Living in Kenya is such a delightful adventure. Not without its’ challenges but worth every minute of the difficulties we face daily. We’ve spent the past year adjusting to life in this foreign country. Learning ways to help without hindering is not easy. But we can truly say enabling destitute people to rise above their circumstances by encouraging them to do all they can do first, gives us a place to help.
Each morning I walk a couple of blocks to the sewing school and primary school to check on things.
As I go out my gate I see so many children playing in the streets while their peers, who are better off than them, are in school learning reading, writing and math as well as life skills. I want to scoop them all up and bring them to our school, StoneHouse Academy. Over the past two years, I’ve watched so many unhappy kids, desperate for more than the poverty has to offer them. Given an opportunity to attend school, they begin to glow with smiles on their faces. When we walk into the school grounds we are welcomed by laughing, running children hugging and loving on us with grateful hearts. Their parents are happy because now they can feed their families with their meager earnings. Many times parents or family will forego a good meal so they can save the money for school fees. Many of these children are orphans being cared for by relatives usually grandparents, aunts or uncles.
Here's what one of them has to say:
As I go out my gate I see so many children playing in the streets while their peers, who are better off than them, are in school learning reading, writing and math as well as life skills. I want to scoop them all up and bring them to our school, StoneHouse Academy. Over the past two years, I’ve watched so many unhappy kids, desperate for more than the poverty has to offer them. Given an opportunity to attend school, they begin to glow with smiles on their faces. When we walk into the school grounds we are welcomed by laughing, running children hugging and loving on us with grateful hearts. Their parents are happy because now they can feed their families with their meager earnings. Many times parents or family will forego a good meal so they can save the money for school fees. Many of these children are orphans being cared for by relatives usually grandparents, aunts or uncles.
Here's what one of them has to say:
[My name is Joseph and I am 6 years old. My father died of HIV-AIDS and my mother abandoned me when she realized that she was sick. I now live with my grandparents and they are too old to support me. I wish to get a sponsor who will support me with my education so that I can complete schooling.
I hope you will consider me.
Thank you and may God bless you.
Yours, Joseph]
Last year was an exciting and changing year for StoneHouse
Academy. We were able to improve the facility by moving to a larger place. The
children have room for recreation and better classrooms.
Now we’re at the start of the new school year beginning on January 6th,
2015. School starts with nursery class to kindergarten when the students
proudly graduate to primary classes – grade 1-5.
This year we’ve added another
class for 6th grade and will continue to add a class each year as
we’re able.
Because of you, who have faithfully helped by supporting our
school and the students, life is changing for many in the slums of Ponda Mali.
Please consider becoming a part of this ministry. For $80
each term – 3 times a year – you can send a child to school where they will get
an education and two hot meals a day.
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| Student have his morning Porridge |
These are just a few of the many children awaiting a
sponsor:
KIBAKI – 2nd grade - is an orphan being raised by
his grandparents. He is a muslim and is hearing the gospel everyday at school.
JOSEPH – 1st grade - his father died with HIV- AIDS.
Since the mother is also sick she went away to spare her son seeing her sick
and dying. He lives with his grandparents who also live in poverty.
CELINE – 3rd grade - is an orphan being raised by
her uncle who is a pastor with StoneHouse Ministries International.
TELISIA –4th Grade - is a very bright young
girl. She is an orphan living with her grandparents. She’s behind in her grade
level simply because her grandparents haven’t been able to pay school fees.
STELLA – 5th grade – is one of two daughters of a single
mom. Her mother works very hard as the caretaker of StoneHouse Fellowship and
also teaches the children bible class at the school, StoneHouse Academy.
Thankfully, your Missionaries in Kenya,
David and Cynthia Taylor
StoneHouse Ministries International
