Provide School Shoes to Kenyan Orphans

While some orphaned teenagers living at the Good Samaritan Children Home in Mathare, Kenya have been able to acquire mandatory school shoes-thanks to the donations given so far!- several are still waiting and hoping that someone will come to their aid.

Apart from the fact that buying shoes is a fulfillment of a mandatory school obligation, the teenagers who have benefited talk of the joy and confidence they have found in their new pair of school shoes. Majority of them share that the school shoes enhances their self esteem and assures them of continues stay in school throughout the school year. The teenagers say they "no longer feel embarrassed in our old shoes". They wish to say a big "Thank You!" to all those who have contributed in enhancing their self-esteem and more so in ensuring that their schooling remain uninterrupted.

Project Director Abigael Onchiri talks about her experiences in school in Kenya.  Abigael is now a Senior in East Lansing High School., East Lansing, MI.

What I remember and probably miss about education in Kenya is the school dress code particularly the school uniform.  I remember with nostalgia how all students in my school looked fabulous in their uniforms.  Those who did not have the required uniforms were always sent home to buy.  In my former school, our uniform included a white blouse, checked black and white skirt, red sweater, and black shoes.  We were also required to buy sports shoes, shorts and a T-shirt.  What I did not like was when some students made fun of those who had old or torn sweaters, socks or shoes.  Those students who were made fun of felt sad and sometimes cried.

On Friday, 2nd December, 2011 East Lansing High School's African Students Association (ASA club) held a colorful performance at the McDonald Middle School in East Lansing, Michigan. Those who attended had a wonderful evening of fun as ASA members staged Africa country flags, rhythms, and fashions. At the end of the evening, ASA club donated $100.00 to go towards purchasing school shoes for high school teens residing at the Good Samaritan Children Home. FAF wishes to say a big "Thank You" to the ASA club members. As you already know, $100.00 will be enough to buy ten pairs of school shoes. Thank you again ASA for your philanthropy gesture

The population of the Good Samaritan Children's Home fluctuates.  Here is a run down of the numbers, ages and sex of the children as of the first of August.

Babies birth to 3 years:  21 boys, 11 girls

Nursery to school age:  6 boys, 9 girls

Primary school:  70 boys, 40 girls

Secondary school:  20 boys, 15 girls.

Please note that 7 boys and 1 girl are waiting to join secondary school because they lack tuition funds.

Links:

• Organizational website

Life at the Good Samaritan Children's Home is going well despite the famine in northern Kenya.  Through GlobalGiving we have raised $175 for tuition--Project 6163--and $75 for shoes--Project 7377--during the month of August.  In addition, the organization has raised about $400 from our sales at the Grand Rapids Artisan Market and through general donations and membership.  Funds raised under these conditions are used for general support at the orphanage.  If the orphanage reports a food shortage, the children can be fed from this fund.

August is membership month at  Fabulous African Fabrics with fees supporting the organization's operational expenses.  You can become a member of FAF by requesting a form at 1158 Kensington St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534.  Members also are invited to various meetings and parties during the year and receive a quarterly newsletter.

None of the donations you make on Global Giving will be used for operations or general support for the orphanage.  These funds are restriced to the above named projects.

Links:

• Official site of Fabulous African Fabrics