Soar Kenya

It is my hope summer is taking you well. I’m doing fine over here. Working hard to improve whatever I can in a small way.

I take this opportunity to inform you of what I have been up to recently.

My choir participated in the recently ended Kenya Music and Cultural Festivals that were held in the coastal town of Mombasa . Most of the events took place in the Agha Khan Hall, a few meters away from Indian Ocean . It was a nice experience. We won in most of the classes that we took part in. We came in the 2^nd position in two classes and 3^rd position in one class. It was a good overall performance. I had the chance to experience art in its best form. I saw exceptionally talented young people doing extraordinary things. I loved it and wished that I could enjoy more of that beautiful Godly endowment.  But it all ended so fast. And I suffered some beautiful sunburns J

My holiday is coming to and end. This is the last week I have out of school. Freshmen start reporting and doing their registration this week. Their orientation will be carried out this week too. Next week, starting Monday the 24^th day of August, we report back and learning starts as from Wednesday the 26^th. The first semester of each academic year is always a busy one. It is one semester that one has to be keen enough so as not to be bypassed by the wave of many events. It is usually tricky as such because most people come from a world of no lectures and straight to the lecture rooms after a long holiday.

 I am reporting, hopefully, as a third year student. What an excitement this is. I can’t believe it has been two years of study already.  And all this has been made possible by God and SOAR-KENYA. I’m grateful to this great group of philanthropic, kind and affectionate people. You all go more than that extra mile to make a positive difference in people’s lives. A positive difference even when there is so little towards positivity. Being able to get through my first two years of university is something I take with great humility.  Mary Hoffman, I have great respect and love and admiration for you and Don (he is a great man- tell him I said so). You are such a congenial and sociable person. I am yet to meet a person of your great candor and love. I have learnt many virtues from you and I continue to do so to this day. From you I have learnt that problems that affect others affect me as an individual and therefore I’m concerned, because problems are transboundary! I have learnt the importance of empathy and compassion from you. Before this, I only thought of it as a biblical concept not applicable in the modern world. I may not have the proper words to express this, but I want you to know that I am and will always be indebted to you in a big way.. And I hope you’ll one day be able to tell me how I could try and pay a tiny fraction of it, because paying it in full is inconceivable. May God bless you and your family; and may He protect you from all evils.

Ruth, I know that you put a lot of your resources in making things as they are in SOAR-KENYA. Your composed, gracious nature is admirable. Your strength of mind and fortitude to accomplish what lay ahead of you is to any keen person. Your love for what is good and your desire to make things better for others is a rare virtue. I learnt a lot from you when you were here and you inspired me in a way to be a better person. I appreciate all this with the utmost sincerity. May God bless you. Pass my regards to sir Steve.

I know that there are countless individuals who in their own ways contribute towards financing my studies (and indeed of my other friends and alleviating suffering of my fellow citizens) through SOAR-KENYA. I cannot forget your immense love, sacrifices and bigheartedness of another higher order that you continue to employ each day in support of SOAR-KENYA. As a beneficiary of your benevolence and philanthropy, I am full of gratitude and humbled by your kind deeds. May all of you find joy and inner peace in your lives. Be blessed abundantly.

Hi our first Soar-Kenya art booth at Waunafest was not a huge financial success but made some connections with people. That was the ultimite goal, was exposure. Thanks to Jame H. and Lynn  V., Marlene P. for their help is selling items and set up and take down. The event raised over 300.00 dollars and 100.00 for Pat’s project. Pat’s project is the kotex pad project for the girls of Kenya. 5.00 buys a package of pads and 4 pair of underpants for one girl for one year. Donations for this important project can be sent to Soar or made right now by paypal. Pat works along with the Heart foundation, Rotary and the Lion’s club to make this a very workable project. Pat started out supplying the girls at Hopewell Highschool and Barut primary. I believe the project is now supplying the girls in over 24 schools. It is so needed and worthwhile. I personally would like to see it expand to where the girls Mothers are also given a package. This will be one of the projects supported by our banquet. I’m hoping to write Pat a check for at least 1000.00. Think about it–5.00 for one girl for one year ,you can’t get a better deal then that!! Please help keep the girls in school.

Soar-Kenya gave a 300.00 donation to Father Paul. Father worked for the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers for 48 years. Early in 2008 he petitioned Rome for a dispensation from his perpetual oath to the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers and for incardination into the Diocese of Shinyanga where he had worked for 48 years. This is wonderful as he will be able to carry on his work until his death in the area he has grown to love. Father Fagan can use help as his projects are many. He is working endlessly to build roads, and dormitories and fund education beyond the school he runs to college, etc. He no longer has the security of the Maryknolls but is on his own to provide for the many needs  his St. Peter’s parish has.  His only support is now what people are able to give him. I know its in Tanzania and I know its very important work. He has spent time talking with Don the last two years personally about our projects and how he is implementing his projects and we felt a little support from Soar-Kenya would be appreciated.     He was most grateful. Thanks to all of you for helping. You can indicate to me with a donation if you would like to help him more. He is working daily to implement the same goals we are trying to meet.

Soar-Kenya had a beautiful day to host a picnic. First of all a huge thankyou to Lois Schuren who welcomed us to her beautiful home and yard to host the event. We had a good turn out of interested people. Mason Disrude , a young man that has just returned this past June from spending over 5 months working on projects at Hopewell Highschool brought along his photos. He has over 5000 so we didn’t get to enjoy them all, but his stories of his trip and wonderful photos of scuba diving and safari were great to see. Mason did so much to implement the many projects being worked on at Hopewell.  His hard work helped get many projects completed. We look forward to more stories of his travels in the future.   Phil Klamm of WTW also came and updated everyone on the International Village his group is building in Kenya, near the Hopewell School.  He is  working on geting his next group of volunteer tourists booking their trips for 2010. It would be an excellent and affordable way to go with a group, for a huge variety of experiences. Please look up Wrestling the World’s website for more information concerning that. This was not a fund raiser, rather an informal lunch shared to talk about the projects being worked on in Kenya. We hope to have a successful fundraiser in Nov. with the annual banquet and buffet and be ready to implement some of the great ideas shared on Sat.