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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

African Albinism

My goodness. This story is incredible.

Please take 60 seconds to click the link below and read this story,
you'll be amazed at the enlightenment and appreciation you come away with.
Think of it as your way of making a difference in the world today.



If you'd like to get in contact with Jami, (the American woman pictured in this story) leave a comment on this post. To donate to this cause, let me know by emailing me: samanthamayworkman@gmail.com, or visit koinsforkenya.org.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Some of my favorite pics from the trip:

Woman working in her shamba (garden)

Sunset over the Mwache River


View of the country surrounding our village
(the blue roof is the Koins for Kenya workshop)



Seriously. Who is that cute?!



Friday, October 1, 2010

When I want to complain about cooking...

If I asked a Kenyan woman what I need to do to prepare a meal, this is what she'd say:

"Cut the wood for the fire,


carry the wood home,

fetch the water a bucket at a time,

if you're luck enough to have meat, kill it (normally a woman's job. This boy is either very out of the ordinary, or just wanted a picture to be taken of him.),

cook,

cook,

cook.

And do it all with a baby on your back and a smile on your face!"
And I would reply, "what happened to picking up a rotisserie chicken at the store?!"
Watch the video on the previous post to see how they carry the huge piles of sticks on their head. Seriously impressive.

Kenyan Women Carrying Firewood (they're laughing because the big white man is tyring to help)

Monday, September 27, 2010

An African Memory, written by my mom


Two incredible school teachers, Mama Cindy and Mama Chisi

I love Kenya. I love everything about it, (including the smelly streets of Mombasa). But without a doubt, what I love most is the people. This trip was no different from the seven previous I've taken in that I'm always taken off guard by the awakening of my spirit when I'm with the people. There is such a mixture--gratitude for my life, gratitude for their examples, gratitude that our worlds are no longer separated; grateful that these people will forever be infused in my soul as much as anything else that is or has ever been a part of me.
I really like who I am in Kenya. I love feeling like I can make a difference. I love knowing that we, Koins for Kenya, have made a difference. This trip, the reality of that difference became manifest on more than one occasion. I loved watching the Americans I was with. Many of them, seasoned humanitarians, poured their passion for good into the lives of our African brothers and sisters. Without hesitation they took their hands, they held their babies, they taught their children. I honestly felt overwhelming joy to be a part of something so good. I was unaware still that I would soon need my dear friend, an African woman, to reach out and hold my hand, whipe my tears, and offer kind words of consolation.
One evening as our group was gathered beneath the moonlight reflecting on our experiences of the day and enjoying each others' company, we were interrupted with tragic news that a young boy had just passed away under the mango tree no more than 50 feet from where we were sitting. He and his uncle were trying to reach the dispensary in hopes of gaining access to medication that might save his life. They didn't make it.
His name was Charo.
He was 12 years old.
He had gone to school that day, despite his horrible headache, so that he wouldn't miss out on end-of-term testing. By the time he got home from school and his mother returned from working in the fields near their home, he was terribly ill. They had walked several miles to get help. As I became more aware of this child and his story, my emotions couldn't be contained. I was mourning the death of a child I didn't even know. Everything I love about Kenya was completely overshadowed by everything I hate about it: the lack of food, the inability to prevent very preventable diseases, the scarcity of medical services, the absence of clean water. The list goes on and on. And then a hand reached out and took my hand, an arm pulled me in, and there was a shoulder for me to cry on. My African friend without words, told me it would be OK, that she was there for me, and taught me again the importance of each of us doing what we can to lift the burdens of our brothers and sisters.

Mom, handing out pencils to the teachers at "Windridge, Kenya"

Mom with her kindred spirit, Mama Fatuma

Mom, painting the school that the 6th graders at Windridge Elementary built with their fundraising.






Cindy Workman

Isn't she so cool!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Interview with the Scholarship Coordinator


Nancy Littlefield became involved with Koins for Kenya in 2004. Her love of education, and particularly teenagers led to her area of work with the scholarship program in Mnyenzeni. As Scholarship Coordinator, Nancy tracks students who have been chosen to receive scholarship assistance at the secondary school, coordinates student/sponsor information, and raises funds to allow the scholarship program to succeed. Nancy, a homemaker and mother of three daughters and nine grandchildren, divides her time between Park City, Utah and Seattle, Washington.

I grew up with Nancy as my second mom. She has an enormous heart, and she really knows her stuff!
Here are some of her thoughts on the scholarship program:


"We are ALWAYS looking for sponsors for our students. Five years ago we started the program with one student being sponsored. It grew over the five years, and last year we sponsored 97 students at Mnyenzeni Secondary School. The tuition for one year is $ 300.00. It can be paid all together, or in installments. It can be paid by check to:

Koins for Kenya

252 North Preston Drive

Alpine, UT

84004

or by credit card online through the website. The families of these students cannot pay the tuition fees because many of them make only a little more than the tuition EVERY YEAR. Most families resort to choosing one child in a group of about 30 cousins who they think will do the best in school, and that child gets to go to secondary school. The future of Kenya [and the world as a whole] depends greatly on the ability of the children to be educated.


One trip to Costco would almost cover a year's tuition.


Report cards and letters from students are sent to the sponsors three times a year, at the end of each term, and letters from sponsors to students are often sent as well."


If you're interested in sponsoring a student, comment on this post or email me at samanthamayworkman@gmail.com.

You can also go to KoinsforKenya.org to get in contact with Nancy directly.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Won't you be my neighbor?

At Stake Conference today, Elder Holland quoted this great man.
It ignited a bit of curiosity and I came home and googled Mr. Rogers.
(Yes, google is the answer to all questions.)

A recent conversation reminded me that truth can be found everywhere,
if we are willing to receive it.
I often see truth in how people live their lives, I feel it in how people communicate their ideals.
Fred Rogers conveyed truth in both of those ways.

"When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed."

Do you agree?

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

FallingWhistles.com

If you do nothing else today, please do this.
Click here.

Monday, August 30, 2010

These pictures go along with the last post about our pencil project. (By "our" I mean all of my dear friends who donated pencils.) Take a look at the fruits of your labors!

Over 8,000!!!




The kids loved me because of your generous donations!
I wish you could have seen their faces.
They sent their love and gratitude to you, they will never forget your kindness.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Kenya—July, 2010. How do I begin to explain this experience? It was both enlightening and perplexing, both empowering and daunting, both invigorating and draining, and something I wish I could repeat over and over again. This was my fourth trip to Kenya with Koins, my fourth attempt at making sense of my role in Mnyenzeni, and the fourth time I’ve foolishly gone to Africa with expectations. Three previous trips should have taught me to never step on the plane with certain expectations in mind. Things like what a Primary School Headmaster’s response might be to the question, “what do you need most right now?” or how 60 young children might react to a pile of unsharpened pencils. But they didn’t. These are the things that this naïve American should not have tried to answer herself.

The months leading up to departure found me searching for an idea of how I could do some good on my upcoming Kenya trip. I remembered an experience my mom had had while on an expedition a few years ago. While talking with a headmaster, she asked him the question, “what do you need most right now?” When listening to her account, I remember thinking, they probably need new classrooms, better desks, textbooks at the least. His response was simple and direct, “Pencils.” Excuse me? Pencils? How in the world are these children learning a thing if they don’t even have pencils? And is this an indication of all the materials you lack? What about those classrooms and desks? Do they exist? A slew of questions filled me to the brim, along with a burning commitment to get pencils to Kenya, no matter how heavy the suitcases are! So the informing of friends and family began and the gathering was enormous. We ended up with over 8,000 pencils (at least one for every student in every school that Koins serves), 30 wall-mount pencil sharpeners, and bags full of scissors, chalk, rulers, and all kinds of teaching necessities. I was ecstatic because I knew these supplies would be received with grateful hands—those of the teachers. I couldn’t wait to “leave some pencils at the schools,” as I wrote in my journal. Little did I know that smaller hands would receive them with even more enthusiasm.

Vikolani is an early-childhood school, serving children from preschool to 2nd grade and is located about 15 minutes from the Koins Community Center. Our group walked to the school one afternoon, toting bags of pencils, ready to present our gifts to the headmaster. When we arrived, we found a classroom full of adorable students waiting for us. They welcomed us with beautiful song as only African voices can produce, and I thought to myself, Poor things, they’ve been waiting here since school ended today. Their teacher probably made them stay to welcome us, I’m sure they are anxious to get home. What was that? An expectation? Yes. And wrong again. I learned that these children had voluntarily waited without food all afternoon to meet us. I presented the supplies by explaining that many good people in America had heard about them and wanted to send a gift. I expressed my desire for them to be hard-working students, and I pulled from a bag a handful of unsharpened pencils. I asked, “Who would like a pencil today?” All they could do is stare at my hand, disbelief written on their faces. I clarified, “Raise your hand if you would like a pencil.” Every single child raised a hand. I explained that I had brought enough so that each student could have a pencil of their own, and what followed had the power to bring me to tears. The room erupted into shouts of joy and clapping, and the measly expectation I had had of “leaving some pencils at the schools” was dashed again. How? I asked myself that moment and for weeks to come, how have I been here 3 previous times and never noticed this huge need? My only answer is that I had expectations. Fourth time around, and I think I’ve finally learned that listening to the people express their needs, then rejoicing with them when the needs are met is really what this is all about.



Monday, August 23, 2010

Post-Africa: a post about Africa :)


I'm home.
I know, I've been home for a couple of weeks... definitely long enough to post at least a few pictures, right? Well, the truth is that I still don't have pictures! Ah!
I know you'd rather look at photos than read my arduous writing, so I'll spare you... for now. All my pics are being burned to disks, (8 disks to be more specific), and will be with me, and you, shortly. Until then, keep checking this blog! I love having an audience!

Which brings me to:
thanking you all for being interested in this part of my life. I really appreciate and admire your willingness to really just ask me about my experience and listen to my answer.
Truly, it means more than you know.

As time goes on, Africa stories (you know, the real living and breathing, everyday kind) will emerge. I'm so thrilled to share them with you.
If I can manage to decently explain everything, I promise they won't disappoint.
So read on folks!!


Tuesday, July 20, 2010

And the counting and sorting continues...


Get it... we have pencils coming out of our ears!

On a more serious note, I received a package of pencils from a friend, Haley Larsen, the other day. In her package was a note, and in her note was a beautiful expression of what she feels passionately about: writing. Because she articulated so well what has been on my mind for the past year or so, I asked for permission to share it with you.
This is her note:

"Sam, thank you so much for spreading the news of this cause and inviting others to contribute. Pencils seem like such a small thing, but they are in disguise. Pencils are words. They are language, dreams, thoughts; waiting to be written. Writing is a beautiful thing--I feel sincere joy, deep down in my heart, when I think of a child shaping his or her first words with these small pencils. Words and language shape us--they shape our world. And we need the words, the language, of the voices in Kenya, or our own world, our own shapes, will be unfulfilled. So take these pencils. Let's see what they say."


Monday, July 19, 2010

It's Raining Pencils!!!

Holy cow the pencils just keep pouring in!!
Thanks to you, we now have 6,600.
And they continue to multiply and replenish.




Thursday, July 15, 2010

5,582!!!!

Thanks to you, we have collected that many pencils!
You have outdone yourselves.

But keep them coming! :)


Friday, July 9, 2010

WOW!

Yay!!! We are so close to our goal!
We have 3,882 pencils and you guys have been sooooo amazing with this project.
Thank you for taking this on and pulling through like champs!

Only 1,118 to go!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

FYI

Just so you know, Costco has packs of 92 pencils for $8.00
Just in case you need pencils for something soon.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Delivery!


Don't you just love getting mail!

My sweet Lyndsey, thank you sooooo so much for the
5 boxes of 72 pencils you sent!
Bryan and I will put them to good use around here on our homework. :)

In all seriousness, thank you so much to all of you who have given to this project.
From donating pencils and giving money, to helping with the publicity by reposting my posts on your blog or telling a friend, I truly can't put into words how much you will change the lives of so many Kenyan children.
You are wonderful people who I am so grateful to know.

The pencil count is now up to 1,860, and my sis committed to another 1,000!!
That leaves 2,000 pencils to be collected by July 20th.
WE CAN DO IT!

Sunday, June 13, 2010



This doesn't relate to Africa in any way, but I have to do a simple tribute to the
love of my life...Kernel.
You thought this was going to be a cheesy post about Bryan didn't you!

Kern passed away yesterday, and I can't tell you how much we miss him.
Thanks to everyone who made his short year with us so happy, yes that includes the many of you out there who forgave him for peeing on your floor.

Back with Africa stuff soon!
(Notice on the left that the money for sharpeners increased!! Thanks Ellie!)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Thank you SO much to those of you who have expressed interest in the pencil project!
I now have 1,400 pencils!! (see text on left of screen)
But don't let that fool you, my goal is 5,000. So start shopping people!!
Also, don't forget about the sharpeners. I want to take a wall-mount sharpener for every school (so about 8). Sharpeners cost between $20-$50.00 so any donation will be absolutely wonderful!
Let me know if you've got pencils or money! I'll pick them up, wherever you are!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Keeping it Simple



The more I go to Africa, the more I realize you gotta keep it simple.
This year my mom and I want to take enough pencils for every student...(we're talking thousands. Simple just got complicated.)

So here's the deal, we need your help!
We are looking for brand new pencils, the fancier the better! (except mechanical)
I think all-a-dollar has them in large quantities for cheap.
And I bet if you look around your house you might find some!

Let me know, I'll pick them up from you.

We are also going to provide pencil sharpeners for each school, which run from $20-$50 a piece. If you'd like to donate specifically to this project, let me know.

Background info: children in Africa learn without the benefit of pencil or paper. If they are lucky enough to ever get a pencil, it is sharpened with a knife.

Last year, as my mom was sitting in her classroom,
having just done an Africa presentation for her students, one of those students walked back into her room.
He held in his hand a pencil box overflowing with pencils.
Sparkly pencils, smiley face pencils, birthday pencils, you name it, he had it!
He held the box out, and told my mom he wanted her to take it to Africa. Of course she was excited, but curious as to where he had come up with all of them, she asked. To which he replied,
"I have been collecting these since kindergarten. And I want you to have them."
Being the emotional person that she is, my mom started to cry and told him she couldn't take his collection. But he insisted.
So, off she went to Kenya with a box full of beautiful pencils. After arriving in Kenya, she took the pencils and walked to one of the schools Koins has built--
a very primitive two-room building.
Upon arriving, she asked the headmaster if there was anything they needed. Mind you, they have no water, no school lunch, no books, no desks. So, much to her surprise, the first word out of his mouth was "pencils."
Because of that generous boy, she was able to hand him the treasured box of beautiful pencils.


Once again, don't ever underestimate your ability to make a difference.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

FAQs about Sponsoring a Student

I've had some questions about sponsoring a student. Here is my best shot at answering them:


Q: How much does it cost to sponsor a student?
A: $300 a year

Q: Do you have to pay it all at once?
A: Not at all! Bryan and I pay it in clumps. You can pay $25 a month, $100 every few months, or however you want to break it up.

Q: Does the full $300 go to the student?
A: Yes. Koins doesn't take any overhead (meaning there are no paid employees of Koins), nor does it go to any other project of Koins. The $300 goes directly to the headmaster of the Mnyenzeni Secondary School to pay the tuition for the student.

Q: How are the scholarship students chosen?
A: There are more students in need of scholarships than are available. Because not every student in need of one can receive a scholarship (sponsor), the students are chosen based on their academic achievement. If they have a good record in school, they have a better chance of receiving a sponsor.

Q: Can I correspond with my student?
A: Yes, in fact, Koins strongly encourages it. Bryan and I get letters from Elizabeth every few months attached to her term grades. She is currently #1 in her class! I have sent a few letters to her, telling her about my life, how I feel about her hard work, and included pictures of us.

Q: When I commit to sponsor a student, is it for the rest of their education?
A: No, when you commit to sponsor a student, you are committing to one year, so $300. If your student still has years of secondary school left, you can choose to either continue sponsoring or not. There is no pressure at all, Koins appreciates every contribution, and the students appreciate every year of school.

Q: Why is sponsoring a student so important?
A: No one actually asked this question, and hopefully you know the answer. But just in case...
From grades 9-12, school is not free in Kenya. Many students must drop out of school after 8th grade because their families do not have the $300 a year to continue their education. When a student drops out, they say good bye to any dream they had of living a better life than their parents. At the age of 13, the drop-out forfeits his future of becoming somebody great who can make a difference, to a future of scraping by day after day.
When you sponsor a student, you are providing the opportunity for another human being to live her dream.
What if everything you have now was taken away because you couldn't come up with $300. This is exactly what's happening to so many children.


Does that answer the question? :)

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, click here.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Cotton Candy Sale!!



If this question ever pops into your mind:
"How much good can I really do?"
Think of this:


A mother at my mom's school donated her time and resources (a cotton candy machine and the yummy ingredients) to raise money for Koins for Kenya.
Out on the blacktop at Windridge Elementary, this one woman charged $1 a piece,
raising over $400.00
for Windridge's sister school in Kenya.

At the moment, the students at Chicomani are sitting on the hard dirt ground struggling to pay attention while the unyielding hot sun beats down on them.

When the afternoon rain comes, they gather under a tree and the teacher continues his lesson. And I thought the old non-air conditioned Davis high was bad!

Thanks in part to this ONE PERSON, the children at Chicomani will be able to learn regardless of rain, wind, or scorching sun.
(click the "chicomani" link to see before/after pics)

Do you think a classroom makes a difference in their lives?
If not, you've obviously never gone without one.


That, my friends, is THE POWER OF ONE.



check out what these sisters are doing to make a difference

I want to hear your stories of making a difference, do share please!!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Sponsoring a Student

Public education in Kenya is free through 8th grade. After 8th grade, the families of the students must pay $300.00 each year to keep their children in school.
$300.00 is the average annual income for a Kenyan.
For this reason, many children must drop out of school to work, forfeiting their chance for a better future.
For the past year, Bryan and I have been sponsoring a student named Elizabeth.
Koins started the scholarship progrm to keep students like Elizabeth in school.
Elizabeth is at the top of her class, and has the dream of becoming a doctor.
There are many students in Mnyenzeni, (the village where Koins stays), who have dreams like Elizabeth's and who are working hard for them, but simply don't have the money.
Let's face it, if Bryan and I can fork over $300 a year, anybody can!
If you're interested in sponsoring a student, click here.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Welcome to the Discussion!



Come July 22nd, this wanderer will be at it again.

I'm headed to Kenya for a humanitarian expedition with a group call
Koins for Kenya. They're doing ABSOLUTELY AMAZING things in the village of Myenzeni.
Click the link to check them out.

Because I want you all to share this experience with me, leading up to the trip, during the trip, and after the trip I will be posting about different thoughts I have.
I started this blog because I want discussion.
I want a raised awareness.
So help me out!

Until then, watch this.
Really do.
This is your way of making the world a better place.