May
Kenya!
Posted in Kenya, Momma B | 2 Comments »You have to read the title with your best Oprah impression “Shelly’s headed to KEN-YAAAAA!”
Time is growing near to my departure date for Kenya. Many of you know I’m headed there in late June – but for those who don’t here’s the scoop:
My Mom’s friend Ben grew up in Yimbo, a small village in Kenya. One of (I believe) six children his parents prioritized education – his father oversaw the building of the village’s primary school. All of his siblings are highly educated, successful people who live all over the world. From a young age Ben understood the power that education brings. One of his goals was to provide the same kind of tools that his parents sought for him to the others in his home village. He, along with his brother started a non-profit called Friends of Yimbo. You can read all about them on their site here.
Last year, after two years of hard work, dedication and fundraising a library was built in the village school. Ben and his brother Charles, along with a group of volunteers (including my parents) went to Yimbo to dedicate the library and fill it with books. I worked as a volunteer for those two years off and on, helping to get the non-profit set up, drafting documents, and cheerleading. The students, and the rest of the village, could not contain their excitement and pride for the new library. Ben and team met with the village elders to assess plans for future help and support.
This year I’ve been invited to go on the humanitarian trip. I’m excited and just a tad nervous. Mostly nervous because I’m a picky eater and don’t want to offend – and because I am fundraising for it and that’s not always comfy for me.
Many of you are hitting my site after receiving an email from me about the trip. Some of you won’t get an email since I don’t have an address. I’ve set a goal of $1500 – all of it going to the all-volunteer Friends of Yimbo. I have no doubt I can hit it!
So, if you are inclined to donate I’d greatly appreciate it. You can find more information about donating HERE.
Of course I’ll be blogging about my trip – and all the adventures I have gearing up for it!
