Hi all,
As the Holiday season is quickly approaching, I wanted to give you an alternative option for gift giving this December. In years past, I've often been overwhelmed by the American way during the Holiday season: I think too many times we rush around during the week before Christmas trying to find the perfect gift for those we love, as if showing our love requires a material object. While I love giving (and receiving!) gifts as much as the next guy, I have a different perspective this year. Although I haven't spent a Christmas here in Kenya before, I can guarantee you that things will look a bit different. The amount of poverty and suffering here takes my breath away, and has changed my life in just the short amount of time I’ve been here.
Please consider making a donation this holiday season. One-time donations are always welcome. Here is an estimation of how much money is needed for what:
$30 will buy 2 girls’ packages for a year (24 sanitary napkins, 8 pairs of underwear, and soap)
$50 will buy one school uniform and one notebook
$100 will buy five children a pair of school shoes
$500 will buy textbooks for approximately 3 students in Primary school, grades 7 and 8
$800 will buy approximately 10 children a Christmas package including several pairs of clothes, shoes, cookies, a toy, etc.
$1,000 will assist a college student with yearly tuition fees, accommodation, and food for 1 year
If you are interested in making an ongoing commitment, one of the most effective and needed ways to donate is to sponsor a child so that they can go to school. It costs approximately $350 for a child aged 6-13 years to go to Primary school for one year, three terms. It costs approximately $450 for a child aged 14-18 to go to Secondary school for one year, three terms. However, it would be devastating for a child to be sponsored for just one year of school, only to be put back on the street when the money runs out. For this reason, if you decide to sponsor a child, it is necessary that you agree to sponsor them for several years. You can decide which aged child to sponsor, and for how long. For example, if you want to make a 4 year commitment, you can sponsor a child for Secondary school (equivalent to 4 years of high school in the US).
Taaluma Program is a local NGO here in Kenya that Joe and Sarah Ellen Mamlin work with to distribute international donations to children in need. As some of you know, my parents are visiting me in Kenya at the end of December. I'm volunteering them to bring checks and monetary donations directly here, so as to avoid fees associated with wiring money and the like. If you are interested in making a donation, please make a personal check out to Mrs. Sarah Ellen Mamlin and Mr. Sonak. A fund has been set up in their name to avoid unnecessary fees through the Kenyan government.
I hope this hasn't been too overwhelming of an explanation and plea. The bottom line is, there is SO much need. ANY amount of money you can afford to donate will be put to good use, and you can determine where your money goes.
Please consider giving a gift that will change the life of a child here in Kenya. If you’re interested in making a donation, please contact me for my parents’ address. They will collect checks and bring them to Kenya in December.
Sincerely,
Kathleen O'Donnell
Kathleen.s.odonnell@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment