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Expanding Opportunities November 2006 Newsletter http://www.exop.org - info@expandingopportunities.org |
Table of Contents
Hi everyone,Expanding Opportunities thanks Ginger Wilson who has volunteered to write the newsletters.
Ginger has been a volunteer for Expanding Opportunities for several years. She is always ready help, to do what is needed and is willing to pick up a project and see it to completion. She traveled to Kenya this year and plans to return in 2007. She is working with Kipila to organize the Maasai Community Health Project and collect the Comfort Kits. We are grateful for her dedication and many hours of service.
Artisan Support
The Aina Moja Shop
The earring display at the Aina Moja Shop
ARTISAN SUPPORT
We have just received new merchandise from Kenya. We are busy tagging, checking inventory and displaying the new merchandise at the Aina Moja Shop in the Working Art Gallery Building on Main Street in Belfast, at the Summer House Cafe on Route 1 south in Belfast, and on the web at :We have many new and unique one-of-a-kind items.
Remember, the profits from our sales supports marginalized artisans and raises money we need to support our projects. So, keep us in mind when shopping for gifts for those special people in your lives.
It has been a very busy Craft Fair season. Several volunteers helped. This allowed us to attend many more fairs than in the past. Craft Fairs not only give us the opportunity to display and sell the merchandise but to educate the community about the organization and the projects.
The most recent Fair, a Silver Tea in Massachusetts at the Trinity Parish, became the single largest selling ever for the Artisan Support Project! Thank you to Trinity Parish and the community of Lenox, Massachusetts.
The Aina Moja Shop
The earring display at the Aina Moja Shop
We have just received new merchandise from Kenya. We are busy tagging, checking inventory and displaying the new merchandise at the Aina Moja Shop in the Working Art Gallery Building on Main Street in Belfast, at the Summer House Cafe on Route 1 south in Belfast, and on the web at :
Remember, the profits from our sales supports marginalized artisans and raises money we need to support our projects. So, keep us in mind when shopping for gifts for those special people in your lives.
It has been a very busy Craft Fair season. Several volunteers helped. This allowed us to attend many more fairs than in the past. Craft Fairs not only give us the opportunity to display and sell the merchandise but to educate the community about the organization and the projects.
The most recent Fair, a Silver Tea in Massachusetts at the Trinity Parish, became the single largest selling ever for the Artisan Support Project! Thank you to Trinity Parish and the community of Lenox, Massachusetts.
Spreading the Word
Bev, Ginger, Adam and others have been busy spreading the word about Expanding Opportunities and the many projects that are part of the organization.
Bev spoke in a middle school in Florida, a church in Maine, and at the Silver Tea in Massachusetts. All types of venues spread the word about Expanding Opportunities and our projects. In December, she is traveling to Chicago with hopes to meet with Barack Obama and discuss the Distance Learning Center Project. At the same time she will travel to visit the Sanders in Ohio. She, Catherine and Karanja will have an opportunity to speak at a church pot luck in Fairfield Ohio.
Ginger recently spent the day at a school in Sydney during a World Culture day. The focus was on different races and how they lived. This was an answer to a recent upswing of racial incidents at the school. Ginger told stories, talked of her experiences in Kenya and shared about the different customs and languages of the many peoples of Kenya.
Next month Ginger will be speaking at 3 schools in the Belfast area along with Karanja. He will entertain the children (and adults) with native Kenyan stories and folk tales. They both will be speaking about the many different customs and cultures in Kenya and their experiences visiting and living in Kenya.
Bev, Ginger, Adam and others have been busy spreading the word about Expanding Opportunities and the many projects that are part of the organization.
Bev spoke in a middle school in Florida, a church in Maine, and at the Silver Tea in Massachusetts. All types of venues spread the word about Expanding Opportunities and our projects. In December, she is traveling to Chicago with hopes to meet with Barack Obama and discuss the Distance Learning Center Project. At the same time she will travel to visit the Sanders in Ohio. She, Catherine and Karanja will have an opportunity to speak at a church pot luck in Fairfield Ohio.
Ginger recently spent the day at a school in Sydney during a World Culture day. The focus was on different races and how they lived. This was an answer to a recent upswing of racial incidents at the school. Ginger told stories, talked of her experiences in Kenya and shared about the different customs and languages of the many peoples of Kenya.
Next month Ginger will be speaking at 3 schools in the Belfast area along with Karanja. He will entertain the children (and adults) with native Kenyan stories and folk tales. They both will be speaking about the many different customs and cultures in Kenya and their experiences visiting and living in Kenya.
Joseph Waweru Home School
A Mangu Primary School Classroom
Mwangi wrote that the boys have improved a great deal at school.
Kamau, Collins and Vincent took their KCPE ( Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) exams. Soon the results will be available. Collins has been reunited with his mother and now lives in Litein, Kenya. The exam results determine if Kamau and Vincent will go on to vocational education or high school.
Samwel is once again first in his level and is far ahead of everyone. He can't be beat!
John went from 45th in a class of 65 students to 5th! We knew you had it, John!
Kiplangat is 9th in a class of 70 students. You have come a LONG WAY!
Brian in his Nursery School Uniform
Paul is 12th in a class of 65 students. Paul is a hard worker and serious student.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BOYS FOR WORKING SO HARD!!!
WAY TO GO GUYS!
Mwangi has reported that the headmaster is so pleased by the boys' improvement, they have been given extra time off from their studies over the holiday break.
A very special thank you goes to Mwangi who spends every night tutoring the boys and helping them with their home studies. Their improvement shows what honest caring does for children who have not had much positive attention.
Thank you so very much David Mwangi for caring.
I have heard that little Brian is quite a handful. He has gone from an undernourished quiet child to a very active little boy. He is running circles around everyone. Mama and Pastor have put him in nursery school. He loves school and they tell us he is quite smart.
A Mangu Primary School Classroom
Mwangi wrote that the boys have improved a great deal at school.
Kamau, Collins and Vincent took their KCPE ( Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) exams. Soon the results will be available. Collins has been reunited with his mother and now lives in Litein, Kenya. The exam results determine if Kamau and Vincent will go on to vocational education or high school.
Samwel is once again first in his level and is far ahead of everyone. He can't be beat!
John went from 45th in a class of 65 students to 5th! We knew you had it, John!
Kiplangat is 9th in a class of 70 students. You have come a LONG WAY!
Brian in his Nursery School Uniform
Paul is 12th in a class of 65 students. Paul is a hard worker and serious student.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BOYS FOR WORKING SO HARD!!!
WAY TO GO GUYS!
Mwangi has reported that the headmaster is so pleased by the boys' improvement, they have been given extra time off from their studies over the holiday break.
A very special thank you goes to Mwangi who spends every night tutoring the boys and helping them with their home studies. Their improvement shows what honest caring does for children who have not had much positive attention.
Thank you so very much David Mwangi for caring.
I have heard that little Brian is quite a handful. He has gone from an undernourished quiet child to a very active little boy. He is running circles around everyone. Mama and Pastor have put him in nursery school. He loves school and they tell us he is quite smart.
Feeding Program
Sammy distributes food and clothing in Kericho
Sammy Waithaka has been working hard at helping the Street Children in Kericho in our feeding program. He implemented an idea to help the boys. He utilized some of the food money to rent carts for the boys so they can transport goods for people. In this way they will provide for themselves.
In a recent email to us he asked that we try to raise the money to buy these vending carts so the boys could keep more of the money to support themselves. The cost of the carts is 1,600 /= shillings (@ $25.00 US dollars).
Congratulations to Sammy for helping the boys help themselves.
He also attempts to locate and visit the families of the displaced children living on the streets and tries to reunite them. He has been successful with two boys. Reuniting even 1 child with their famiily is worth the work!!
Sammy has also visited our eldest Joseph Waweru Home School leaver, Emmanuel, in his new home and has assured us that Emmanuel is happy.
Sammy is working hard on behalf of Expanding Opportunities and the community of Kericho. He shows caring and commitment in everything he does. We are proud that Sammy is part of Expanding Opportunities' outreach program.
Sammy distributes food and clothing in Kericho
Sammy Waithaka has been working hard at helping the Street Children in Kericho in our feeding program. He implemented an idea to help the boys. He utilized some of the food money to rent carts for the boys so they can transport goods for people. In this way they will provide for themselves.
In a recent email to us he asked that we try to raise the money to buy these vending carts so the boys could keep more of the money to support themselves. The cost of the carts is 1,600 /= shillings (@ $25.00 US dollars).
Congratulations to Sammy for helping the boys help themselves.
He also attempts to locate and visit the families of the displaced children living on the streets and tries to reunite them. He has been successful with two boys. Reuniting even 1 child with their famiily is worth the work!!
Sammy has also visited our eldest Joseph Waweru Home School leaver, Emmanuel, in his new home and has assured us that Emmanuel is happy.
Sammy is working hard on behalf of Expanding Opportunities and the community of Kericho. He shows caring and commitment in everything he does. We are proud that Sammy is part of Expanding Opportunities' outreach program.
Job
Job and Mwangi at Job's home
Job is progressing well. He has completed his Tuberculosis medicine. His progress is so good that he does not have to go to the hospital until January! That is a 3 month break!
He is aware of the food he needs to eat and what he needs to stay away from. He has learned a great deal about his disease and how to care for it. As Coca Cola is not on his diet list, he is allowed one as a special treat each month when Mwangi visits with the monthly staple foods. Thanks to Mwangi for assuring that Job has what he needs.
Job is anxiously awaiting our arrival with smiles.
Thank you for giving life and hope toJob!
Job and Mwangi at Job's home
Job is progressing well. He has completed his Tuberculosis medicine. His progress is so good that he does not have to go to the hospital until January! That is a 3 month break!
He is aware of the food he needs to eat and what he needs to stay away from. He has learned a great deal about his disease and how to care for it. As Coca Cola is not on his diet list, he is allowed one as a special treat each month when Mwangi visits with the monthly staple foods. Thanks to Mwangi for assuring that Job has what he needs.
Job is anxiously awaiting our arrival with smiles.
Thank you for giving life and hope toJob!
Wish List
A Few Christmas Wishes:
A Few Christmas Wishes:
- NEW CHILDREN: The construction has progressed to the point where we are able to house up to 16 children. Our wish is for people who would support a child for at least one year.
- BUILDING: Our wish is to FINISH the kitchen and dining areas and furnish it with durable kitchen utensils.
- VEHICLE: Our wish is to have a truck for transportation for goods, the boys, and visitors. The Mini is small, and ready to retire.
- DISTANCE LEARNING CENTER: Our wish is to move forward with the establishment of the Distance Learning Center(s). Education is power.
Other
- Karanja in excelling in Ohio. He tells us that he did
well on his mid terms (all A's). After a small adjustment period he has
thrived at the Sanders. He will be visiting Maine for 1 week just before
Christmas. He is excited about his first Christmas in the U.S.
- Ginger is still collecting comfort kits for the Maasai Community Outreach
project. She will be collecting until Jan 1st. Then she will begin collecting
medicines for the clinic in Mangu.
- There is still time to join us on a Service Journey. Take a look at www.exop.org and click on the Service Journey link.
Comments
COMMENTS : We would like to hear what you have to say.
Please use comments@expandingopportunities.org to suggest or comment on issues.
Peter Misango in Kenya sent this comment.
"I am very grateful individually and on behalf of all other Kenyans for your efforts to improve the living standards of the less fortunate members of our society. I am very proud to be associated with you and would like to be always informed of your progress. Third world countries have to be assisted to come out of poverty and improve their people's living standards.
Thanks once again and may God bless you abundantly."
Jean English sent:
"Thanks for sending the wonderful EO newsletter, Bev and Ginger. It's so inspirational!"
Thank you for the wonderful comments. They are our food for encouragement.Subscription
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Thank you for your continued support.
- Karanja in excelling in Ohio. He tells us that he did
well on his mid terms (all A's). After a small adjustment period he has
thrived at the Sanders. He will be visiting Maine for 1 week just before
Christmas. He is excited about his first Christmas in the U.S.