Newsletter

	Keeping Order as the Numbers Soar In every family there is conflict and disorganization; it is how a family deals with those issues that determines the quality of a family. When it comes to family of 16 boys, parenting becomes a challenge, to say the least, and more responsibility falls on the boys to keep order in the household. As Kenyan schools closed for their end of the year break, and the usual chaos of a full household ensued, the boys stepped up to the plate marvelously, calling a family meeting one night to discuss areas of improvement on the compound. In the course of the meeting the older boys requested that they be paired with a younger boy in order to teach the youngsters how to wash their clothes properly. It did not seem to bother them that they were requesting more work; they simply saw it as their responsibility as older brothers. It was exquisite proof of the kinship these boys feel for one another and their gratitude at being able to call such a loving environment their home. It was also decided during the meeting that the boys were in need of new clothes, so a few days later the whole family piled into the home’s new van and drove into town. The older brothers took their paired younger brothers around and helped them find clothes and haggle prices. Everyone came back bubbling with joy over his new purchases and paraded them around the house with pride.
	Giving Thanks in Mangu Although traditionally an American celebration, the boys of the Joseph Waweru Home School (JWHS) had the opportunity to get a little taste of Thanksgiving this past November. Turkey was pricey so the boys cooked chicken, and squash pie had to be substituted for pumpkin pie, but there were mashed potatoes, gravy, bread rolls, and roasted maize, and it was certainly a feast. At dinner the boys heard an explanation of Thanksgiving and then gave personal thanks for something in their lives. Many acknowledged how lucky they are to live in the JWHS home.
	A Trek into Turkwell One project of Expanding Opportunities is a feeding program which reaches out to street children and orphans all over Kenya. Whenever the funds are available food is purchased, packaged, and distributed in needy areas by members of Expanding Opportunities and the boys of JWHS. This past November the organization was able to bring food up North to Turkana, a land stricken with drought and hunger. The night before the trip, the JWHS boys worked diligently into the evening, filling bags with beans, maze, porridge flour, soap, and biscuits. As the boys fervently packed the room was filled with an atmosphere of empowerment from the knowledge these boys had that they were in a position to help, that they could give something to the less fortunate. The journey was a bumpy one, on roads that were more pothole than pavement, but it took the van only one long day of travel to reach the arid desert of the Turkana. The following day the local pastor helped to identify all the orphans in one Pokot and one Turkana community so that the food could be given to them directly. In the second village Gideon (Food Service Manager of JWHS), who grew up in the Turkana area, spoke passionately to the village about the importance of education. He proved by his very being that education can take a person far in life. It is of infinite value for these people to see the products of their own success stories. Too often the young people who make it to college and get jobs disappear into the world and their villages never hear from them again. To have their own children return and help them is exactly the motivation they need.
	The Man Who Made Your Sugar Dish The Aina Moja branch of Expanding Opportunities buys African arts and crafts directly from the manufacturer and sells them in the U.S. in order to increase business for the vendor and offer unique findings to Americans. On the journey to Turkana, a glowing prospect stuck his hand right into the window of the van, swinging wooden sugar dishes, engraved with intricate designs that he and his partners had just produced on the side of the road. They were Pokot men and upon further investigation it turned out that they made not only sugar dishes, but a whole assortment of incredible woodwork, ranging from flutes to bows and arrows. The object of Expanding Opportunities was explained to the men, and prices were agreed upon for the many items purchased. Those items will be shipped back to the U.S. and will be available for purchase at www.ainamoja.com. With your support we hope to continue a partnership with the Pokot and many other artists for many years to come.
	Rabondo Packaged and delivered carefully from Rabondo (where Expanding Opportunities is working with Timon Bondo to develop a Distance Learning Center), came beautiful clay pots made with meticulous care by women of the village.
	The 17th member of the Home Most dogs in Kenya face rough living conditions and a bleak outlook. They do not receive their vaccinations or neutering and struggle to find food. JWHS is lucky enough to have a friendly, well-groomed dog named Mozart who guards the compound day and night. Mozart is a wonderful addition to the compound, but like any living being he needs to eat! For only $ 5.00/month YOU can sponsor Mozart and save him from the cruel fate of the streets. He needs your help!