to be a top priority. 36 children are currently crammed in 2 rooms and Beatrice knows of at least another 20 who need a home. The day the new Angel Cottage opens, at least 56 children will move in. we will soon be sending out a newsletter telling you how you can help this exceptional cause.
Today we will organize all of the supplies we bought and go to the Dagoretti school, where we have started chicken and cow projects.
Please spread the word to everyone you know. Your efforts are changing lives!
Kari
being made of concrete in order to provide greater security and will not only house the cow, but will also house the chickens and have a room for the caretaker to live it. The construction of the shed is next to a new garden. Frequently Angel Covers is given funds that can be used for anything Humble Hearts needs. Being a forward thinker, Beatrice has leased land for a garden and has planted kale and spinach for the children of Humble Hearts. Although the plants are small now, it's clear that this garden will produce a lot of food for the children.
Angel Cottage construction is truly amazing. Much bigger than it seems on paper, Angel Cottage will be a wonderful home for at least 80 children. Walls are up and the next step is to put the 'slab' or roof on the top. Angel Cottage is being built in a manner that 3 additional stories can be built on top to house even more children. Beatrice has already started mapping out where all of the names will go on the bricks and it's going to be lovely. All of the names will be located next to the play area for the children so they always see each name as they are outside playing. Please tell all your family and friends about this great opportunity. each brick can be purchased for a minimum donation of $10 to Angel Covers and will completely change a life.
Paying for Angel Cottage has to be a top priority. 36 children are currently crammed in 2 rooms and Beatrice knows of at least another 20 who need a home. The day the new Angel Cottage opens, at least 56 children will move in. we will soon be sending out a newsletter telling you how you can help this exceptional cause.
Today we will organize all of the supplies we bought and go to the Dagoretti school, where we have started chicken and cow projects.
Please spread the word to everyone you know. Your efforts are changing lives!
Kari
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday in Kenya
Ok, so today is actually Wednesday here, but I thought I'd write about yesterday mostly. First I'll say I'm sorry for not posting pictures. I've been lucky to be able to post a blog at all given how slow the Internet is, and pictures have been impossible. I'll keep trying though. Promise!
Yesterday was wonderful. After exchanging money, we shopped for all of the food for the staff appreciation party. And what a fun party that was. Way too much food was made, and of course we just had to eat it all. The staff of Humble Hearts are all wonderful. They love the kids and they love their jobs, despite the fact that they are under paid and working in less that optimal conditions. We give them gifts of hand made wooden pens and they couldn't have loved them more. Everyone was so grateful and I was quick to tell them that without all of them working hard for the kids, the school would be nothing. The evening ended well after dark after lots of singing and dancing. It couldn't have been more perfect.
Today we will be buying textbooks for the school (we ran out of time yesterday), visiting the Angel Cottage construction, and sorting through all of the school supplies we brought. I walked around HH yesterday and realized how much things have changed in the past 2 years since I was last here. The water tank purchased 2 years ago is invaluable. The garden planted by a wonderful group from Oregon make everything look so fresh, and the concrete on the floors of some of the classrooms make it possible for the children to learn without sinking into the mud.
There is still lots of work to do though. 7 1/2 classrooms still need concrete on the floors, roofs need to be fixed, and there are never enough textbooks, desks, or supplies. Please spread the word as much as you can about these great kids, staff, and needs. Everyone who talks about this school to others is helping is a huge way. Once again these children have stolen our hearts and I hope they will steal yours too.
Kari
-------
Yesterday was wonderful. After exchanging money, we shopped for all of the food for the staff appreciation party. And what a fun party that was. Way too much food was made, and of course we just had to eat it all. The staff of Humble Hearts are all wonderful. They love the kids and they love their jobs, despite the fact that they are under paid and working in less that optimal conditions. We give them gifts of hand made wooden pens and they couldn't have loved them more. Everyone was so grateful and I was quick to tell them that without all of them working hard for the kids, the school would be nothing. The evening ended well after dark after lots of singing and dancing. It couldn't have been more perfect.
Today we will be buying textbooks for the school (we ran out of time yesterday), visiting the Angel Cottage construction, and sorting through all of the school supplies we brought. I walked around HH yesterday and realized how much things have changed in the past 2 years since I was last here. The water tank purchased 2 years ago is invaluable. The garden planted by a wonderful group from Oregon make everything look so fresh, and the concrete on the floors of some of the classrooms make it possible for the children to learn without sinking into the mud.
There is still lots of work to do though. 7 1/2 classrooms still need concrete on the floors, roofs need to be fixed, and there are never enough textbooks, desks, or supplies. Please spread the word as much as you can about these great kids, staff, and needs. Everyone who talks about this school to others is helping is a huge way. Once again these children have stolen our hearts and I hope they will steal yours too.
Kari
-------
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
First Day in Kenya
Justin and I arrived last night in Kenya after 24 hours of traveling. To say we are tired would be a huge understatement, but we are thrilled to be here. Every time I come I'm always shocked at how poor the school is. We were only at Humble Hearts for a few minute, but the need is just overwhelming. We will be shopping for new textbooks and food for a staff appreciation party tonight. I will post more as I can, but know that everyone you are doing to support this school is making a difference for these kids. They have so little and everything you do for them changes their lives completely.
Kari
-------
Kari
-------
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Kenya
In less than 4 days I leave for Kenya. The list of things to do is almost as long as the flights I will be on and the time change is difficult to get used to. But, every time I have the privilege to go, all I can think about are the beautiful faces of the kids and how honored I am to get to see them again.
This year my 13 year old son is coming with me. He's packed lots of toys, backpacks, school supplies, and hundreds of other items. He's excited to meet everyone I've been talking about for years, to buy new toys, and missing a few days of school isn't so bad either. But, Justin is going as a representative of Angel Covers. He will be learning how we monitor programs, assess needs, and listen to kids and adults tell us what works in their culture. 
Seeing the country and schools through his eyes is one of the things I'm looking forward to the most. I will be posting blogs and pictures as much as I can, and so will Justin. We have started a blog just for him. http://www.angelcoverskids.blogspot.com/ Please pass along this blog address to anyone you think would be interested in reading his stories and hearing about his experiences. This is a great opportunity to get your kids involved and interested in the needs of children in Kenya.
Join us on this exciting journey. You helped make it possible.
-------
Monday, August 11, 2008
Maps
Angel Covers has been offered a wonderful opportunity. Beautiful maps of China are available and for each one purchased, Angel Covers will receive 50% of the proceeds.
These maps are a 24” x 36” poster with provinces and selected place names labeled in Chinese Characters (Hanzi), Chinese pinyin (romanized spellings) and the English translation of the meaning of the place name. The maps include a chart of over 100 commonly used characters/words found in Chinese place names. The poster is $15 plus $5 shipping. 
Please consider ordering one of these by going to http://www.familyscholartree.com/parents.html They make a beautiful gift, poster for a child's bedroom or classroom, or just a great addition to your home. You will be supporting children around the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
