I spend a considerable amount of time looking at what others are doing which appears to be similar to the efforts of GADL and GAD Kenya. There are a lot of opportunities. So I ask myself, why us, why would or maybe even should, a person seriously consider a commitment to join in this work we believe in; investing, (your first clue) in a rural but highly crowded area of poverty called Rionchogu, Kenya. A poverty which is deeply imbedded in the history and even cultural practices or beliefs which have been in place for such a long time. A poverty which is tied strongly to an identifiable circumstance, that being illiteracy. So we speak through our own emerging certainty that any lasting outcome of the investment in the people of Rionchogu and the surrounding area called Sengera, an outcome defined by self sustaining community rather than hopelessness and dependence, must be consistent with and in fact a significant party to; BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND ILLITERACY. Anything less will eventually result in dependance on outside aid and a continued view as being victims with a resulting and ongoing lack of hope for a self sustaining future.
Breaking the cycle begins with local leadership dedicated to the ideals which foster the hope who are willing to immerse themselves, invest their time and stand strong in their pursuit. We have that in GAD Kenya
Breaking the cycle continues with the combined education and challenge to the previous generation for the benefit of this change. We see this in the growth of involvement of the existing 'older generation'.
Breaking the cycle is accomplished when an emerging educated and committed generation comes forth and accepts the responsibility to continue the path by becoming the ones which support such as they were. A new generation helping through sponsoring student school fees for youth with out family finance to attend school. Those who had no hope yet found hope paying back by providing the same assistance they themselves received, to others.
I read this and think, can't happen . . .and yet . . .I have seen the beginning evidence. I have seen a people begin to embrace helping others as a meaningful social ingredient for community. I have seen students, still in the education process, stand up and challenge their younger peers to adopt new priorities for study. I have seen and heard young men and women speak out amongst their peers for their own New Destiny; speak out for more responsible personal actions which embrace looking forward past today and tomorrow to a time when they will experience a different life. My mind says no this is too much to expect, my heart says yes, they will; they are the owners of the dreams and my eyes see the evidence that the heart is correct.
Breaking the Cycle does take some support for a time and again I ask you for help, I hope you will pray, meditate, consider that even a small amount when added to a small amount from another can more than touch a life it can and will change the life of one who will change the life of another who will change the life of another. Three people combining their support of $10.00 each a month will provide an aspiring student a year of education in Secondary (high school). Check our web site student section. Choose the one you will help.
Another reason to chose us is you can travel to meet your student and their family with one of our Expeditions to the village and surrounding area.
Simple and easy, change the life of another with your support and change your life by visiting them.
I am blessed by you taking the time to read this, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Holiday season.
Bud Potter
Closer to Home
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The Party Boat
Go and Do Likewise Hosts the Crittenton Kids
Once again the Holiday Season brought our annual party on Newport Bay with the young residents of Florence Crittenton Services in Fullerton. Our 14th year, and like most, the best so far. Music from our Music Man Sam Parsons, some stories, good food provided by Captain Rick and his crew. Smiles, laughs and fun was the theme and the girls enjoyed the evening. Captain Rick Garcia donates his boat, time and that of his crew for this special evening for our young guests. It is easy in our comfort to forget that life is not easy nor fun for many youth who have experienced abuse of some form in their lives.
This evening is our attempt to change that, at least for a day.
Blessed most of all were those aboard who sang along with and interacted with our guests.
Identify the Dream
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Since we began our relationship with GAD Kenya through communications in 2007 and then with the first visit to the village of Rionchogu, Kenya in 2008, there has been an ongoing journey of exploration to identify, pin point, if you will, the focus. While there are a variety of interactions with different age and gender groups in the village, there has always been an unspoken, well sometimes more unspoken than others, focus to the dream. We speak of education and community. We work to assist elderly and the young without families. We have built and dug and applied mud, hauled rocks and sand. We have held seminars for men, women, students. We have continually met with larger groups encouraging the use of English, which is the language of the economy in Kenya. Woven into this fabric of activity is and has been many different agenda and specific purpose. Underneath it all, though, has been a single foundation of purpose priority. This priority is to glorify God in all we do working together. So from time to time we must remember to revisit our purpose, is what we are doing consistent with that priority. Re-evaluate our activities so they comply with our purpose.
The Cycle of Poverty and Illiteracy has become our challenge and breaking this cycle is our platform to comply with our priority. The rural environment has several challenges. Not least is the lack of an overall economy which can assist the basic educational efforts. The families simply, for the most part, do not have the funds to improve facilities, insure their teachers are up to date on teaching materials and equipment and personal education supplemental classes. The rural community simply does not have the ability, facilities or infrastructure of finance to provide a level of education which is available in the more urban, especially large city, locations. Neither the teachers, administrators or adult leaders work from a stage of equal support. The educational playing field is, in other words, not level. What ever difficulty there may exist in the urban educational environment it is exacerbated by the overall poverty level of the rural community. Hence our dream.
The dream is to assist the educational and spiritual community to construct a competitive pre-K through 16 educational infrastructure and facility or series of facilities. Competitive meaning that students attending through this opportunity will experience a learning potential where they can truly excel towards University level higher education. An opportunity that will keep the children of families with financial substance in the local school, yes, and their fees as well. An opportunity where the poorest of child, if she or he applies them selves, will have every chance to fulfill their potential.
The dream really belongs to the local leadership, the Kenyan visionaries. The community builders. It is theirs but they need our help. I hope to be able to share how this takes form. All the local ingredients are there. With time the economic provision will come I am sure. We believe in people, the governments and even the large International Aid organizations have no answer for this. If they did it would not still be a problem. The dream is self sustaining community, and it means self sustaining education with competitive education potential.
New students, returning students and those hoping to go further yet.
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In Kenya the school term is from January to November. The end of November is 'finals week' for every grade level. Some test scores we receive quickly and some come more slowly but all new and returning students should have provided their scores by the time fees are due for the next year. Full year fees are required by schools so December is a very intense month for us to seek funding for the following year. This year we have 12 new students approved for assistance out of 21 applications.
Applications may be rejected for a variety of reasons; student commitment, family commitment, previous performance or other known factors including knowledge that the family can indeed afford the funds for education.
This year we have seen an increase in the scores for motivated students completing their 8 year primary education. There are still significant numbers who do not score high enough to enter Secondary but the scores of the higher achieving students are improving. Much of the success is due to the regular peer group involvement of older students and the growing awareness in the community concerning the importance of education. Currently there are 21 fully sponsored secondary students. The total number of students approved for secondary assistance is 56, simple math leaves 35 un-sponsored students who are in a pool to receive assistance as our general fund for Kenya provides.
2011 produced 13 students ending their formal Secondary education who have either secured employment or are looking for jobs, this number includes 6 graduating students who are waiting to find out if their grades are high enough to allow for still higher education and 2 returning students in vocational training already. Final year student grades will not be available until late Feb so it is uncertain what the actual requests will be regarding further education opportunities. The math still falls short of our available funds so our year end need as usual is significant.
Perhaps your church, home group or some friends would be willing to join you to join us to make a difference.
Easy to do, the first step is to make a decision that they are worth helping, from there a little courage will gather all we need. If half the people who receive this letter will find the means to sponsor a student we will be over flowing.
CLICK ARROW FOR MUSIC
