tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46174048619745761372024-03-13T07:22:00.358-06:00The African WayThis is a blog about my trip to Kenya, and occasionally other pertinent matters in the world. I'll do my best to infect you with the Africa fever, so just be aware that you'll soon be in love with this continent as much as I am.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-55639300187380384172011-03-13T11:14:00.002-06:002011-03-13T11:26:51.403-06:00Sponsoring an Orphan<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I know, it has been a VERY long time since I've posted anything. But I'm back in full swing (hopefully) so please continue to be the wonderful blog-checkers you are.<br /><br />Today I'd like to briefly mention an opportunity I recently heard about. In 2007 I spent 3 months in Cuenca, Ecuador taking care of orphans. I worked primarily with 10 incredible handicapped children, but spent some time in other 0rphanages with babies and toddlers. The organization I went with, Orphanage Support Services Organization (OSSO) has started a sponsorship program where we are able to sponsor a child. The goal is to make the orphanages feel more like families so that these children can grow up with stability and a sense of who they are. As I learn more about this life-changing program, I'll keep you updated. <br /><br />Love you all!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-69258268270556653162010-10-12T13:28:00.007-06:002010-10-12T13:37:33.145-06:00African Albinism<div align="center">My goodness. This story is <em>incredible</em>.<br /><br /></div><div align="center">Please take <strong>60</strong> seconds to click the link below and read this story, </div><div align="center">you'll be amazed at the enlightenment and appreciation you come away with. </div><div align="center">Think of it as your way of making a difference in the world today.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.tonic.com/article/kenya-albino-killings-koins-for-kenya-school-philanthropy/">http://www.tonic.com/article/kenya-albino-killings-koins-for-kenya-school-philanthropy/</a></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527245510546003346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TLS4gdp3lZI/AAAAAAAAAiA/BGtXwGaqsks/s320/mother+and+child.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">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: <a href="mailto:samanthamayworkman@gmail.com">samanthamayworkman@gmail.com</a>, or visit koinsforkenya.org.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-59707442776952641452010-10-07T14:32:00.002-06:002010-10-07T15:24:34.068-06:00Some of my favorite pics from the trip:<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45ih6X_II/AAAAAAAAAho/q47gJ3Pd_nA/s1600/8_29a+Woman+in+field.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525417058211724418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45ih6X_II/AAAAAAAAAho/q47gJ3Pd_nA/s320/8_29a+Woman+in+field.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Woman working in her shamba (garden)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45if6KKsI/AAAAAAAAAhg/hAth9bshYyU/s1600/8_29a+Sunset+over+Mwache+river.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525417057673947842" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45if6KKsI/AAAAAAAAAhg/hAth9bshYyU/s320/8_29a+Sunset+over+Mwache+river.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Sunset over the Mwache River<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45hzG15tI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ULk9tY_j7bc/s1600/8_23+KCC+from+Chikomani.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525417045647550162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45hzG15tI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ULk9tY_j7bc/s320/8_23+KCC+from+Chikomani.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> View of the country surrounding our village </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">(the blue roof is the Koins for Kenya workshop)</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45hYwHWTI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/b88i1HzbP4o/s1600/8_23+Chikomani+in+distance.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525417038572902706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45hYwHWTI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/b88i1HzbP4o/s320/8_23+Chikomani+in+distance.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45g_Wy2II/AAAAAAAAAhI/LZS5IE_yjog/s1600/8_23+Chikomani+fav+photo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525417031755815042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TK45g_Wy2II/AAAAAAAAAhI/LZS5IE_yjog/s320/8_23+Chikomani+fav+photo.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Seriously. Who is that cute?!</span><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-36158370029715302622010-10-01T13:03:00.008-06:002010-10-01T13:15:03.368-06:00When I want to complain about cooking...<div align="center">If I asked a Kenyan woman what I need to do to prepare a meal, this is what she'd say:</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYxhb06MtI/AAAAAAAAAfg/XsASylh-SkM/s1600/cutting+wood.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523156443491611346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYxhb06MtI/AAAAAAAAAfg/XsASylh-SkM/s320/cutting+wood.jpg" /></a> "Cut the wood for the fire,<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYxdArJjzI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Eu6aKU0csRE/s1600/carrying+wood.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523156367483440946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYxdArJjzI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Eu6aKU0csRE/s320/carrying+wood.jpg" /></a> carry the wood home,<br /><div align="center"></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYxYCET97I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/PnnZ1QAp7UA/s1600/carrying+water.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523156281958070194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYxYCET97I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/PnnZ1QAp7UA/s320/carrying+water.jpg" /></a> fetch the water a bucket at a time,<br /><br /><div><u><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></u><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYxP4BljiI/AAAAAAAAAfI/p1ywIL_R6lg/s1600/chickens.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523156141823331874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYxP4BljiI/AAAAAAAAAfI/p1ywIL_R6lg/s320/chickens.jpg" /></a>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.), </div><div><br /><div><u><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></u><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYwwwXZ3EI/AAAAAAAAAeg/e8ODRd9afIg/s1600/cooking+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523155607191411778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYwwwXZ3EI/AAAAAAAAAeg/e8ODRd9afIg/s320/cooking+1.jpg" /></a> cook,<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYwwgid_cI/AAAAAAAAAeY/pXKhSk6a1nY/s1600/cooking+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523155602942852546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYwwgid_cI/AAAAAAAAAeY/pXKhSk6a1nY/s320/cooking+2.jpg" /></a> cook,<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYwviirzMI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/fLSMgnEB2ow/s1600/cooking+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523155586300759234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYwviirzMI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/fLSMgnEB2ow/s320/cooking+3.jpg" /></a> cook.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYwvFChqXI/AAAAAAAAAeI/9rQPEnuOwmQ/s1600/with+a+baby+on+back.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523155578381248882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYwvFChqXI/AAAAAAAAAeI/9rQPEnuOwmQ/s320/with+a+baby+on+back.jpg" /></a>And do it all with a baby on your back and a smile on your face!"</div><div></div><div><div align="center">And I would reply, "what happened to picking up a rotisserie chicken at the store?!"</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><em>Watch the video on the previous post to see how they carry the huge piles of sticks on their head. Seriously impressive.</em></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-4938204173417894732010-10-01T10:28:00.001-06:002010-10-01T10:29:11.785-06:00Kenyan Women Carrying Firewood (they're laughing because the big white man is tyring to help)<object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/RKY_4r6bxJ8/hqdefault.jpg)" height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RKY_4r6bxJ8?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RKY_4r6bxJ8?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-84736974530064047362010-09-27T12:23:00.004-06:002010-10-01T13:32:32.671-06:00An African Memory, written by my mom<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKY0WI5zeAI/AAAAAAAAAgg/GFr2yH61ow0/s1600/CW-with+1st+grade+teacher.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523159547968190466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKY0WI5zeAI/AAAAAAAAAgg/GFr2yH61ow0/s320/CW-with+1st+grade+teacher.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><em>Two incredible school teachers, Mama Cindy and Mama Chisi</em></span></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">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.<br /></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523158576655411826" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYzdmeyqnI/AAAAAAAAAfo/C2S7ca3cc6E/s320/cw-cindy+w+baby.jpg" /> 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 <em>my</em> hand, whipe my tears, and offer kind words of consolation.<br />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.<br />His name was Charo.<br />He was 12 years old.<br />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. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523161151510523778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKY1zekFr4I/AAAAAAAAAg4/rVvZSdckct0/s320/cw-teacher+aids.jpg" /> <p align="center"> <span style="color:#ccffff;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Mom, handing out pencils to the teachers at "Windridge, Kenya"</span></em> </span></p><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523158837943208354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKYzsz2qCaI/AAAAAAAAAfw/J9vMx3GlBb8/s320/cw-cindy+and+fatuma.jpg" /> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Mom with her kindred spirit, Mama Fatuma</span></em> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523161618428207746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TKY2Op98IoI/AAAAAAAAAhA/w5LwjAhX6H4/s320/cw-cindy+and+others+painting.jpg" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><em>Mom, painting the school that the 6th graders at Windridge Elementary built with their fundraising.</em><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Cindy Workman<br /><br /><i>Isn't she so cool!</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-19085665495049673192010-09-21T13:31:00.005-06:002010-09-21T13:50:24.406-06:00Interview with the Scholarship Coordinator<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 137px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 156px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519455079907579474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TJkLJt-d1lI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/_UuQa40t04E/s320/19_Nancy-Littlefield.jpg" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">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.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I grew up with Nancy as my second mom. She has an enormous heart, and she really knows her stuff!<br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are some of her thoughts on the scholarship program:</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">"We are ALWAYS looking for sponsors for our students. Five years ago we started the program with <em>one student</em> being sponsored. It grew over the five years, and last year we sponsored <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">97</span></strong> 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:</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Koins for Kenya </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">252 North Preston Drive</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Alpine, UT </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">84004</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">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 <span style="color:#ff0000;">families resort to choosing one child in a group of about 30 cousins</span> who they think will do the best in school, and that child gets to go to secondary school. <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The future of Kenya [and the world as a whole] depends greatly on the ability of the children to be educated</strong>.</span> </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">One trip to Costco would almost cover a year's tuition.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">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."</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>If you're interested in sponsoring a student, comment on this post or email me at <a href="mailto:samanthamayworkman@gmail.com">samanthamayworkman@gmail.com</a>.</em></div><br /><div><em>You can also go to <a href="http://koinsforkenya.org/index.php">KoinsforKenya.org</a> to get in contact with Nancy directly.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-59572048000560986632010-09-12T21:10:00.004-06:002010-09-12T21:29:32.691-06:00Won't you be my neighbor?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TI2WngrLJHI/AAAAAAAAAcI/OlPK5YvoVVQ/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 185px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TI2WngrLJHI/AAAAAAAAAcI/OlPK5YvoVVQ/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516230724128810098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">At Stake Conference today, Elder Holland quoted this great man. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It ignited a bit of curiosity and I came home and googled Mr. Rogers. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Yes, google is the answer to all questions.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A recent conversation reminded me that truth can be found everywhere, </div><div style="text-align: center;">if we are willing to receive it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I often see truth in how people live their lives, I feel it in how people communicate their ideals.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fred Rogers conveyed truth in both of those ways.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;">"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." </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do you agree?</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-89123144718635250882010-09-07T22:51:00.002-06:002010-09-08T16:54:59.973-06:00FallingWhistles.com<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>If you do nothing else today, please do this.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Click <a href="http://fallingwhistles.com/">here</a>.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TIcWgfPizzI/AAAAAAAAAb4/oB2vNofrvFc/s1600/Unknown-2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 204px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TIcWgfPizzI/AAAAAAAAAb4/oB2vNofrvFc/s320/Unknown-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514401016136781618" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 93px; height: 140px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TIcWgv9hqxI/AAAAAAAAAcA/BujJbXRYimU/s320/Unknown-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514401020624612114" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TIcWgF_R1HI/AAAAAAAAAbw/TOwzzBdOQPk/s1600/Unknown.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TIcWgF_R1HI/AAAAAAAAAbw/TOwzzBdOQPk/s320/Unknown.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514401009357673586" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-2542631809268587462010-08-30T18:43:00.002-06:002010-08-30T18:50:50.955-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">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!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THxQfSaL2rI/AAAAAAAAAbY/lbdT3tc91R0/s1600/sw-pencils+.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THxQfSaL2rI/AAAAAAAAAbY/lbdT3tc91R0/s320/sw-pencils+.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511368542442478258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Over 8,000!!!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THxQfywrmEI/AAAAAAAAAbo/5oN6aG_NSpY/s320/sw-class+with+pencils.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511368551126767682" /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THxQeeb_WNI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/rg1qHOQzDUM/s1600/sw-SAM+W+PENCILS.jpg"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THxQeNzHiOI/AAAAAAAAAbI/rXEm3CDSbHU/s1600/sw-sam+with+kids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THxQeNzHiOI/AAAAAAAAAbI/rXEm3CDSbHU/s320/sw-sam+with+kids.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511368524025006306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The kids loved me because of your generous donations! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you could have seen their faces.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They sent their love and gratitude to you, they will never forget your kindness.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-9355540442469729722010-08-29T22:21:00.002-06:002010-08-29T22:27:44.478-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THszEIQR6MI/AAAAAAAAAbA/W27LK3h0Gmc/s1600/IMG_4142.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THszEIQR6MI/AAAAAAAAAbA/W27LK3h0Gmc/s320/IMG_4142.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511054715046193346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Kenya—July, 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How do I begin to explain this experience?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>or how 60 young children might react to a pile of unsharpened pencils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But they didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These are the things that this naïve American should not have tried to answer herself.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The months leading up to departure found me searching for an idea of how I could do some good on my upcoming Kenya trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I remembered an experience my mom had had while on an expedition a few years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While talking with a headmaster, she asked him the question, “what do you need most right now?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When listening to her account, I remember thinking, they probably need new classrooms, better desks, textbooks at the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His response was simple and direct, “Pencils.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Excuse me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Pencils?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How in the world are these children learning a thing if they don’t even have pencils?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And is this an indication of all the materials you lack?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What about those classrooms and desks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do they exist?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So the informing of friends and family began and the gathering was enormous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was ecstatic because I knew these supplies would be received with grateful hands—those of the teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I couldn’t wait to “leave some pencils at the schools,” as I wrote in my journal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Little did I know that smaller hands would receive them with even more enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Vikolani is an early-childhood school, serving children from preschool to 2<sup>nd</sup> grade and is located about 15 minutes from the Koins Community Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our group walked to the school one afternoon, toting bags of pencils, ready to present our gifts to the headmaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When we arrived, we found a classroom full of adorable students waiting for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They welcomed us with beautiful song as only African voices can produce, and I thought to myself, <i>Poor things, they’ve been waiting here since school ended today.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Their teacher probably made them stay to welcome us, I’m sure they are anxious to get home. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></i><span style="font-style:normal">What was that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An expectation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And wrong again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I learned that these children had voluntarily waited without food all afternoon to meet us.</span><i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></i><span style="font-style:normal">I presented the supplies by explaining that many good people in America had heard about them and wanted to send a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I expressed my desire for them to be hard-working students, and I pulled from a bag a handful of unsharpened pencils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I asked, “Who would like a pencil today?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All they could do is stare at my hand, disbelief written on their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I clarified, “Raise your hand if you would like a pencil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every single child raised a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><i>How?</i><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I asked myself that moment and for weeks to come, </span><i>how have I been here 3 previous times and never noticed this huge need?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></i><span style="font-style:normal">My only answer is that I had expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THsyYGLR-aI/AAAAAAAAAa4/Z5rMiop0P14/s320/IMG_4162.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511053958574111138" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-87539319583799068562010-08-23T22:53:00.004-06:002010-08-24T00:27:24.213-06:00Post-Africa: a post about Africa :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THNmLrm9BAI/AAAAAAAAAag/F_dsTCEC51M/s1600/IMG_4145.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/THNmLrm9BAI/AAAAAAAAAag/F_dsTCEC51M/s320/IMG_4145.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508859120074949634" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">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! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I know you'd rather look at photos than read my arduous writing, so I'll spare you... <b>for now</b>. 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! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Which brings me to:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>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. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Truly, it means more than you know.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">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. </div><div style="text-align: center;">If I can manage to decently explain everything, I promise they won't disappoint.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So read on folks!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-91425787519620134052010-07-20T22:08:00.002-06:002010-07-20T22:20:53.908-06:00And the counting and sorting continues...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TEZy7GyTrPI/AAAAAAAAAaY/eyW8pu6_z-8/s1600/mail-1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 166px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TEZy7GyTrPI/AAAAAAAAAaY/eyW8pu6_z-8/s320/mail-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496206755011734770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TEZy637ejtI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/xKtXonfq_mk/s1600/mail.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 166px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TEZy637ejtI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/xKtXonfq_mk/s320/mail.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496206751023664850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Get it... we have pencils coming out of our ears!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">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. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is her note:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><b>"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."</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';color:#000066;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-52491631922066020962010-07-19T14:35:00.001-06:002010-07-19T14:56:31.818-06:00It's Raining Pencils!!!<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TES7B4dhLuI/AAAAAAAAAaI/cCwBUjxRoq8/s1600/raining+pencils.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495723086309306082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TES7B4dhLuI/AAAAAAAAAaI/cCwBUjxRoq8/s320/raining+pencils.bmp" /></a> Holy cow the pencils just keep pouring in!!</div><div align="center">Thanks to you, we now have <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">6,600.</span></strong></div><div align="center">And they continue to <span style="font-family:courier new;color:#006600;">multiply and replenish</span>.</div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TES3WrwYFkI/AAAAAAAAAaA/zXazJ-Z2yw0/s1600/pencils.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 155px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495719045629482562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TES3WrwYFkI/AAAAAAAAAaA/zXazJ-Z2yw0/s320/pencils.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-14345729082218799952010-07-15T09:27:00.002-06:002010-07-15T09:50:21.846-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">5,582!!!!</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to you, we have collected that many pencils!</div><div style="text-align: center;">You have outdone yourselves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But keep them coming! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-7960422601550555912010-07-09T21:37:00.003-06:002010-07-09T21:45:53.226-06:00WOW!<div style="text-align: center;">Yay!!! We are so close to our goal! <br />We have <span style="font-weight: bold;">3,882</span> pencils and you guys have been sooooo amazing with this project. <br />Thank you for taking this on and pulling through like champs! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Only 1,118 to go!</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-43453381281920620452010-07-01T10:02:00.003-06:002010-07-01T10:02:55.351-06:00FYI<div align="center">Just so you know, Costco has packs of 92 pencils for $8.00 </div><div align="center">Just in case you need pencils for something soon. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-27592300188662854622010-06-26T18:22:00.003-06:002010-06-26T18:36:28.889-06:00Delivery!<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TCaaHbZ1DcI/AAAAAAAAAZw/5TXGpc2P3bs/s320/IMG_0409.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487242648403381698" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TCaaH17cdvI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/R31lJYjcevs/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TCaaH17cdvI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/R31lJYjcevs/s320/IMG_0408.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487242655523698418" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you just love getting mail!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My sweet Lyndsey, thank you sooooo so much for the</div><div style="text-align: center;">5 boxes of 72 pencils you sent!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bryan and I will put them to good use around here on our homework. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In all seriousness, thank you so much to all of you who have given to this project. </div><div style="text-align: center;">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.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are wonderful people who I am so grateful to know.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pencil count is now up to 1,860, and my sis committed to another 1,000!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">That leaves 2,000 pencils to be collected by July 20th.</div><div style="text-align: center;">WE CAN DO IT!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-52861780485315647152010-06-13T22:39:00.002-06:002010-06-13T22:46:00.096-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TBWy45GD1DI/AAAAAAAAAZo/6oCW0KvAnfg/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/TBWy45GD1DI/AAAAAAAAAZo/6oCW0KvAnfg/s320/IMG_0371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482484811862103090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This doesn't relate to Africa in any way, but I have to do a simple tribute to the</div><div style="text-align: center;">love of my life...Kernel. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You thought this was going to be a cheesy post about Bryan didn't you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kern passed away yesterday, and I can't tell you how much we miss him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">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.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back with Africa stuff soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Notice on the left that the money for sharpeners increased!! Thanks Ellie!)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-45094327592099689022010-05-27T19:59:00.006-06:002010-05-27T20:07:14.772-06:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Thank you SO much to those of you who have expressed interest in the pencil project!</span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I now have 1,400 pencils!! (see text on left of screen)</div><div align="center">But don't let that fool you, my goal is 5,000. So start shopping people!! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Also, don't forget about the <strong>sharpeners</strong>. 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!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;"><em>Let me know if you've got pencils or money! I'll pick them up, wherever you are!</em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;"></span></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-43360383745025368542010-05-24T18:16:00.000-06:002010-05-25T12:23:25.544-06:00Keeping it Simple<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/S_sXBxW-EWI/AAAAAAAAAZY/eGInRKVgxjo/s1600/pencils.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 131px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474995091195957602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/S_sXBxW-EWI/AAAAAAAAAZY/eGInRKVgxjo/s320/pencils.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">The more I go to Africa, the more I realize you gotta keep it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">simple</span>.</div><div align="center">This year my mom and I want to take enough <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">pencils</span></span></span> for every student...(we're talking thousands. Simple just got complicated.)</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center">So here's the deal, <b>we need your help!</b></div><div align="center">We are looking for <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">brand new</span></i> pencils, the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">fancier</span> the better! (except mechanical)</div><div align="center">I think all-a-dollar has them in large quantities for cheap.</div><div align="center">And I bet if you look around your house you might find some!</div><br /><div align="center">Let me know, I'll pick them up from you.</div><br /><div align="center">We are also going to provide pencil <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>sharpeners</b></span> for each school, which run from $20-$50 a piece. If you'd like to donate specifically to this project, let me know.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center">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.</div><br /><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Last year, as my mom was sitting in her classroom, </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">having just done an Africa presentation for her students, one of those students walked back into her room. </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He held in his hand a pencil box overflowing with pencils. </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sparkly pencils, smiley face pencils, birthday pencils, you name it, he had it! </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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, </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"I have been collecting these since kindergarten. And I want you to have them." </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Being the emotional person that she is, my mom started to cry and told him she couldn't take his collection. But he insisted. </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">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--</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">a very primitive two-room building. </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Upon arriving, she asked the headmaster if there was anything they needed. Mind you, they have <b>no water, no school lunch, no books, no desks.</b> So, much to her surprise, the first word out of his mouth was "pencils." </span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Because of that generous boy, she was able to hand him the treasured box of beautiful pencils.</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#000066;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/S_wQuyuvW_I/AAAAAAAAAZg/N_EjrMWyowo/s320/IMG_3954.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475269643053521906" /></span></div><br /><div align="center">Once again, don't ever underestimate your ability to make a difference. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-22898488385172090302010-05-23T22:53:00.000-06:002010-05-23T23:54:28.773-06:00FAQs about Sponsoring a StudentI've had some questions about sponsoring a student. Here is my best shot at answering them:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Q: How much does it cost to sponsor a student?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A: $300 a year</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Q: Do you have to pay it all at once?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Q: Does the full $300 go to the student?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Q: How are the scholarship students chosen? </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Q: Can I correspond with my student?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Q: When I commit to sponsor a student, is it for the rest of their education?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Q: Why is sponsoring a student so important?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A: No one actually asked this question, and hopefully you know the answer. But just in case...<br />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. <br />When you sponsor a student, you are providing the opportunity for another human being to live her dream. <br />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.</span><br /><br />Does that answer the question? :)<br /><br />If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, click <a href="http://koinsforkenya.org/education.php">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-11362687689169253072010-05-19T15:29:00.000-06:002010-05-19T16:33:56.767-06:00Cotton Candy Sale!!<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/S_RYXihGCyI/AAAAAAAAAZI/iuExGzcNyUE/s1600/cotton+candy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473096608587844386" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/S_RYXihGCyI/AAAAAAAAAZI/iuExGzcNyUE/s320/cotton+candy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>If this question ever pops into your mind:</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#330033;">"How much good can <em>I</em> really do?"</span><br /></div><div align="center">Think of this:</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">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.</div><div align="center">Out on the blacktop at Windridge Elementary, this <em><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">one</span> </em>woman charged $1 a piece,<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">raising over $400.00</span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">for Windridge's sister school in Kenya.</span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">At the moment, the students at <a href="http://koinsforkenya.org/photo_library.php">Chicomani </a>are sitting on the hard dirt ground struggling to pay attention while the unyielding hot sun beats down on them. </span></span></div><br /><div align="center">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!</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Thanks in part to this ONE PERSON, the children at Chicomani will be able to learn regardless of rain, wind, or scorching sun.</span></span><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(click the "chicomani" link to see before/after pics)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /> </div><div align="center">Do you think a classroom makes a difference in their lives?</div><div align="center">If not, you've obviously never gone without one.</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">That, my friends, is THE POWER OF ONE.</span></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473112718255991922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/S_RnBPtSLHI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/92SzWa9xexE/s320/koins.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">check out what <a href="http://www.changeforkenya.blogspot.com/">these sisters </a>are doing to make a difference</span></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I want to hear your stories of making a difference, do share please!!</span></div></span><br /><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-89525277015339796512010-05-17T10:57:00.000-06:002010-05-17T11:14:47.145-06:00Sponsoring a Student<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/S_F12YgB28I/AAAAAAAAAZA/cXxdNyWtRMg/s1600/student.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472284599382039490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rFiU4aDpoDY/S_F12YgB28I/AAAAAAAAAZA/cXxdNyWtRMg/s320/student.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">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.<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">$300.00 is the average annual income for a Kenyan.<br /></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">For this reason, many children must drop out of school to work, forfeiting their chance for a better future.<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">For the past year, Bryan and I have been sponsoring a student named Elizabeth.</div><div align="center">Koins started the <a href="http://koinsforkenya.org/education.php">scholarship progrm </a>to keep students like Elizabeth in school. </div><div align="center">Elizabeth is at the top of her class, and has the dream of becoming a doctor.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">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.<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Let's face it, if Bryan and I can fork over $300 a year, anybody can!<br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center">If you're interested in sponsoring a student, click <a href="http://koinsforkenya.org/education.php">here</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617404861974576137.post-17319155236371510642010-05-13T11:09:00.000-06:002010-05-13T11:27:34.244-06:00Welcome to the Discussion!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://admin.ten72.com/photos/19_IMG_3516.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://admin.ten72.com/photos/19_IMG_3516.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Come July 22nd, this wanderer will be at it again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm headed to Kenya for a humanitarian expedition with a group call</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.koinsforkenya.org/">Koins for Kenya</a>. They're doing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">ABSOLUTELY AMAZING</span></span></span> things in the village of Myenzeni. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Click the <a href="http://www.koinsforkenya.org/">link</a> to check them out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">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. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I started this blog because I want <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">discussion</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want a raised awareness.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So help me out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until then, <a href="http://www.koinsforkenya.org/you_tube.php">watch this.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Really do.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is your way of making the world a better place.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1