Another Day, Another Non-Profit...

It is Tuesday p.m. here in Kenya. Habari ya mchana! How are you this afternoon? Yesterday was a full day...travel along the Rift Valley to a place called Maai Mahui to visit an amazing non-profit called Comfort the Children. Begun about ten years ago by an American and a Kenyan, this organization has been able to expand its reach to include programs which touch on all 5 of its mission components... Education, Economy, Environment, Community, and Health.

Begun to create a technical school to teach useful skills to people in the community, the organization then began a day-care center for children with special needs. While caring for them, the moms began to ask for something to do and so the Malaika Mamas were "born"...a program to teach the women to use sewing machines and make products which CTC then sells. The women are paid for each piece they produce- a very fair price- and the remainder covers the fees for their children's schooling (the school is now far more than day care) as well as monies to continue the work of CTC. One of the contracts they presently have is with Whole Foods in the western part of the U.S., making shopping bags. California friends, check it out. They are also producing "Life Jackets", reusable cuffs to use when you purchase coffee at your favorite coffee shop. Ecologically friendly, dear ones, as well as a way to support women who are usually the breadwinner in their families and who have the additional challenge of having a special-needs child.

Malika Mamas

Shopping bags

There is also a gardening program- ShoSho Shambas (gardening grandmothers), an HIV/AIDS clinic for testing and education, and an environmental director who is pursuing use of alternate forms of energy as well as directing  nursery program which is growing trees for reforrestation.. Community is formed and encouraged by the various support groups which meet weekly for moms of special needs children, for grandmothers and grandfathers, for those living with HIV/AIDS, for the gardeners, etc.

The programs are run entirely by Kenyans, with American support and volunteers, especially from the American Sewing Guild, based in Houston. (Suz & Sarah, you may want to check for a chapter in Austin...they do great stuff and you'd meet lots of other women involved in sewing as well as other textile arts and crafts.)

The school for special needs children was absolutely amazing. Divided into 3 classes, according to need and ability, there were 6 or 7 children in each room, being cared for and taught by ONE teacher with ONE helper. These women were trained by an organization here in Kenya which deals with special-needs children and all three displayed such a caring spirit, such genuine affection for "their" children, and such pride in the gains each of them have made since being part of the program.

The third classroom was the "Shooting Stars", the children who are functioning at the highest level. They were wonderful and their teacher, Jane, was so impressive. She explained how each of the children had been when they first began and we could see for ourselves how far they have come. All five were very low-functioning when they began a year or so ago, but several who could not walk are walking, all can write their names, and they are now learning simple math. My personal favorite was Ruth, an engaging little girl who perhaps has had polio (or so her gait appeared) but has such an engaging smile that I found her irresistible.

My girl, Ruthie

All of the classrooms were bright, with the walls covered with artwork and cheery pictures of the children and by the children. It was a great place and we had a wonderful visit. (To learn more about this great organization, check their website cfcinternational.org ) And so another day of learning, of experiences, of meeting amazing people like Joel, Jeremiah, Alice, Denise, Jane, and many more, volunteers and staff alike, all dedicated to the work of this remarkable organization. A full and lovely day, indeed...thanks be to God!