Soar Kenya

I am always so pleased to report that Soar-Kenya had a very good year considering the downturn in our own economy. I would like to thank every contributor, whether it was a task you did or money you handed out, it is really appreciated. I will give a more detailed account but this is a quick snapshot of the year and where it was given out. Donations totalled 20,331.00.
Hopewell Highschool received the most with 13,050.00. The money went for such things as fencing,land purchase, new simple kitchen,seeds, supplies,uniforms,electric bill,electric post,landscaping the library,trees,field trip to University,new sleeping pads for the preschool,continueing education of our 4 college students.
3500.00 went to Childrens Charity Center in Homa Bay. The money used for ,digging a well,hospital bill for child with aides,food,seed,ducks,Christmas party for the orphans.
900.00 went to Pauline from Barut Primary. Pauline has a feeding program at the school. She attempts to feed the very poorest students with this money.
Burgeii Environmental group-1610.00 sent for membership into their group,fencing,trees purchased,4 water tanks, food for a Christmas party of Community groups.
other
500.00- Vaccines for TB and refrigerator for storing them at the dispensary
300.00 Continueing education
100.00 school fees
400.00 Robert for planting and caring for trees
400.00 Alfred -director of Hanford high for his management class and seed money

Alice K. Shee: Thanks

Today at 8:21am
Where did the year go? Suddenly it is December……again – and we realize that with giant strides we started in January and within a blink of an eye, 2009 is on its back!

A big “Thank You” to you, for the huge impact you had on my life this year. Especially for all the support I received…….without you, I’m sure that 2009would have been extremely boring.

From my side I wish you a magical Festive Season filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.

May 2010mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love, Happiness and Bright Futures.

And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love

To those who need money, may your finances overflow

To those who need caring, may you find a good heart

To those who need friends, may you meet lovely people

To those who need life, may you find GOD

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

THANKS FOR BEING THER E

FOR ME IN ALL AVENUES OF

MY LIFE

YOU HAVE HELPED IN MY GROWTH

“You can dream,create,design and build the most wonderful place in the world….but it requires people to make the dreams a reality.”

Hello Mary, Jeremy and Don,

Several days ago I received mail from home (Salem, OR) and found your note which had included the $300 check. Earlier when I was told via email it had come and been deposited by the person who tends my home bank account, and I had already spent the money to help with the mattresses, I notified Ruth of such, but didn’t have your names or addresses. I certainly appreciate her interest and help as well.. So, here I am sending a big thank you for your thoughtfulness. Through Ruth I have been aware of your good works with Soar-Kenya, Inc. and have enjoyed learning about your activities. Keep up the good works; it means so much to those who benefit as you know.

To up-date you; Along with your donation, I added much more and we are now in the process of making 70 mattresses for our Montesorri nursery children. The mattresses that you can buy here are the typical ones of sponge with a cloth covering. It is impossible to keep them clean and the fabric gets torn easily. Our mattresses were so bad and dirty I couldn’t stand even thinking of the children sleeping on them, so tried to get funding, which I was able to do. We have a parish Self-Reliance vocational program that teaches industrial sewing and three tailoring/dressmaking classes (for which I am in charge), so we put the two groups together to make the covers for the mattresses. We were able to purchase at a discount a fabric that is washable and durable.

With the whole month of December being a holiday month here in Kenya no one is working now, but will get busy come January 5th when schools open. At that time I will take some photos of them making the covers and finishing the mattresses and later our little ones having a peaceful nap!

The last day of August I had a very bad fall and fractured my shoulder and am finally able to go back into Kibera to work with my 8 schools and community library for the past month, which sure makes me happy! I didn’t like being housebound but had no choice until the bones started to mend. I still have very limited use of my shoulder but enough to shift my car to drive and type. I hope to start PT soon and get more range of motion. Because of my injury it took longer to get this project going. It is now a priority to get finished.

Again, many thanks for your generous contribution and thoughtfulness. Enjoy a blessed Christmas and abundant New Year! Don’t give up on photos, I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

God’s Blessings,

Vikki Smith, MLM

Alfred is the director of Hanford High. I found out about this school through Darleen Johnson who heads HOPE out in California. Soar has only donated 300.00 toward seed so these young people could get their crops planted. What most impressed me is that these people are truely working to make a better life by doing hands on work to make their situations better. They also have shown how they help their fellow neighbors, by fixing houses up and assisting with food. Alfred has his hands full attempting to feed and educate 600 orphans. He sounds like he is doing a good job. He also is continuing to learn more by taking a course on management. Below is his thankyou. and I’m happy the money arrived in time so he didn’t get kicked out. Mary

Dear Mary,
First I wish to acknowledge the receipt of $ 100 you sent me today.I want to thank you very much for it and may God bless you and Soar Kenya at large.It came at a time when I was almost being kicked out of examination room.You’ve saved me alot! I am glad…and will not forget about your help!
I am an old student of Hopewell High.I graduated in 2004(I was among the first students to graduate from this school) Also,I doubled as the prefect in charge of Hanford house which was named in honor of Darleen Johnson.I loved everything about Hanford house so when I completed high school,I started a similar school and named it ‘Hanford High School’.It now caters for over 600 orphans and I’ve had two classes graduated
I visit your web site almost daily and I am happy with what soar Kenya is doing.As I wish you success in everything you do,I want to fully permit you to post anything from my end in the site.
I also wish you a merry xmas and a prosperous new year.May God bless you and the entire staff of Soar Kenya.

Alfred

I received the following letter today and it brought me great Hope. I had just written a friend this AM and said Soar-Kenya is going to fold if we can’t find a way to generate more money. It gets more difficult everyday to even ask for money, when so many people here are really feeling a pinch themselves. We all have so much but with that comes a lot of responsibilities to maintain it all . I came home from work to this letter from my cousins daughter. I remember when she was born and I thought what a cool name. Tonight it seems a little beyond heavenly. Celeste just sponsored a little girl . It certainly makes me feel good to know people out of state have been following Soar-Kenya and reach out to help. I will try to get information and pictures about the little girl. I want to thankyou so much for thinking of us. The needs are just so great there and this will help so much. Thankyou Celeste and Scott, I can now feel the Christmas spirit.
Following is Celeste’s letter.
Dear Mary,
This is your cousin Judy’s daughter, Celeste. We have been considering sponsoring a child from Kenya and after a lot of prayer, talk and reading things from the soar kenya web site and mom’s emails, we have decided there is no other choice but to do it.
My oldest daughters, Emma and Abigail, would very much like to sponsor Faith Chepkoech age 7. I am sending you a check for $200.00 today. I understand that for any number of reasons Faith may not still be up for sponsorship and I also understand what you were saying in your last email to my mom about putting the money towards all rather than just for one child. However the money will best be used, we trust you will put it for that. It is good for our girls to see the reality of a real girl that needs help, which is why I let them look at the children on soar kenya. It is enough for me and Scott to know that we can help in some way to better the life of even one child.
Thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but thank you for all you do.
With love, Celeste

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what a great party!!!!!!!! hello our friends we hope that all is good with you there in America.
We are even running short of words to express how the party was.We had fun and everybody left demanding more of it.People came from diffrent tribes and areas within the entire village.Ages ranged from the suckling to the old from both sexes. We had almost ten dogs who were not left either and had thier share of the meal.In total, we had 204 people whom we could register and over 100 chidren.We had some candies for them. The area councillor- I think can be compared to governor in the U.S- was among the in-attendance and was very delighted to be in the party. The progress report of the three self help groups was given by each of the groups’ leaders.The guy was soo impressed that he pomised each of the groups some money(Burgei 3000kshs, Nicos 6,500kshs, Sholas 5,000 kshs.) to help them moving.He thanked the American team for being good and more thanked Mason and the rest for helping a local dispensary purchase a fridge.Yesterday was also a public holiday in Kenya to celebrate 46 years since Kenya became a republic.Due to this,the area chief did not attend as he had a baraza elsewhere but sent his apologies.
The pick of entertainment was from an upcoming singer who brought everybody into laughter with his sarcastic moves.Those who stood to speak also were humours so to speak from the youth to the old. In all,It was a party of its kind.
we had a session of knowing each other which was meant to harmonise the differnent ethnic communities.Some representatives were given opportunities to say on how to live together as one.Each one gave an idea of having the same kind of party often at different places.
Let us not write more on this but you will recieve the pictures we took tomorrow and also give you the breakdown of all the expenses.May God bless you and recieve much greetings from all who atteended it.hopping to hear fom you.

James and Josphat.

“Can’t find the proper words to express our joy at the H.J.A, got enough sleeping pads now.An early x-mas gift for us,long live Soar-Kenya.”Marium

Hi Mary,
I was able to chat with James today about the party that they had today. Due to James’ sense of transparency, I think that we are likely to get a breakdown of the party expenses–and I know that he has taken care of the “non-party” money as I had asked.

There were over 300 people that attended the party–over 200 adults and over 100 children. . .everyone had food and there were other activities. James, Josphat, Nico (leaders of the community groups that prepared the food, etc.) and a few other people spoke. A district bigwig (can’t remember his title) spoke and promised money to the groups–perhaps James will write tell us more in his email. He ( the bigwig guy!!!) was quite impressed with the groups and what they are doing for the community/how they are getting help and giving back.

The party was at a woman named Jane’s house–apparently she had enough room, etc. What a fine woman to offer this.

When I chatted with James on Facebook today, he seemed quite pleased!

It sounds like it was a good thing and, although this may not be money that will bring huge change, it does bring people together to celebrate the good in their lives. Plus, we know exactly where the money is going! I am hoping that by seeing what a community group can do, perhaps more will start. That would be good, I think. When these people get together, they can do much more than they can by themselves. So far, it seems as though James’ group has been a great model–moreover, they have been very helpful to other groups. I am so proud of how they have helped Nico’s group–and then, also of the things that Nico’s group has accomplished (they are an even younger group than James group).

People who came to this party were from all tribes. . .which is an awesome thing too. I think that Kenyans do not want to ever experience anything even remotely like the post-election violence again; I think that this is another way to bring these people together. . .they are ALL such wonderful people.

In my opinion, this was a good thing. . .I hope that you and SOAR-Kenya agree. . .I am sending a copy of this email to James, Josphat and Nico. I want them to know what some Americans are saying about them!!!! I am so proud of them and the things that they are doing. . .and all of the members of their groups; I know that this took a LOT of work.

I hope that you are happy that you made the decision to donate money from SOAR-Kenya for this endeavor…I know that there are at least 300 Kenyans that went to bed with a great sense of community and pride tonight!!!! I also know that they were quite grateful–we have shown a smaller group of Kenyans that there are Americans who live up to their word, and this is of importance too.

Good things happened in Kenya today and we helped a bit!!!!

Jo Anne

I wrote to Harrison the director a note on Dec. 9th-here is his response. I am very happy at what all has been acomplished with the money Soar-kenya has sent. I will post the photos as soon as I am able to.

Dear Harrison, I was wondering how Irene,you and the children are? Has the well kept up with your water needs? Were the workers all paid? Were you able to do anything on the pit latrine or more on the houses?Let us know how things are going. We wish you a very blessed Christmas Season. Mary and Don and supporters of Soar-Kenya

Dear Mary,
Its so good to hear from you.Our computer is not working.Irene and I are in Kisumu right now for a training on child care sponsered by AMREF.It has been wonderful and we will be leaving on Monday.

The work was completed wonderfully.We even remained with Ksh.7,321 which we used to buy maize.The pit latrine was completed and the water well was cemented and fenced.All the workers paid.

We sent photos which we thought you could have received by now.Please check the post and let us know.They look so nice with the children drawing water for cooking,drinking and bathing.The pit latrine painted with nice colours.

In the mail post office you will also find letters of thank you from the children to you,Don and SK sponsors.Thanks so much Mary.We do not have a computer at home please reply on this before we go on monday.Blessed X-mass season.

With blessings
Irene and Harrison