New Additions

     Some years ago I "adopted" a small school for the Deaf in Kenya, EAST AFRICA.  The children who attend this school are among the poorest of the poor and were it not for the Immanuel Christian School for the Deaf, would have little hope for the future beyond standing on the streets, begging.

     My goals have been simple - to advocate for these children so that they might have greater opportunities than they might have otherwise. They are neither stupid or "handicapped", but they do face challenges that are extraordinary compared to most of us.  I have found them generally to be bright, creative, and eager to learn.

     Over the past few years I have championed a number of projects in the school, most of which are centered around economic stability and vocational training.  Last year we were able to help them purchase some additional real estate which has been cultivated for growing food and providing income from marketing some of the produce.  A second project has been in the development of a egg/poultry project which also is providing food, marketable goods, and valuable training for some of the students.

     Recently, we were blessed with the donation of a shipping container full of medicines valued at around $25,000,000.00.  Through the generosity of the International Children's Fund there is a 20' container on a ship bound for the port of Mombassa and then to the rail yard in Nairobi. From there, these life saving commodities will be distributed to clinics and hospitals all over the country.

    There are so many needs such as additional dormitory space, furnishings for current housing, construction of new facilities and improvement of the old.  There are a number of new economic development projects I am anxious to begin.

The MAJOR GOAL facing us in 2011 is to obtain reliable transportation for the school. Last year the school was hit with a major outbreak of malaria.  Malaria is the number one killer worldwide as more people die from malaria than any other single disease.  Every student and teacher was stricken. Sick teachers had to transport sick students 25 km every day to a local clinic for treatment. This had to be done via pubic transportation (which meant traveling with 2 or 3 students at a time). During this same time time, one of the beloved faculty members was lost to complications from malaria. Paul Anyango died because he could not get adequate treatment. Reliable transportation is not a luxury - it is a necessity.  I am going to be trying to raise $25, 000 over the next few months, or God willing - to secure the donation of an appropriate vehicle which we can ship to Kenya.

I have added several pages to this blog so that I can provide updates, news reports, and request emergency prayer to cover these precious ones in Kenya.  I will also be adding a secure form where folks can donate to specific projects online. I will continue to add posts on a variety of subjects, but you will now find tabs at the top of the page which you can select to view various updates on the school.