Updates for the Hope Community Center

WOW, once we returned from the trip the real work began. So far the group has focused on the main initiatives to establish sustainability. We realized providing shoes for the children, buying a second cow for the school, and raising money to purchase the land where the distillary (which is our equivalent to a crack house) is next the the school, and gaining sponsorship for the students to attend school would be the main initiatives. We have been truly blessed by the outpouring of support. So far the second cow has been bought by the Kaminsky family from Woodland Elementary School, principals in the school district challenged their buildings to rasie funds to purchase the land, and 7 children have been sponsored. Sherry has been feverishly working to gain support for a Sole to Soul shoe fundraiser in her communities in New York and New Jersey. She has also found a school in Yonkers who wants to help with play equipment and supplies for the school. Woodland will begin its shoe campaign this week to tie into the Earth Day celebrations. What the school is asking is for each pair of shoes donated, a dollar is placed inside a shoe as well for shipping.
Our first follow up meeting was last night and Katie took an amazing amount of notes, as the process for the future is unfolding. We learned Stacy has been asked to join the Significant Matters/Hope Kenya leadership team which will be a wonderful endeavor for her passion.
Bless Terri for taking care of all of our pictures, and Tracy for organizing a local site to keep them for others to see.
As our weeks fly by, it is hard to believe it was a month ago we were in Kenya. Now, how many days until we go back?
Kudos for all that is happening, we really can make a difference in our world.
Jonann

"Believe: The start to a better world is our belief that it is possible."

With this in mind five teachers from the Olathe School District began a journey of a lifetime, a partnership between a man’s vision to help his homeland and teachers’ desires to serve the world they are shaping through education. As teachers we know we have major responsibilities in the shaping of the future of our society. We know we live in one world. What we do affects others, and what others do affects us as never before. To recognize that we are all members of a world community and that we all have responsibilities to each other is simply our reality as educators in the 21st century. Today’s students will be working in a global marketplace and living in a global society. In order to succeed and become leaders in this new world, they must acquire a far different set of knowledge, skills and perspectives than previous generations which shapes the way in which educators acquire new skills or professional development. We must lead through example, how can we expect our students to be risk takers if we require them to just spit out facts. Quality education demands us to teach higher concepts such as context, perspective and problem-solving.
· We knew our journey would make everlasting impressions, however we never imagined our footsteps leading us in so many directions.
· No matter how many times we told ourselves we were taking the initial steps for change, we never imagined we were still looking through our view of what is needed.
· As we loaded our suitcases with school supplies, we imagined the smiles and fulfillment of these gifts. We never anticipated having to explain how stickers are used.
So no matter how planned our trip seemed, it was the unexpected that opened our eyes for an inspirational opportunity to make a difference; whether it was the school buildings, with dilapidated concrete walls and meager furnishings; or the children in uniforms without shoes. It looked so challenging, but the children were happy. They were happy to be in school and happy for us to see their world. If the school wasn’t there, they would have no education. The education gives them an opportunity to be lifted out of poverty (hope for a better future) but the journey doesn’t end there. This is where linking arms with the community is needed to lift up the students, and to give all generations hope that their future will be brighter. Maybe this is the true vision; to help make sense where sense has gone missing.
“If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it.
You just do it one step at a time.” –Marian Wright Edelman
So we learned:
“If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement,
or attempts to understand, extraordinary things begin to happen.” –Loretta Gizartis
Now we can answer:
How many people does it take to make a difference?
What does hope feel like?
What does courage sound like?
What does action look like? How do things get better?
It all begins with one…you.

-Jonann

Hope Kenya Trip 2010 at OneTrueMedia.com

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we are on US soil

we have made it to chicago! we are boarding in a few minutes to head back home. we hear it is snowing...we just left 92 degrees. it was an amazing journey but we are so glad to be coming home. (we see now we are delayed)

St. Patrick's Day

IT is with a heavy heart we are leaving Machakos today. Yesterday was emotionally uplifting as well as draining. It appears to be a theme of our trip to experience such contrasts. We learned a lot about the HIV/AIDs epademic in the area and saw schools where many children are orphans. Today we are exchanging currency and heading to Voy. In Voy we will visit a national park and head to Mombasa tomorrow. We are short on time so this is just a quick update to let you all know you are in our thoughts each day we walk this journey. Muh love and admiration for this world.

Kenya Aventures: The first few days

How is that one country can experience such unbelievable poverty and breath taking beauty? As we all sit at the Cyber Cafe, letting our loved ones know we are well, it is hard to wrap your head around all that we have seen. We began a great adventure upon our arrival about 10 p.m. in Nairobi. The night sky was pitch black yet people were bustling around the city without a care. The methodist missionary hostile we stayed out was so hospitable, we were amongst many missionaries from around the world (a majority from Canada). When we embarked on our first outing Sunday morning, the smiles were endless. The traditional open air market in downtown Kenya was quite an experience. We were greeted with "Brokers" who broke the group apart and quickly tried to price-jack everything. When everyone began feeling the tensions, we quickly escaped back to our bus. (Make sure you hear the individual stories from each group.) Our next adventure was to a farming community outside of Thika. This is where John's grandparents owned land and farmed. We were able to see trees full of avacados, mangoes, bananas and coffee. John's family also welcomed us with open arms. Seeing the traditional family setting was very uplifting. We then went to the Blue Post Hotel in Thika for a great dinner, with live music and two waterfalls in the background. Some people were able to see "reeces" monkeys hanging in the trees by the water. As we headed back south to Nairobi, the open air markets selling used clothing, foods, pretty much anything imaginable were eye popping. Tour buses full of people were everywhere. The school bus we were riding in was rocking and rolling down the entire highway. I have never seen so much traffic, nor crazy drivers. The drive into Machakos was very dark and bumpy but the hotel where we are staying is quaint and homey. We have had warm showers, and plenty of hospitality. Today we spent the entire day at the Hope Preschool. The preschool is in a slum where they never thought they would have a school. We were able to meet the teachers and interact with the children. The books and school supplies were a huge hit, many tears were shed. Some of the team helped build the chicken coop and worked on the housing for the community cow. Tomorrow we will head back to the preschool to meet with a doctor, the "roasting" chicken man and the officials from government and private schools in the area. Wednesday we head towards Tsavo National Park and Mombasa to see more of Kenya. John has shared with us the importance of experiencing Kenya, to be a part of helping. The BIG picture always needs to be in the focus, and this we see when we are experiencing such poverty conditions amongst those who have. We heard a great thought, that charity isn't change, it is just a part of the process. Bless everyone who have sent us with their good intentions and for being a part of this journey. -Jonann

leaving for london...all of us!

thankfully we will all be traveling together to london and then nairobi. we will be boarding shortly and i do not know when we can update here but we will as soon as possible. everyone has a seat and we are ready to do this!