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April 24, 2021
Mission ImPOSSIBLE - 2018-2021
I thought you may enjoy hearing some of the successes we have accomplished in Kenya. I will once again add a new photo album so you can visualize. Together we have provided renewed hope and new direction for many.
Julius Shukrani one of my 2019 students, he had to leave his mother’s house and rent his own room. Driving a motorbike for his living he could no longer pay both his rent and school fees. He disappeared until I found him several weeks later, got him back into school. During the pandemic there was no work, so he was to lose his home and was prepared to sleep outdoors. We got him into another room and within 4 months he was able to become self-dependent again. He has recently gotten a full-time catering job waiting for employment in Saudi Arabia once travel opens.
Rama- assisted with his school fees and national exam fees. He battles depression with no support from his family. We provided him with medical examination and counseling and now has been able to share with me issues that he has been caring for years.
Martha- a very sharp student who worked as a house girl from 3 am until 7:30 am start of school to pay for her rent and school fees. She was molested by her employer. We got her situated living with another student and we supplied them with some basic living needs. She is now working up country and occasionally sends her gratitude.
Domonic- dropped out of his first year of high school due to extremely poor vision. It was caused by his involvement in drugs led him to stop taking his daily HIV medications. For the past year I have been taking him to an eye clinic, both eyes had surgery and now he is seeing well. Another missioner who assists those affected by HIV/AIDS plan to provide him with schooling again.
Peter- Husband with two young sons, was attacked and robbed resulting in the amputation of his left arm at his shoulder. We moved them from the dangerous area they were living, provided them a room to live in and started for them two small businesses. They are now able to care for themselves.
Asha- a catering student and young widow raising her two-year-old son was sponsored for her school fees. She was employed at one of the nicest beach resorts, but since the pandemic the hospitality business has come to a standstill.
Benedict- he was brought from a rural village up country by Sr. Pauline to work on her compound caring for the animals, gardening and any choirs needed to be done. He replaced Zakayo because now we currently sponsor as a one of my catering students and unable to work full time. Beginning on May 10 he will begin electrical automotive college which we have sponsored him.
Laki- a twenty-five-year-old young man who, like Shukrani, had to shift from his father’s house just 5 months ago. He now has to struggle to pay his rent, buy food and provide for himself and younger brother. He will be sponsored by us in Catering beginning January 2022. He peddles a bike around selling loaves of white bread to the local shops to earn 2 cents per loaf. He sells about 30-40 per day. His phone slipped out of his pocket while on the bike. He was so discouraged. Yesterday I talked to him about starting to package and sell peanuts at 10 cent per package. He has sold $6.95 the first tow days. We set the goal today that within three weeks he will sell enough for a new phone. He left saying “thank you sir, you have given me a motivation”. Yesterday he told me that one day he wants to help hopeless youth like he was just a couple months ago. Can it get any better than that?
Zakayo, Jackson and Peter (the triplets)- these orphan boys we relocated here 16 months ago. Jackson is learning metal work and Zakayo Catering at my school and are both thriving. They are well liked by the teachers and administration. Peter the youngest has quit school and went astray at only 17 years of age and not in good living environment. But we are continually trying to change his mind and get back to school.
Gabriel- my most recent undertaking and student came to me and told me he had a drinking problem. Soon he admitted the heroin and cocaine, wishes to stop it all. Got him into counselling, medications and moved him out of the area he lived, away from his friends. He is getting a manual work at the school to keep him occupied and tired. I pray he will make the change. He stops by every day.
Abdalla- you know most about his history. He graduated with a distinction from Catering school. He is employed at my favorite restaurant in Mombasa, Roberto’s Italian Ristorante. He took a loan on a motor bike which he hires out as additional income. He has his own room and fully self-sufficient. Just two year ago, he would wake up every day wondering how he could hustle enough so he could eat that night. Today he is saving a remarkably high percent of his monthly income.
And the list goes on and on for others! The amount of food given in the local informal settlements, orphanages, rescue centers, struggling students and neighbors has surely kept many in good health and provided hope. Food is a very big deal here because, it consumes a high percentage of one’s earnings. Too often meals have to be skipped due to their lack of it.
School fees, rent payments, medical assistance, providing small business startups, clothing, school uniforms and supplies, shoes, mosquito nets, beds and simple kindness has what I believe will be a lasting impact for many. I believe what many have witnessed from our love and generosity, will have a lasting impact for them and those they will impact as well.
From me and from all of us here in Kenya, we say “Asante Sana and Mungu Baraka”, A Big Thanks and God Bless!
