tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42496506345572867572024-03-05T06:39:56.859-08:00Tenderfeet Education CenterNews and information about a school for needy children in Nairobi, KenyaDaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-12828874674154280782010-09-23T19:20:00.000-07:002010-09-23T19:28:09.422-07:00New Blog Location<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Now that Tenderfeet has a new website design, we're enjoying the opportunity to integrate the blog with the website itself. By the way, even though it has a new design, the Tenderfeet website is still at the same web address: <a href="http://www.TenderfeetKids.org">www.TenderfeetKids.org<br /></a><br />As a result, all the new articles will be posted on the new blog location. No further articles will be posted here on the blogspot website. Please check the new blog and keep up with all the Tenderfeet happenings!<br /><br />The blog address is: <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.org/blog">www.TenderfeetKids.org/blog</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcD8Q9MGAS2CIpxNalOb_P-k6ACp2Cjj2c4oC22PIUBG79faAYLMBpxcSc9jdJfwWQ6UGAr3q_81kSyZCUYTqfvMP-gK1IpsDDVueCjV6VAeGeUrqWSRZ3om4NUJJ9xQmM18srqB0eZ0/s1600/TenderfeetBlog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcD8Q9MGAS2CIpxNalOb_P-k6ACp2Cjj2c4oC22PIUBG79faAYLMBpxcSc9jdJfwWQ6UGAr3q_81kSyZCUYTqfvMP-gK1IpsDDVueCjV6VAeGeUrqWSRZ3om4NUJJ9xQmM18srqB0eZ0/s400/TenderfeetBlog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520299739875548322" border="0" /></a>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-20106089745516944712010-08-22T16:25:00.000-07:002010-08-22T17:03:29.041-07:00Scenes from the New School<p>We recently received a new batch of pictures of the kids at the new Tenderfeet school. Since it opened in June, the teachers and children have been blessed by the spacious classrooms and outside area.</p> <p>Please check out the gallery below.</p> Thanks to Edwin for taking the photos.<br /><br />Kids give the "thumbs up" in front of the new school<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u0D3bUUVl8A6Fynu1DcPqbaPyNAoj3q40Oj-jX9p4ESXUnWSe9ho4KL4cgNm07BVlAotZW2G2tg7xvyhPttI7LTot2qI80eq-zMx7soDPi1-yaJ7Gx2AKTJ02JVr547Rve9vmuM1Ezw/s1600/KidsWithThumbsUp.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u0D3bUUVl8A6Fynu1DcPqbaPyNAoj3q40Oj-jX9p4ESXUnWSe9ho4KL4cgNm07BVlAotZW2G2tg7xvyhPttI7LTot2qI80eq-zMx7soDPi1-yaJ7Gx2AKTJ02JVr547Rve9vmuM1Ezw/s400/KidsWithThumbsUp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508386752315426194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Teacher Lydiah leads the class<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgp6E6BsTyUfFfj73wxcWKVd2BEYfTtBGAYAyXOfTo-fqTRsQQWWZJBC1P9s-geky1pEyjF2QcqrUDDyDdTSFsQ9tugZEPIUaTMFRYlFb1LfsQqtbg1wV-DH4myXO3nmHyqaE74LH5rw/s1600/LydiaTeaches.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgp6E6BsTyUfFfj73wxcWKVd2BEYfTtBGAYAyXOfTo-fqTRsQQWWZJBC1P9s-geky1pEyjF2QcqrUDDyDdTSFsQ9tugZEPIUaTMFRYlFb1LfsQqtbg1wV-DH4myXO3nmHyqaE74LH5rw/s400/LydiaTeaches.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508379753786885842" border="0" /></a>Kids wait for their assignments<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy644orkPyVRTxzLFEZrp_YP82hc7JAH6oNeFZclNV4uhsOXdaRJnYEInb4R07KsybgK3MLOJJSZ9dXmDVxduWZiFybgrqy1EOdr2vFXjMkbtT_hHXt-yqXLJ8cngCumDnpon_2QjYOAQ/s1600/KidsInTheClass2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy644orkPyVRTxzLFEZrp_YP82hc7JAH6oNeFZclNV4uhsOXdaRJnYEInb4R07KsybgK3MLOJJSZ9dXmDVxduWZiFybgrqy1EOdr2vFXjMkbtT_hHXt-yqXLJ8cngCumDnpon_2QjYOAQ/s400/KidsInTheClass2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508379997581770210" border="0" /></a>Lunchtime at Tenderfeet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3jduLnnWSu75UZXsfxTA6K39So9rCY4VgMzdEy5INF6dtL2LVj0kYmrCPkabqz2uZS1JM5G5ulgChdR8T09Jc1Rozqi0j-vR6ZbNOQ4CMG2EYrv3GNFf95uCxmguZ6pIA6vceme9bc4/s1600/KidsEating.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3jduLnnWSu75UZXsfxTA6K39So9rCY4VgMzdEy5INF6dtL2LVj0kYmrCPkabqz2uZS1JM5G5ulgChdR8T09Jc1Rozqi0j-vR6ZbNOQ4CMG2EYrv3GNFf95uCxmguZ6pIA6vceme9bc4/s400/KidsEating.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508380501638737378" border="0" /></a>Never before have the kids had such outside space for activities<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqApWaeoUJdSEmDre95dqgQcL3eGjgCouK1CyjnShmzXE0Usamk7I9KCXaRSzH5rO_VcFtmQw9ctJa9mUlFrt_e2s6CdCty2UiHUNDiY4p7WigcWksRJs3fCk79qLfeUAidy93Pmu3lg/s1600/KidsOutside2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqApWaeoUJdSEmDre95dqgQcL3eGjgCouK1CyjnShmzXE0Usamk7I9KCXaRSzH5rO_VcFtmQw9ctJa9mUlFrt_e2s6CdCty2UiHUNDiY4p7WigcWksRJs3fCk79qLfeUAidy93Pmu3lg/s400/KidsOutside2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508381399943550210" border="0" /></a>Physical education is an important part of the curriculum<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7ztfQxnOpj1iLd0yX8srZAgrYQsQhy5sfYfeFJPrY4gpvY7222TLxGwYp9iPIGuJEoL9V68ePDmpL2s2PXF9P3JJQEjsrW2Z8ZQgHDGJ-Zgno9RmMqzClRbwjxEvuvJjpKdqF6N8lkA/s1600/KidsOutside1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7ztfQxnOpj1iLd0yX8srZAgrYQsQhy5sfYfeFJPrY4gpvY7222TLxGwYp9iPIGuJEoL9V68ePDmpL2s2PXF9P3JJQEjsrW2Z8ZQgHDGJ-Zgno9RmMqzClRbwjxEvuvJjpKdqF6N8lkA/s400/KidsOutside1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508381615792210034" border="0" /></a>Mama Margaret shares her passion for kids with visitors<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9qvO4brPa1TgxTcSh523fa_w7VExD9c2rjAFKRwGZPXDUFyZ6WPURqGhaLxllCPRvn7rHJYNOcZFEnf_Dg-FcWawkdnixIUJbsqxYqvY39wWFW7W5JQfF6KftTLRg3oH8QWOaxVtFv4/s1600/MargaretExplains.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9qvO4brPa1TgxTcSh523fa_w7VExD9c2rjAFKRwGZPXDUFyZ6WPURqGhaLxllCPRvn7rHJYNOcZFEnf_Dg-FcWawkdnixIUJbsqxYqvY39wWFW7W5JQfF6KftTLRg3oH8QWOaxVtFv4/s400/MargaretExplains.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508381953472694578" border="0" /></a>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-34023160886654427302010-08-03T21:19:00.000-07:002010-08-03T22:24:36.836-07:00A New Website for Tenderfeet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67tM8DulYeUiYl_2p5islKpMV8L6R2MuioHRW_kC_DMQ_b0Q1j43zVHBfU-w-EiPWhyphenhyphenhiRdjiY6skUvSczBSRkwSY06sHTm-fK2q9kMMZjD7k_McZRUA5SSC4zsSEcPacsHI9tmkBa64/s1600/NewWebPage.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67tM8DulYeUiYl_2p5islKpMV8L6R2MuioHRW_kC_DMQ_b0Q1j43zVHBfU-w-EiPWhyphenhyphenhiRdjiY6skUvSczBSRkwSY06sHTm-fK2q9kMMZjD7k_McZRUA5SSC4zsSEcPacsHI9tmkBa64/s400/NewWebPage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501409511743819618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">-</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">-</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">-</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-weight: bold;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><p style="font-weight: normal;">Tenderfeet has launched a brand new website. It brings together our blog, has some great photos of the kids, information on the school, and lots of other interesting info.</p><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bright and colorful, we think it will help people understand our mission and see what good things can be done when we all work together for the kids. Get as many people as you can to visit and learn about life in Kibera – and sign up for our newsletter too. Visit the new Tenderfeet website <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.org/">here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Note: it's the same web address as always: <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.org/">www.TenderfeetKids.org</a><br /></span></p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-weight: bold;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">I want to give a huge and special thanks to the team that put together the website -- Craig Garratt, Dan Binks, and </span><span class="gI"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Scott Sansoni. These three wonderful and creative Australian Tenderfeet friends really came through for Tenderfeet.</span></span></p><p><span class="gI"><span style="font-weight: normal;">They worked countless hours, generously shared their own resources, and most of all, demonstrated a genuine loving heart for the needy children of Tenderfeet.<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="gI"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Such a high-quality website would cost an arm and a leg if it was put together by a typical web design firm, but we are so fortunate that the Tenderfeet web team donated their amazing talents free of charge. This means that we can focus all donations on helping those sweet kids that need help the most.</span></span></p><p><span class="gI"><span style="font-weight: normal;">On behalf of Mama Margaret, the Tenderfeet Foundation board, and most of all, the Tenderfeet kids, I want to say a huge thanks to the web team!</span></span></p><p><span class="gI"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br /></span></span></p></span></span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-86955404413028514862010-07-06T07:54:00.001-07:002010-07-06T13:53:27.074-07:00Organizational Announcement and the Tenderfeet Foundation<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Tenderfeet has enjoyed a great relationship with <a href="http://lahash.net/">Lahash International</a> which started in 2005. Through the advocacy and hard work of Lahash, Tenderfeet has gone from being on the brink of closing, to enjoying a<a href="http://lahash.blogspot.com/2010/06/opening-ceremony-of-tenderfeet.html"> wonderful facility</a> to serve the children of the slums.<br /><br />It's been a challenging journey, but God has been faithful and shown His wisdom throughout. All the while, the Lahash leadership and finance team has shown the love of God through their efforts and steadfastness.<br /><br />Since 2006, most of the coordination and fundraising has taken place from Houston, Texas while the financial database and wire transfers have been handled from Portland, Oregon.<br /><br />Starting in October 2009, discussions began on spinning off the Tenderfeet portion of Lahash as a separate organization to be headquartered in Houston. In other words, all activities related to Tenderfeet would take place exclusively in Houston and handled by the new organization, rather than being spread out over two cities through Lahash.<br /><br />The goal is to increase the organizational efficiency so that both donors and the Tenderfeet project itself can be served in the best way possible.<br /><br />This organizational change is mutually agreed upon and there are nothing but positive feelings shared by all. Mama Margaret fully supports this change.<br /><br />Spinning off the new organization has been a time-consuming process, because it includes applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, setting up online donation, as well as coordinating the many steps of a transition plan. Now that process is complete.<br /><br />This new organization is called the "Tenderfeet Foundation" and has achieved 501(c)(3) status.<br /><br />The Tenderfeet Foundation will be responsible for the fundraising and partnership with Tenderfeet. It provides a mechanism through which donors can be enabled to assist in Tenderfeet's mission to serve the needy in the slums of Kenya. In terms of the sponsorship programs, the children being assisted, and the operations of the school -- nothing is changing whatsoever.<br /><br />For any current Lahash donor that wants to continue helping the school, contributions can be made through the Tenderfeet Foundation at this link: <a href="https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1003146">Tenderfeet donation</a>. The Tenderfeet Foundation will be using the same online system (Groundspring/Network for Good) that has been used by Lahash.<br /><br />To cancel your Tenderfeet sponsorship through Lahash, please log into the <a href="https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/login.php?aid=22293">account page</a> and cancel your recurring Lahash donations. Of course, if you are sponsoring Tenderfeet as well as other Lahash projects, please only cancel those contributions going to Tenderfeet. Starting in September, any donations made through Lahash will be assumed to be for Lahash programs only and will not be forwarded to Tenderfeet.<br /><br />If you would like to discuss these changes on the phone, please call me at the number 713-584-3975, or you can email me at dmitchell@lahash.net. My new email address is dax@tenderfeetkids.org and you can reach me that way as well.<br /><br />I'm glad to answer any questions or discuss any concerns.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-9996278435517572622010-05-31T14:37:00.001-07:002010-05-31T19:36:45.920-07:00Linet's Funeral<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Linet Atieno, the mother of Tenderfeet students Shally and Emmaculate, was laid to rest after her <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2010/05/aids-tragedy-comes-to-tenderfeet-again.html">tragic death</a>.<br /><br />Below are two photos of Linet's casket outside of her small one-room residence in the Kibera slums. According to Luo custom, the body was made available for viewing for neighbors and loved ones, who could come by and pay respects to the deceased and survivors. Linet's body was covered by a veil. Well-wishers could contribute to the funeral costs.<br /><br />A significant portion of the burial expenses were paid for by Tenderfeet donors, which provides a huge relief to the family. It allows Linet's children to be spared unnecessary hardship, and we are deeply grateful to those who contributed.<br /><br />The body was transported to the Nyanza Province near Lake Victoria that night. Once all the family had arrived the next day, the funeral and burial ceremonies took place in Linet's tribal homeland.<br /><br />Below is the Aunt of Linet who will become the guardian of the two girls. She is also the guardian of Tenderfeet graduate <a href="http://lahash.blogspot.com/2008/11/meet-two-kibera-boys.html">Wickliff Wesonga</a>. Emmaculate is on the left and Shally is on the right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rFuJBBgInrH9-bN9C_qF4ID_kuWbNkY7xtkOLQK6lVEafNRJBnFh6bE6aJtVf5LQhWqakrWqyAACsM8Qjutk0dAQZ9XLRBPJcJeU7Op2GgXC7DUrnqJf3soBt6NPolZKJWX0_QGVhuA/s1600/LinetGirlsAndAunt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 475px; height: 357px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rFuJBBgInrH9-bN9C_qF4ID_kuWbNkY7xtkOLQK6lVEafNRJBnFh6bE6aJtVf5LQhWqakrWqyAACsM8Qjutk0dAQZ9XLRBPJcJeU7Op2GgXC7DUrnqJf3soBt6NPolZKJWX0_QGVhuA/s400/LinetGirlsAndAunt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477551843059593442" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a photo of Mama Margaret and Teacher Karen with the two girls. Teacher Elizabeth (not shown) traveled with the family to the Nyanza Province for the funeral. She had to convince the girls' relatives that the girls should return to Nairobi. Some of their father's family wanted to relocate the girls to live in the countryside where the poverty level was very high and opportunity for education was not present. Fortunately, Elizabeth was able to reason with the family in order to find the situation best for the girls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDaxZzFT7tuDyUw8fRoez7bJ2LPn3c8H0jiRV1BDFw6UPTXTKDvj2LomP6Xg3oekhHgaswRWPISfocuusCDq2OFp2cVd83chinOV1_DzZvJnT_cSi8e2ow5fMx5X09qfCmzIAcNl_PC0/s1600/MargaretShallyEmmaKaren.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 481px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDaxZzFT7tuDyUw8fRoez7bJ2LPn3c8H0jiRV1BDFw6UPTXTKDvj2LomP6Xg3oekhHgaswRWPISfocuusCDq2OFp2cVd83chinOV1_DzZvJnT_cSi8e2ow5fMx5X09qfCmzIAcNl_PC0/s400/MargaretShallyEmmaKaren.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477551695218925106" border="0" /></a>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-37805011368043500582010-05-19T12:45:00.000-07:002010-05-19T14:04:04.616-07:00AIDS Tragedy Comes to Tenderfeet Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwhYnrA3rR-cVQwaHgFRt0ox9UliNSkLVFCm6K0knWrU-Xl50IQIfJMSl-HYQ6IxRYLQDLmTbrRoXMxa1IpAN8cD2OPxmDwKZwJ9kUpsj7W2EiuqZK5JLly-mKWgZRvrDTF_v5RJovyI/s1600/LinetAtieno.jpg.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwhYnrA3rR-cVQwaHgFRt0ox9UliNSkLVFCm6K0knWrU-Xl50IQIfJMSl-HYQ6IxRYLQDLmTbrRoXMxa1IpAN8cD2OPxmDwKZwJ9kUpsj7W2EiuqZK5JLly-mKWgZRvrDTF_v5RJovyI/s400/LinetAtieno.jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473070260334589234" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />The photo to the right shows Linet Atieno, a 24 year old widow and mother of two young girls. She is sitting next to Mama Margaret in her small one-room house in the Kibera slum.<br /><br />The two girls, Shally (4) and Emmaculate (6), attend Tenderfeet. The picture of Linet was taken recently by our friend <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2009/04/creative-fundraising.html">Craig Garratt</a> who visited her home while meeting some of the families of Tenderfeet.<br /><br />Linet passed away this week from pneumonia, her tragic death directly related to her HIV positive condition. It's a familiar and heart-breaking story, one that tragically happens over and over again.<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>In fact, Linet was an orphan herself. Her parents both were lost to AIDS, leaving her and her siblings to live with relatives. Her brother Wickliff, 10 years younger than Linet, was a student at Tenderfeet and has been <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2009/04/wickliff-goes-to-doctor.html">mentioned in previous articles</a>.<br /><br />While still a teenager, Linet got married. A few years after Shally was born, Linet's husband became ill and passed away from AIDS. He never told her about his condition, so when Linet found out she was HIV positive, it was a total surprise. Linet struggled to make a living doing whatever odd jobs she could find.<br /><br />She depended on ARV drugs to keep her healthy enough to continue working, but a recent cold and rainy spell hit Nairobi. Apparently, when she got sick with pneumonia, it came on fast and she didn't take action in time.<br /><br />If the Tenderfeet team would have known, they might could have saved Linet. It breaks my heart to say that she suffered and passed away in silence.<br /><br />Linet belongs to the Luo tribe, who have very <a href="http://www.africa.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kiroku/asm_normal/abstracts/pdf/18-3&4/18-3&4%20213-228.pdf">strict customs about burial</a>. Luos believe that those who have died must be transported to their homeland near Lake Victoria for burial.<br /><br />This means in practical terms that the family must fundraise to afford the hundreds of dollars for the transportation and burial of the body. It will be a severe strain on an already terribly stressed family. If you would like to help, please click <a href="https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=22293">here</a> and enter "Linet" in the Donation Destination.<br /><br />Any assistance would be a huge blessing to the girls.<br /><br />Below is a photo of the two girls left behind, Shally is on the left and Emmaculate ("Emma") on the right. It was taken about one year ago during the "<a href="http://lahash.blogspot.com/2009/06/day-of-african-child-2009.html">Day of the African Child</a>" event.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfu3SBWULTlN_hlV9Jh2Qf8xZNyDIUDUDLS5e2q0X2RWztXeki9jsLpk8GXDpRCLZQOF-HzA0MVlQDfUNNDxzlnB2BBI5mgr6dLSANCDsWAc1-lfApTKKCLbWcUdUj-9dTatkKOGXmcY/s1600/ShallyAndEmma.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfu3SBWULTlN_hlV9Jh2Qf8xZNyDIUDUDLS5e2q0X2RWztXeki9jsLpk8GXDpRCLZQOF-HzA0MVlQDfUNNDxzlnB2BBI5mgr6dLSANCDsWAc1-lfApTKKCLbWcUdUj-9dTatkKOGXmcY/s400/ShallyAndEmma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473081358193270514" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-89498571180908377722010-05-04T10:07:00.001-07:002010-05-04T10:21:55.554-07:00May School Updates<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />The second term of school started today. We are just about ready to move in to the new school building. Lahash representative Edwin Angote took a series of photographs of the new building. <br /><br />All that remains is to plaster and paint the walls, install the glass in the windows, and finish some of the floors. Of course, there will also need to be some cleanup of the construction materials, but that won't take long.<br /><br />Tenderfeet's wonderful partner, the <a href="http://www.collettefoundation.org/">Collette Foundation</a>, has remained steadfast in providing the funding for the construction all the way to the finish line.<br /><br />In Riruta, the church where Tenderfeet has been located has agreed to let the children remain for a few more days until the building is complete.<br /><br />In Kibera, the government has <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/50-000-kenyans-living-467336.html">promised to demolish the buildings</a> along the railroad tracks -- including Tenderfeet. However, the actions have been delayed because they are expecting a huge backlash, including riots and looting. So we will try to keep the Kibera school going at least for the next few weeks as the story of the railroad tracks unfolds.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more updates soon.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqNAOmXD5UFsFZ4ItuwPOYQ8kngnw-Cm1FoCFgBg3mh9laoEln4CPf-OGHxs-4Vb0eI0R34KMZfmYxexRJCWLzvVxTjne9wrza8oZNgUXGHpXiAiecRg-EuyE3U1TMujLZgpFZvnfYLE/s1600/edu_107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqNAOmXD5UFsFZ4ItuwPOYQ8kngnw-Cm1FoCFgBg3mh9laoEln4CPf-OGHxs-4Vb0eI0R34KMZfmYxexRJCWLzvVxTjne9wrza8oZNgUXGHpXiAiecRg-EuyE3U1TMujLZgpFZvnfYLE/s400/edu_107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467463087056258258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZpHzFzYyR-A-QDOI1bxYcDe5RdLw74T7ZMYkS01WLps0mkZ1RFsrldsf3ghJFL8JqFgEuw46rm9x3AgVhZ8pMIp3kbaV8z4eGlwL1ePtI797yUWISujDjCHtzS9ykx0KM4hq-cWNTxk/s1600/edu_103.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZpHzFzYyR-A-QDOI1bxYcDe5RdLw74T7ZMYkS01WLps0mkZ1RFsrldsf3ghJFL8JqFgEuw46rm9x3AgVhZ8pMIp3kbaV8z4eGlwL1ePtI797yUWISujDjCHtzS9ykx0KM4hq-cWNTxk/s400/edu_103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467463003458502146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI3xLQoLe8VQP7x43SOdGCBl-sjrOoNQIIHo3uL_jUO3WwNEV7SqPyse5r9KxkpffruNe7pjrLLuH5ia55IXg7MPEqnQHTYXw0_1VuHdMdfSVfuSKUF103M3EU_2hvbp7oGiMbIX5DUw/s1600/edu_101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI3xLQoLe8VQP7x43SOdGCBl-sjrOoNQIIHo3uL_jUO3WwNEV7SqPyse5r9KxkpffruNe7pjrLLuH5ia55IXg7MPEqnQHTYXw0_1VuHdMdfSVfuSKUF103M3EU_2hvbp7oGiMbIX5DUw/s400/edu_101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467462954340755682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj069BWkL2ld8MyOBLRmhgWAtdqQIhxw7cbw58ZqShC5HwRaDXkEVUaZfOvGxdpIwKjmgGNmURe9chD8kLjPHKU1HEyOpjDPZH2kabEKwkjvQ2WJUT-_XCc1n6IJk4aFPbgUnnZJ9zqEGA/s1600/edu_099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj069BWkL2ld8MyOBLRmhgWAtdqQIhxw7cbw58ZqShC5HwRaDXkEVUaZfOvGxdpIwKjmgGNmURe9chD8kLjPHKU1HEyOpjDPZH2kabEKwkjvQ2WJUT-_XCc1n6IJk4aFPbgUnnZJ9zqEGA/s400/edu_099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467462893815437490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTApKcBy1BfbVobQkrleZpM_yhukuft5FaArOLhR7vAFgC5SttcU_9xmeB-iJX2dKS8p62yedJ65dEk2Fe7-hl_ewiB0dFjLHiAz-DUcytpq7qxtpBFtqihJk8zHmp_ZEslYwION9pYL0/s1600/edu_097.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTApKcBy1BfbVobQkrleZpM_yhukuft5FaArOLhR7vAFgC5SttcU_9xmeB-iJX2dKS8p62yedJ65dEk2Fe7-hl_ewiB0dFjLHiAz-DUcytpq7qxtpBFtqihJk8zHmp_ZEslYwION9pYL0/s400/edu_097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467462822721356738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieig15W71Ijrd7Nva0k27T3BD-AKCgGbKXbtNkohKTIljQDvg7udI8caq6FQpFvmoxIdutWPVfDAi1sz_pzeWQT9E0y_M3BYumal5pZq2lALH_GZlwjCsu3LbJVc_5LOUGC_UOA2ZOW94/s1600/edu_095.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieig15W71Ijrd7Nva0k27T3BD-AKCgGbKXbtNkohKTIljQDvg7udI8caq6FQpFvmoxIdutWPVfDAi1sz_pzeWQT9E0y_M3BYumal5pZq2lALH_GZlwjCsu3LbJVc_5LOUGC_UOA2ZOW94/s400/edu_095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467462770161728194" border="0" /></a>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-90713622913270267862010-04-10T05:13:00.001-07:002010-05-07T08:16:20.997-07:00Esther's New Family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCWbIt28qvrnKwGVtRZcD8dJD2HxNfqhrCfHgsza0xiAKM3jvXRTTDwQLTpYXzo7Iv564ph5ipb_NXpOodIsukc6FEBn0bKc9bJHz7SXNWleWex9Rfl9d77ItmibqROxIcST2huLAeYg/s1600/DaxAndEsther.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCWbIt28qvrnKwGVtRZcD8dJD2HxNfqhrCfHgsza0xiAKM3jvXRTTDwQLTpYXzo7Iv564ph5ipb_NXpOodIsukc6FEBn0bKc9bJHz7SXNWleWex9Rfl9d77ItmibqROxIcST2huLAeYg/s400/DaxAndEsther.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458481071773485026" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Esther Ngina is a 6 year-old orphan girl who has had many challenges in her life.<br /><br />As you can see from the photo, she's just a little one, but she has a lot of heart for such a small person.<br /><br />Her story unfolds as a series of heartbreaking events, much like a Charles Dickens novel.<br /><br />Her mother and father had separated when she was an infant and she remained with her mother.<br /><br />Sadly, Esther's mother passed away when she was a toddler, and she was taken to live with her father.<br /><br />Esther's father was not a responsible parent and ended up abandoning Esther and she was taken by relatives to live with her grandmother.<br /><br />In 2007, when Esther was only 4 years old, her grandmother passed away. At that point, she went to stay with a single Aunt who already had two children of her own.<br /><br />The Aunt was very harsh and unkind with Esther and gave her many unreasonable chores and responsibilities. When I visited last year, I spent some time at Esther's one-room shack and saw as she bravely handled a lot of the household duties that could have been more fairly shared amongst other members of the family.<br /><br />She had no toys or dolls, but when she played, she would play with a piece of broken mirror or empty matchbox.<br /><br />Mama Margaret reported that during this time, Esther often came to school hungry and in tears because of missed meals. We were soon fortunate to find a sponsor for Esther, which helped a lot with the physical struggles she was having -- now she could get the meals she needed.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the emotional and spiritual challenges remained, because of the harsh environment she endured as long as Esther continued living with her Aunt. After trying to improve the situation for some time, Margaret convinced the family to allow Esther to live with another set of relatives, an Aunt and Uncle nearby.<br /><br />Although it was a slight improvement, the Uncle was an alcoholic and eventually the Aunt left him, taking her two young children as well as running off with Esther's school uniform and few belongings. This left Esther living alone with an alcoholic who was out late every night, by herself without any security. During this time, she fell victim to chiggers, ringworms, and lice.<br /><br />Margaret had tried all along to work with Esther's family for her wellbeing, but it became clear she had to intervene. Working with the community child protection office, Margaret was able to find a new home for Esther, living with Margaret's brother Bernard and his family. All her problems with ringworms and other issues have been treated and fixed.<br /><br />Though he struggles financially -- through no fault of his own -- Bernard is a hard-working and responsible person, with a wonderful wife and young son that is Esther's age and they have become like brother and sister. Esther now has the family she has always deserved.<br /><br />Thanks to the child sponsorship program, Tenderfeet has been able to assist with Esther's living expenses and transportation to school. Below is Esther in the black shirt, with her new family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVu7T6Xz1Yn7jQW5V90LpFgwXe9sIf9PaNyQgwyeRK4anxTMnl_fKF8juu4XyBUbPeQmn_IrvnRUPRY42Evqc0pSfRvMhBhufvi8fROXhGAaZJc1bcrslW2nUkJYBqlkrP1fk172ujq0/s1600/EstherWithNewFamily.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVu7T6Xz1Yn7jQW5V90LpFgwXe9sIf9PaNyQgwyeRK4anxTMnl_fKF8juu4XyBUbPeQmn_IrvnRUPRY42Evqc0pSfRvMhBhufvi8fROXhGAaZJc1bcrslW2nUkJYBqlkrP1fk172ujq0/s400/EstherWithNewFamily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461340790581802578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCmceMyVaZWrN8hoOmJHtT3VCja97jIke8IdE7HHzbsrb5WLSm9twbYbdBVoOImY9IY_m8k_TskAyeoIJWmdx7uLhSsLoJN0mU3hdtz7xaaTD6qp77ce0VCum4WSJXskvcNlb2RBbDqM/s1600/EstherWithNewFamily-Feb2010+-+Copy.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QxL077ugmnFOq-UoLqLtGq1WOG6c_76j2r1g7pzGXazEuY1M1Gz-xGH9wX8xVhlDQwKJ4a-dIB-E2F-qthTBIwp8CjZ9zsFYxU1u9w7rRxOIhKE0vBLulTMqsMBGiCMvpMF6aFFVLCM/s1600/EstherWithNewFamily.jpg"><br /></a>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-80486295804528357272010-03-12T22:52:00.000-08:002010-03-12T23:47:30.360-08:00Bushrangers To The Rescue<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />The students of Busselton Senior High School in Australia have been wonderful friends to Tenderfeet. Last August they did a <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2009/08/high-schoolers-with-big-hearts.html">fundraiser</a> that was a tremendous help to the Tenderfeet kids.<br /><br />Busselton High has a group of students with special challenges. This group has its classes on the school campus, which enables these kids to be an important part of the school community.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGQNv_H6u3mmfNsgYTpSbtiNxZtGEQ2uUDkJpfx6kABF520JH2FNnyBOyFpFA7uN8ZHhsY1DUhyphenhyphenzzxzAM36WdqHvCINeHF-9-qOCPqLCHapmpq0i90LFt8EJasLI9He4eqYKZ1YH7ae0/s1600-h/GeographeBushRangers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 438px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGQNv_H6u3mmfNsgYTpSbtiNxZtGEQ2uUDkJpfx6kABF520JH2FNnyBOyFpFA7uN8ZHhsY1DUhyphenhyphenzzxzAM36WdqHvCINeHF-9-qOCPqLCHapmpq0i90LFt8EJasLI9He4eqYKZ1YH7ae0/s400/GeographeBushRangers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448019456496449954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Many of these special students belong to an extra-curricular activity group called the Geographe Bushrangers (see photo right). It is similar to a Scouts organization. Bushrangers, like Scouts, participate in activities in nature, camping, and hiking.<br /><br /><a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2009/04/creative-fundraising.html">Craig Garratt</a>, one of Tenderfeet's great friends in Australia, gave a talk at Busselton High on what life was like in Kibera. When the Bushrangers heard about Tenderfeet, they rallied to the cause.<br /><br />About the same time, the Bushrangers were planning to undertake a walk along a well-known outdoor trail, the Cape to Cape track which stretches from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin and is about 135 kms long.<br /><br />The Bushrangers decided to use this opportunity to help Tenderfeet, and planned a mammoth fundraising effort entirely on their own. In particular, they headed out on the Cape to Cape Trail and covered 50 kms (31 mi) over three days after getting sponsorship for the walk. Please see photos below for a few snapshots of their hike.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcJpAqfLiYoT5uIJn7dvCGCzezQPmkwwnzSmjLoH9CcwqWWDm539NOHU9-P_aRGi9gbGCmntQtmgXnCYLSDECSVoS-JL4Rvg3H0l9WZ_KcRFqOw6Dik5ztr6vhrJ5IbXloCsbZssmoHI/s1600-h/GeographeBushRangersHike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcJpAqfLiYoT5uIJn7dvCGCzezQPmkwwnzSmjLoH9CcwqWWDm539NOHU9-P_aRGi9gbGCmntQtmgXnCYLSDECSVoS-JL4Rvg3H0l9WZ_KcRFqOw6Dik5ztr6vhrJ5IbXloCsbZssmoHI/s400/GeographeBushRangersHike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448019832768998018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsg06m1alwkJN5sN1fSef_FYXzDOccYzmM5mgB_TqHGpzSl7EpMDKiKU0dWxSwQZkIsfFGhPYIWoTCP7YMewgsQzDc8IkFc8JLUDgMm-GuSPRNxU1MS6ZL0yB_DSQXxScUO2lgjjTJJw/s1600-h/GeographeBushRangersBeach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsg06m1alwkJN5sN1fSef_FYXzDOccYzmM5mgB_TqHGpzSl7EpMDKiKU0dWxSwQZkIsfFGhPYIWoTCP7YMewgsQzDc8IkFc8JLUDgMm-GuSPRNxU1MS6ZL0yB_DSQXxScUO2lgjjTJJw/s400/GeographeBushRangersBeach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448020040981998482" border="0" /></a><br />The funds they raised have helped tremendously both with the Tenderfeet school as well as the special situation of<a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2010/01/shadrack-updates.html"> Shadrack's medical assistance</a>.<br /><br />Isn't it amazing to see true heroes like the Bushrangers come to the aid of orphans and needy children?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-43509893687371822842010-01-16T20:57:00.000-08:002010-03-12T22:56:13.451-08:00Shadrack Updates<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE:WEDNESDAY MARCH 10<br /></span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></strong></span><span>Wonderful news! Shadrack is now speaking and able to swallow a bit as well.<br /><br />Margaret even quizzed him a little and his memory is strong.</span> Thank you for your continued prayers and concern.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />UPDATE: SATURDAY FEB 27<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Yesterday, Shadrack was at long last discharged from the hospital. He still has a tough road ahead as he recovers from his stroke-like symptoms.<br /><br />Shadrack has difficulty getting around, and cannot speak or swallow. However, the doctors feel that he no longer needs to be in the hospital, because the abscess drainage issue has been addressed with the two brain surgeries.<br /><br />A wheelchair was purchased and Shaddy will receive home nursing assistance for the next three months. Over that time, the home nurse will help with the feeding and Shadrack is expected to continue his recovery.<br /><br />Thank you for your prayers, concern, and financial assistance. His life has literally been saved because of such wonderful friends and the contributions to his medical care. Additional donations will help with the ongoing care for Shadrack.<br /><br />Below is a picture of Shadrack in the hospital wheelchair, and his new wheelchair is to the left. Mama Margaret and his grandmother are standing behind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeRTVYprSlRS_Yq_6aO83qmb9hbiW13ghPLTxEKryNDptx429VaYilbhQdEy3O6VjiGhepGzuHkiJYYFg6yZ3Itz5mL5mvlevYGSvGadzcFvputdlcFEAWghdctaHkeP_XgTFzvv_Q-4/s1600-h/Shadrack-GrandmaAndMargaret-Feb26-2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeRTVYprSlRS_Yq_6aO83qmb9hbiW13ghPLTxEKryNDptx429VaYilbhQdEy3O6VjiGhepGzuHkiJYYFg6yZ3Itz5mL5mvlevYGSvGadzcFvputdlcFEAWghdctaHkeP_XgTFzvv_Q-4/s400/Shadrack-GrandmaAndMargaret-Feb26-2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443068758354603618" border="0" /></a><br />Below is Shadrack with a welcome smile and his grandmother in the vehicle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DbOunkCK9uiVmecTNSMrb06sq_2MXZk4YLViHd2G9ED9z8Rz2wS6RJZqplGIOsqpuZ3-NCe547jBOUuEWl7FuSLAhO__SqYXqH8Uy2rcO0KlHf-zsry_mc-BtDBDaBZ3SSZQi_-Lm6w/s1600-h/ShadrackAndGrandma-Feb27-2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DbOunkCK9uiVmecTNSMrb06sq_2MXZk4YLViHd2G9ED9z8Rz2wS6RJZqplGIOsqpuZ3-NCe547jBOUuEWl7FuSLAhO__SqYXqH8Uy2rcO0KlHf-zsry_mc-BtDBDaBZ3SSZQi_-Lm6w/s400/ShadrackAndGrandma-Feb27-2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443068825931767922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: TUESDAY FEB 23<br /></span></strong></span><br />Today Mama Odoyo visited Shadrack, he is making a bit of progress every day. They have started him on a program of physical therapy, and he was trying his best to do activities like squeeze a ball in his hand.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz48KqIWtbIA3eS8haxJ9VHByxfigp9NSd7IMJaPx1LVGnUnLrXI2VI6JRfbRjzodcKFlRoK4vnrFyHtks_Q1Kf1T5E0jsQc8E38myMuLh4gtww2a9-PhFglkH0kYeWOeJzNheiIXJoJw/s1600-h/Shadrack-Feb20-2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz48KqIWtbIA3eS8haxJ9VHByxfigp9NSd7IMJaPx1LVGnUnLrXI2VI6JRfbRjzodcKFlRoK4vnrFyHtks_Q1Kf1T5E0jsQc8E38myMuLh4gtww2a9-PhFglkH0kYeWOeJzNheiIXJoJw/s400/Shadrack-Feb20-2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440449259576706882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Shadrack is supposed to be released from the hospital soon. Even though he has not recovered fully, they believe he is ready to transition to home care.<br /><br />His symptoms resemble those of a stroke victim and hopefully, in time, he'll be as good as new.<br /><br />We also got the medical bill summary. After 5 weeks in the hospital, plus an MRI and two brain surgeries, the bill has gotten quite big.<br /><br />Right now, we have an $800 deficit just to cover the existing bill. Follow-up care, including medicine and doctor's visits, is expected to reach an estimated $1000 in the next month or so.<br /><br />If you would like to contribute, any amount would help tremendously. To make a donation, please click <a href="https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=22293">here</a>. You can fill out the form (with your donation amount) as you see below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YvchvI_BiYekyGlPUiUuu1DHIRUFY_-RidvkqnEgjBrsvgqj1JzZlfP4yfurtizUvD2S1e-23-KTx42IdreuMkrCr9Qc8g9efZzEHiUH8td-ilbD3WOnKBBU2V_bRdb6PxGosCHdXFY/s1600-h/ShadrackDonation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YvchvI_BiYekyGlPUiUuu1DHIRUFY_-RidvkqnEgjBrsvgqj1JzZlfP4yfurtizUvD2S1e-23-KTx42IdreuMkrCr9Qc8g9efZzEHiUH8td-ilbD3WOnKBBU2V_bRdb6PxGosCHdXFY/s400/ShadrackDonation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441576047736819730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: SUNDAY FEB 20<br /></span></strong></span><br />Mama Margaret writes:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Today I visited Shaddy and we put him on a wheel chair and took some pictures which I have attached.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Though he can't communicate he can hear and smile. He's still being fed through nose. I told him to smile while I took the pictures and he tried so there is hope he will be well."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></strong></span>Shadrack will have a CT scan early next week to see if the blood clot in his brain has dissolved.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />UPDATE: WEDNESDAY FEB 17<br /><br /></span></strong></span>No major change today, Shadrack is still in the hospital.<br /><br />Mama Margaret visited today and said Shadrack is still being fed through a nose tube and cannot speak.<br /><br />She was heartened that when she sang him some of his favorite songs, he smiled and his face brightened.<br /><br />Thank you for your continued prayers and concern.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: SUNDAY FEB 14<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Mama Margaret visited today and said Shadrack is the same as on Friday. They are encouraged because he is out of the coma and hoping for more improvement.<br /><br />He will continue taking blood thinners for several more days to ensure that the clot is completely dissolved.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: FRIDAY FEB 12<br /><br /></span></strong></span>The first good news in a while -- Shadrack woke up today and was able to move around a little.<br /><br />Although he wasn't able to speak, he could hear and seemed to understand what he was being told. When Mama Margaret asked him how he was doing, he reached out his arms and showed he understood.<br /><br />Margaret could not track down any doctors, but the nurses are assuring Margaret that we need to be patient, and that they are expecting him to recover fully.<br /><br />Thank you for your continued concern and prayers for Shadrack. Please continue to pray for his progress, and also for his grandmother who has been with him for almost a month in the hospital.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />UPDATE: THURSDAY FEB 11<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Shadrack is still in a coma. There was concern about bleeding from the nose. If I understand correctly, they have started to attack the blood clot with medication.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGqqaiaUqkzNeBmaFmNEglYGURkcu0k0ccegdWKvUIJz8ns6LYcbVmvxi0jnkXC2xMe1nR7NsbQ2lad-bxxkEQoTNTlOjhYubAX_FCzUS5FBKUGiPQnOt2XZdH_1SddSUy6QAzp2DU1w/s1600-h/ShadrackAndFriendsAtTreeside_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGqqaiaUqkzNeBmaFmNEglYGURkcu0k0ccegdWKvUIJz8ns6LYcbVmvxi0jnkXC2xMe1nR7NsbQ2lad-bxxkEQoTNTlOjhYubAX_FCzUS5FBKUGiPQnOt2XZdH_1SddSUy6QAzp2DU1w/s400/ShadrackAndFriendsAtTreeside_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437006420619007970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mama Margaret keeps saying the doctors want us to be patient. We all feel helpless, but Margaret says all we can do is keep praying and have him in our thoughts and hearts.<br /><br />The above right picture was taken last year at the Treeside school with some of his friends.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: TUESDAY FEB 9<br /><br /></span></strong></span>The situation remains very critical.<br /><br />Shadrack is still in a coma being fed through the nostrils.<br /><br />The MRI scan shows that there is a blood clot in the brain. The doctors are planning to try to remove it through medication. If it doesn't work, they will perform another surgery.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />UPDATE: MONDAY FEB 8</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></strong></span>The situation has remained very serious, with Shadrack still unresponsive today. The doctors decided to transport him by ambulance to a major Nairobi hospital so that an MRI scan could be done.<br /><br />The hope is the scan will reveal why the recovery is not going as smoothly as expected.<br /><br />The results should be back in the next day or two, and at that point we should hopefully know more.<br /><br />Right now all we can do is wait and pray.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: SATURDAY FEB 6<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Mama Odoyo visited Shadrack today. He's still non-responsive. They tried to feed him through a tube in his nose, but were unsuccessful.<br /><br />Margaret was explaining more to me today regarding the purpose of the surgically-implanted tube.<br /><br />It goes inside his body from Shadrack's brain to stomach, and is supposed to stay in long-term, maybe for the rest of his life. That will ensure that the fluid will never build up again. She said that the doctor's have done this procedure numerous times successfully.<br /><br />Now it's just a matter of waiting and praying for his recovery.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: FRIDAY FEB 5<br /><br /></span></strong></span>The doctors were able to regulate Shadrack's temperature as the week progressed.<br /><br />They also started having Shadrack do some walking around and stretching to counter the problems with being in a bed for two weeks.<br /><br />The plan was to have a new tube inserted yesterday going from Shadrack's brain to stomach. I received the following update from Mama Margaret through text message. I tried to call a bit later but couldn't get through because of network problems.<br /><br />Mama Margaret says: <span style="font-style: italic;">"I am on my way back from Kijabe. They fixed the tube yesterday evening. Ever since, he can't communicate, see, swallow, or move any part of the body. He is on a drip. The doctor said we will observe him for three days and he will be OK. But my heart is broken when watching Shaddy laying helpless and unconscious. I can't stop shedding tears."</span><br /><br />Let's hope that Shadrack recovers as the doctors have indicated. Thank you for your prayers for Shadrack and those helping him.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: MONDAY FEB 1<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Because his temperature was too high and the doctors couldn't get it down, the surgery planned for today was postponed.<br /><br />Hopefully, they can control it better tomorrow and finish the procedure.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: SUNDAY JAN 31<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Shadrack is getting stronger and is continuing in his recovery. He's now been in the hospital for two weeks.<br /><br />Tomorrow, he will be in the operating room while they connect the tube from his brain to his stomach to help more with the drainage.<br /><br />We still don't know for sure when he will be released. Thank you for the prayers and concern for Shadrack.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: THURSDAY JAN 28<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Mama Margaret visited Shadrack today. He has been moved to another ward, which is a sign of progress.<br /><br />He is weak and cannot sit up for long, but overall feels OK. The tests came back and everything is as the doctors hoped.<br /><br />Now they are going to have the tube run from his brain to (get ready) his stomach, where the drainage will take place though his digestive system. It sounds like nothing I've heard of before, but apparently this is something they do in the later stages of this kind of situation.<br /><br />Shadrack's grandmother is still with him and doing well. Mama Margaret says she prays and reads the Bible throughout the day and is a pillar of strength despite her own poor health.<br /><br />Shadrack is expected to be in the hospital for approximately another week, though a lot of things can change. The doctors want to stabilize his temperature and complete the drainage before he will be released.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: WEDNESDAY JAN 27<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Shadrack is still in the hospital. The doctors got a sample of fluid from his brain and have sent it off for tests. We are expecting the tests to come back today or tomorrow.<br /><br />He is feeling well, though he has setbacks like stomach problems or his temperature fluctuates. Depending on the tests and whether he becomes more stabilized with the setbacks, he will hopefully be released before too long.<br /><br />Mama Margaret has been in Kisii the past several days for a funeral. She will be visiting Shadrack tomorrow.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: FRIDAY JAN 22<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Good news, Shadrack is making progress. Although the tube has not yet been removed, the fluid is now draining clear. This is showing the doctors that the bacteria is out of the brain.<br /><br />Also, Shadrack was able to stand up and even walk a little. While he was in the hospital in Kisumu, he couldn't even stand.<br /><br />We don't know yet when he will be released, but hopefully we will know in the next few days. Please find a picture of Shadrack, right, with Tenderfeet's social worker, Dorothy Odoyo.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: TUESDAY JAN 19<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Here are some pictures taken of Shadrack. The first one, you can see clearly the drainage tube and some of the fluid that has been drained.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9pFvP8EoD8d9cOn8gAlPXxiBcMWZRA956naAYPqFmz8ViKyIEaKdfMpI17bkYHN-9IGa2YLXBY6vYWzmyLVQMlyZhw9n_JWVQl6jcebuQQniRFwUhYfaSrtrbgz4T-vqWwfhubgtrUc/s1600-h/ShadrackInHospital-Jan-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9pFvP8EoD8d9cOn8gAlPXxiBcMWZRA956naAYPqFmz8ViKyIEaKdfMpI17bkYHN-9IGa2YLXBY6vYWzmyLVQMlyZhw9n_JWVQl6jcebuQQniRFwUhYfaSrtrbgz4T-vqWwfhubgtrUc/s400/ShadrackInHospital-Jan-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428441085289420146" border="0" /></a>Below is Mama Margaret with Shadrack<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AeEJCHKeQ36uhfZ4Q2KZ94Oy99_tv9OZwVaPUEWK1VZvo9VFMjKGL7GCwX4WjD1v0EVTT7qByzwLokeIlQDQEe-giqLOu-xi_D24KfHNipig_TwSXfFctNx6zWzmy299eBsyTfApUv0/s1600-h/ShadrackWithMamaMargaret-Jan-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AeEJCHKeQ36uhfZ4Q2KZ94Oy99_tv9OZwVaPUEWK1VZvo9VFMjKGL7GCwX4WjD1v0EVTT7qByzwLokeIlQDQEe-giqLOu-xi_D24KfHNipig_TwSXfFctNx6zWzmy299eBsyTfApUv0/s400/ShadrackWithMamaMargaret-Jan-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428441199578761874" border="0" /></a>This is Shadrack's grandmother<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJcCJ1Mib5LxzP80kUqTS8XEdo488AW_mfkhrj8_dWe78L7k9vwy-2jC89oG_5ct4hmBJnqxOq98jWc8FuhOfGQiMOKEbZ5paXbws4KSSuGxrJ9YVDiBQzJhR19g2qiDLhjX5S25waWk/s1600-h/ShadrackWithGrandmother-Jan-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJcCJ1Mib5LxzP80kUqTS8XEdo488AW_mfkhrj8_dWe78L7k9vwy-2jC89oG_5ct4hmBJnqxOq98jWc8FuhOfGQiMOKEbZ5paXbws4KSSuGxrJ9YVDiBQzJhR19g2qiDLhjX5S25waWk/s400/ShadrackWithGrandmother-Jan-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428441132994006114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--<br /></span></span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: MONDAY JAN 18<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Mama Margaret and Mama Odoyo (Tenderfeet's new social worker) traveled to Kijabe today. It's about 2 hours each way. Margaret wanted to send photos but the network is too slow.<br /><br />Shadrack is doing well, all things considered. The drainage tube is still inserted, so far 1 liter (34 oz) of fluid has been drained. The fluid has a lot of bacteria and is blood-tainted. The tube may be removed in the next day or two.<br /><br />The doctors believe Shadrack may have fallen or had an accidental bump to the back of the head -- accompanied by an infection -- that triggered this abscess. Whereas the first one in 2007 was on the left side of his head, this one is on the right. The doctors believe he will not need further surgery in the future.<br /><br />They believe all these problems can be traced to meningitis that Shadrack had as a baby.<br /><br />Shaddy can speak and knows Mama Margaret, but can't remember many other things. She asked, "do you remember Ezra?" Shadrack said, "I don't know who Ezra is." Ezra is Mama Margaret's youngest child, and has been Shadrack's playmate for the past 3 years. It is possible that his memory will return over time, though.<br /><br />We don't know how long he will be in the hospital, but the nurses and doctors are very kind and friendly. Shadrack's grandmother is staying with him in the hospital, though she herself is not in great health. Mama Odoyo made the grandmother a nice yummy meal, and Mama Margaret left some money to buy food.<br /><br />They discussed how Shadrack's aunt abandoned him in 2007, and the grandmother was ashamed of her family for what happened and said if her own health had not been so poor, she would have gladly taken Shadrack in.<br /><br />Tomorrow, Margaret's 18-year old daughter Winnie will go with Teacher Karen to visit Shadrack. Hopefully, we will have some good news tomorrow and photos will be coming as well. Thank you for your continued prayers.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE: SATURDAY JAN 16</span></strong></span><br /><br />Shadrack left last night from Kisumu by ambulance. He arrived early in the morning at Kijabe and had the brain surgery today at 11:00 AM Kenya time (9 hours ahead of central time). Big thanks go to Dan for getting the wire done on such short notice.<br /><br />Margaret visited at Kijabe and they had inserted a tube into Shaddy's brain to continue the drainage. His grandmother (I didn't know she was living) will be staying in the hospital with him.<br /><br />He was awake and talking to Margaret, though he was still pretty confused overall. Margaret couldn't talk to the doctors today, and the nurses weren't able to give her a lot of information. I asked a ton of questions, but mostly we won't know much until the doctors talk to Margaret.<br /><br />All things considered, I think we are fortunate but now it is day by day. Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for Shadrack.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-66763562417402575882010-01-14T05:48:00.000-08:002010-01-14T06:33:16.744-08:00Shadrack's Emergency Situation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyEF4pVwFksLZlhcNEs4tdf9y1LnYbg3mW5-2PXtLO7S-x9OgjYFjSeHx56tWoyWz8TMkGgs6wt7hT_NBKH8sN2X3fO-KbEFhH12RkLWqtmvm54tXbEhiVzEQDpvWUaJcJDXAJBN6c64/s1600-h/ShadrackAuntMargaret.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyEF4pVwFksLZlhcNEs4tdf9y1LnYbg3mW5-2PXtLO7S-x9OgjYFjSeHx56tWoyWz8TMkGgs6wt7hT_NBKH8sN2X3fO-KbEFhH12RkLWqtmvm54tXbEhiVzEQDpvWUaJcJDXAJBN6c64/s400/ShadrackAuntMargaret.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426592284050245106" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br /><a href="http://helpshadrack.org/">Shadrack Otieno</a> (see photo, taken a few weeks ago) is a very special and beloved boy in the Tenderfeet family.<br /><br />He is having a medical crisis right now, requiring brain surgery. You can read the full story below.<br /><br />If you want to help, please donate at <a href="https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=22293">this link</a>. Please make sure to type "Shadrack" in the "Donation Destination" box. All funds received will go exclusively to Shadrack's medical needs.<br /><br />To see how to fill out the donation options, please scroll down for a screenshot.<br /><br />Shadrack is an orphan who first came to Tenderfeet in 2006. At that time, he suffered terribly from seizures, headaches, and nosebleeds.<br /><br />He was diagnosed with a brain abscess in late 2006. In March 2007, thanks to some <a href="http://helpshadrack.org/getting_involved.html">amazing friends</a>, he had a life-saving surgery.<br /><br />Sadly, he was abandoned by his guardian while he was in the hospital. Mama Margaret became his legal guardian and he has been cared for by her ever since. He recovered completely from the surgery and has been doing great for the past three years.<br /><br />His ongoing medical care and educational expenses have been sponsored by a wonderful youth group, <a href="http://corbyscastle.com/">Corby's Castle</a>.<br /><br />Over the past six months, some of Shadrack's relatives have reached out and wanted to have him come visit. These aren't the same relatives that abandoned him, and so Margaret arranged for Shadrack's Aunt Ruth (photo above, on the right) to come pick him up in Nairobi and escort him back to the Kisumu area over the Christmas holiday.<br /><br />When Shadrack got to his family's home, he became very ill. Initially, it was believed he was suffering from Malaria. But his condition worsened, and he has had severe headaches and now cannot walk. He is now in critical condition.<br /><br />A CT scan was done and another abscess was detected. The doctors are recommending he have another surgery to treat the problem. He will be transported by ambulance to <a href="http://www.kijabehospital.org/">Kijabe hospital</a>, near Nairobi. Kijabe is a top-notch and highly respected hospital that has provided great treatment for <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2009/09/lucy-is-going-home.html">Lucy</a>.<br /><br />The surgery and related medical costs are expected to be approximately $3500, which is roughly the same cost as the first surgery. For a brain surgery, at least by American standards, it's relatively inexpensive.<br /><br />However, it is still a tremendous amount of money for a small project like Tenderfeet. Any assistance you can provide will be deeply appreciated.<br /><br />To help save Shadrack, please click <a href="https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=22293">here</a> or on the image below. You can donate any amount, but $50 is shown in the image just as an example. Thank you for your prayers and concern.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=22293"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3urCr2ysF3vBKYWRs9zBVf5cvQJUzE7lhHp19KaDunF5FZI9fxXX6Y3oCkna3YG4SnI6s4es0GKdE3yRxSIXpee1ljbXb-HIW_MLMdvdQRKF3pMRFXhrbYTEEhmkceiftxr_UNuQJ0g/s400/ShadrackDonation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426597408706291298" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-41481892135351244712010-01-08T04:51:00.000-08:002010-01-08T05:29:58.995-08:00First Week of School<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrXmiEFu7_jE6talcka0fwksz4fSS-XF3vVCysPyPI9ANvy6JutNNRFtHivFGANjIMEgge6z1EKmlhCX4jvBhYe-N6tj-8Izp2OLeUEyW9ooLKlqzPlPAur6eSZiwNXhZ-Tq030sqyQE/s1600-h/NancyMoraa-Oct2009-reduced.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrXmiEFu7_jE6talcka0fwksz4fSS-XF3vVCysPyPI9ANvy6JutNNRFtHivFGANjIMEgge6z1EKmlhCX4jvBhYe-N6tj-8Izp2OLeUEyW9ooLKlqzPlPAur6eSZiwNXhZ-Tq030sqyQE/s400/NancyMoraa-Oct2009-reduced.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424351816215367634" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />This past week may be the most hectic week of the entire year at Tenderfeet. The school year begins for Kenyans in January, and that makes for a busy schedule helping children in transition.<br /><br />Tenderfeet is assisting four new girls in their secondary education. They are Nancy Moraa (pictured right, she is the youngest sister of <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2009/11/tenderfeet-profiles-sharon-kwamboka.html">Sharon Kwamboka</a>'s deceased mother), <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2009/03/mercy-update.html">Mercy Wanjiru</a>, Lucy Wanjiku (middle daughter of <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/DaxSTripToEldoret#5113133999595827138">Regina Wanja</a> from Eldoret), and Carol Ndirangu (former Tenderfeet student).<br /><br />Nancy and Mercy will probably go to a boarding school in <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/KenyaTrip2009#5307932975659220642">Nyahururu</a>. Carol is starting her second year of high school, but we only recently started the sponsorship (last year, her education was interrupted because she could not pay). We are still trying to decide on the best course of action for Lucy, but she is likely to go to vocational school.<br /><br />Mama Margaret has also been assisting with some other children in other parts of Kenya. She has been coordinating the payment of school fees for a boy named Dennis in Mombasa, as well as two children named Ann and Peter who have relocated from Eldoret. We also have three current high school students that are being assisted, <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/KenyaTrip2009#5307935750926406738">Arian Ogo</a>, <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/KenyaTrip2009#5307934193130141010">Kevin Ochoki</a>, and <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/KenyaTrip2009#5307933556115812066">Emily Nyabura</a>.<br /><br />Meanwhile, there are new children being admitted to Tenderfeet. We will be admitting 20 new children to have 80 in all. The government educational officers have threatened to close the school if Tenderfeet doesn't have at least 40 at each of the two school locations.<br /><br />There were 65 previously, but now 5 have gone on to the next level, meaning 20 have to be added. Mama Margaret has already interviewed a few families, and will continue the work next week. It's difficult because there are so many children out there in need of education, but at the same time, it's important to find ones that are the most deserving.<br /><br />Finally, the <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2009/12/fundraiser-for-tenderfeet-graduates.html">5 Tenderfeet graduates</a> are in the process of enrolling. Brian Mungai, who lives in Riruta, is going to <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/KenyaTrip2009#5307929964799792754">Bensesa school</a>. The four other children are on the waiting list to got to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Primary_School">Olympic Primary</a> in Kibera, but Olympic is only admitting 20 new students and there are 107 in the queue. If they can't be admitted there, Mama Margaret will try to get them in at <a href="http://www.sowetoacademy.com/">Soweto Academy</a>.<br /><br />This was all made more challenging because one of our wonderful Tenderfeet staff members, Mercy, has left Tenderfeet to start her own project. This left us short-handed, but we are fortunate to have a recent addition to the staff, Carol Warimu.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-81643018304926018052009-12-20T06:26:00.001-08:002009-12-20T06:47:06.134-08:00Christmas Construction Updates<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Merry Christmas from Tenderfeet!<br /><br />Construction on the Tenderfeet school foundation continues, slowly but surely. Please see photos below. Notice the beautiful red soil in the photos. One of the main reasons this land was chosen over many others is because of the soil quality.<br /><br />Red soil is the ideal soil for construction, it doesn't shift or settle like clay soil, which is a nightmare to construct on and can wreck foundations in the long term. You can also see the new Tenderfeet water tank, which is absolutely necessary due to water shortages and problems in Nairobi.<br /><br />Deepest thanks go to the <a href="http://www.collettefoundation.org/project_kenya_tenderfeet.cfm">Collette Foundation</a> as always. They have been working with Tenderfeet for years to realize this dream, and have been the sponsor of both the land and building. None of this would be possible without their commitment to the vision of Tenderfeet having a permanent home.<br /><br />This photo shows the truck that visits to supply water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWpV1omgcKB7m5GbLBMbf5BL4zWoIytBqVubCcSAPvIjpW_sVtnT6gwGRZUvCnRqHU7H6QLFqsEJ_nUE0BjgzEULcOIJmyYBuEr9SFWIEsTidW1gaudIksYRimZJKalvbJSnnIpVN1SU/s1600-h/IMG_3412.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWpV1omgcKB7m5GbLBMbf5BL4zWoIytBqVubCcSAPvIjpW_sVtnT6gwGRZUvCnRqHU7H6QLFqsEJ_nUE0BjgzEULcOIJmyYBuEr9SFWIEsTidW1gaudIksYRimZJKalvbJSnnIpVN1SU/s400/IMG_3412.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417326784875756802" border="0" /></a><br />Here is Margaret with the piles of large stones used for walls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirapfh4zoAMyc7IHoW4WLhQJWoKaOFfrziJU6k_wp2lNHnxzr0MxtOp0AtA26xwvR1OV08umaKHd1DW7l2glDhE0_NeIWO6-9fm340wtDuykGkf-kj6Q_OQz9pNR1WyIJBPM_GKPXs9tI/s1600-h/IMG_3397.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirapfh4zoAMyc7IHoW4WLhQJWoKaOFfrziJU6k_wp2lNHnxzr0MxtOp0AtA26xwvR1OV08umaKHd1DW7l2glDhE0_NeIWO6-9fm340wtDuykGkf-kj6Q_OQz9pNR1WyIJBPM_GKPXs9tI/s400/IMG_3397.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417327733068761394" border="0" /></a>Building materials with the caretaker building in the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTYGa6advieXwgIF4hmVY8-OEZBFmJyFe5bYPvpa2jdmqJtRMkdA2ccjsrwDDhKwLcZGoA_V4kEmwPBusbrzW-yyogGZJdhCRAIk9O8rI0y7S91uw-BfOTZnXpwlecgwT3nTazMDCqQM/s1600-h/IMG_3396.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTYGa6advieXwgIF4hmVY8-OEZBFmJyFe5bYPvpa2jdmqJtRMkdA2ccjsrwDDhKwLcZGoA_V4kEmwPBusbrzW-yyogGZJdhCRAIk9O8rI0y7S91uw-BfOTZnXpwlecgwT3nTazMDCqQM/s400/IMG_3396.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417326400345345250" border="0" /></a><br />The foundation for the school rooms. There will initially be three classrooms, an office, a kitchen, and a storeroom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv7GYkFHEgnd98HtID0uxI6d1TuFYn7astM2jZjJ-BRyTZNA4WFacE4MoU2UEyHvHnv0605T4zhUujW9Othlwo56QX9sDqVVT_ntooP1ErXVJwNJB1hzl3Ac-Ml74_Nyhk7nl6Cyk0cs/s1600-h/IMG_3420.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv7GYkFHEgnd98HtID0uxI6d1TuFYn7astM2jZjJ-BRyTZNA4WFacE4MoU2UEyHvHnv0605T4zhUujW9Othlwo56QX9sDqVVT_ntooP1ErXVJwNJB1hzl3Ac-Ml74_Nyhk7nl6Cyk0cs/s400/IMG_3420.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417327265269733954" border="0" /></a>The new water tank.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWPqb4MzlYfvQz6BBFWbaCXteQNjaDlr0Nc8EnnebD1R39hqoM4921QY07u5Sxz3iYnDm6lcAHq0Lixtcqar7jiPdf0e5kC-GIYw15TJ_un8QmZDW3zGY90AuJn2cXX71MMjwBOipCD0/s1600-h/IMG_3398.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWPqb4MzlYfvQz6BBFWbaCXteQNjaDlr0Nc8EnnebD1R39hqoM4921QY07u5Sxz3iYnDm6lcAHq0Lixtcqar7jiPdf0e5kC-GIYw15TJ_un8QmZDW3zGY90AuJn2cXX71MMjwBOipCD0/s400/IMG_3398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417328092896134178" border="0" /></a>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-70804963795607513762009-12-17T00:18:00.000-08:002009-12-17T00:22:17.220-08:00Tenderfeet Profiles: Collins Onyongo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG6Bbub-7JLB3uMc40zknHTkIAA12amX-Ba-iTKQIa-rWCAfmZAIgOc_Duj3Z2Txxx6EQn_Q2dpzX_Yef575QasWOlsKRUo9Q976H3wInZy3oQPXYFN17Uow5puPTJOxnEJV9yghvQoA/s1600-h/CollinsOnyongo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG6Bbub-7JLB3uMc40zknHTkIAA12amX-Ba-iTKQIa-rWCAfmZAIgOc_Duj3Z2Txxx6EQn_Q2dpzX_Yef575QasWOlsKRUo9Q976H3wInZy3oQPXYFN17Uow5puPTJOxnEJV9yghvQoA/s400/CollinsOnyongo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416117077564525362" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br /><span class="il">Collins</span> Onyongo is seven years old and in first grade. He is a quiet student and works hard in school. His father died of AIDS several years ago, and his mother discovered that she also is HIV positive, though she didn't want to admit it for a long time. Many HIV victims deny it at first because they are ashamed and will be treated badly by some in the community.<br /><br /><span class="il">Collins</span> has an older sister named Arian who also went to Tenderfeet, but she is older now and has started High School this year, thanks to a sponsor. It's very rare for kids from Kibera to go to High School, and <span class="il">Collins</span> hopes to go as well. <br /><br /><span class="il">Collins</span> mother has been very sick in the past. She is very smart and hard working, but because of her illness, she lost her job selling lottery tickets. At one point in 2007, the family was locked out of their own home because they could not pay rent. They also had no food. Then the Tenderfeet teachers found out and started helping. The rent was paid, food was purchased, and <span class="il">Collins</span>' mom was taken to the doctor. Things are much better for the family now. <br /><br />In the past, <span class="il">Collins</span> was also sick frequently. He was tested for HIV, and we found out he is HIV positive and has the disease. Thanks to the ARV drugs he is now taking, he is feeling strong like any healthy boy. Even though <span class="il">Collins</span> has HIV, he is treated just like any other student at Tenderfeet, a place where he is loved and knows he belongs to a special family.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-61920387230385859332009-12-05T17:38:00.000-08:002009-12-08T05:17:43.313-08:00Fundraiser for Tenderfeet Graduates<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />This year, five children will "graduate" from Tenderfeet. The school teaches children up through 2nd grade, so students going into 3rd grade will move on to the next level.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA19IYu_SRztFnT3CGMHKgzxweGfi-FL99sjDdkHit3XMHhiRIaCBSVCTr5dpKmFFumxV5VxgSxGW9_vwGmOaTA0aSiIjQr1a5PsZKQiZdfWvuQcu83s7c5kIe9Yi79mXEI_pxtaVkvbQ/s1600-h/TenderfeetGrads.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA19IYu_SRztFnT3CGMHKgzxweGfi-FL99sjDdkHit3XMHhiRIaCBSVCTr5dpKmFFumxV5VxgSxGW9_vwGmOaTA0aSiIjQr1a5PsZKQiZdfWvuQcu83s7c5kIe9Yi79mXEI_pxtaVkvbQ/s400/TenderfeetGrads.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411932356979454146" border="0" /></a><br />The five children are pictured right. From left to right they are Sharon Kwamboka, Ian Aloo, Sofia Kemunto, Brian Mungai, and Brian Nyaanga. All have been at Tenderfeet for 5 years.<br /><br />The new school year starts in January. For these five kids, it is a huge step and normally one that is devastating for slum families.<br /><br />Primary school is supposed to be free in Kenya, but when you add up all the hidden fees, cost of uniform, PE kit, books, and school supplies, the minimum to start school is about $90 US. That's 3 months earnings for most of these families.<br /><br />What typically happens is that the child's extended family collects contributions and fundraises in the community, but has to make harsh sacrifices in the process and still may not be able to raise enough.<br /><br />The stress and pressure can be almost too much for families to bear. This is especially tough during Christmas time when families are already short on money due to the fact they are expected to visit relatives in the countryside.<br /><br />Even if enough is raised, there are lots of associated expenses in the first term and children are sent home in many cases. It often happens that such children get behind over time and never catch up fully.<br /><br />I hope I've managed to convey the immense difficulties facing these young children. That is why a fundraiser was organized at <a href="http://iongeo.com/">ION Geophysical</a> in Houston, Texas.<br /><br />ION has been a <a href="http://www.iongeo.com/About_Us/Community_Affairs/tenderfeet_kids">great friend to Tenderfeet</a> over the years -- many employees are sponsors, and fundraisers have been held to assist with important Tenderfeet needs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TPij891e8HFEj0ykj4hA8VuJp_Gf8Y28KS4sWYfpdtaUrPexEsaFSpcoR_XMVY3qbrvpF47Qz38N3jU3sZVh0dYuDcwJzPGUfJg_9hw8XNkF7q4dmEn7oS65ecQcpRHvUZyWbkA3W6U/s1600-h/DSCN2216.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TPij891e8HFEj0ykj4hA8VuJp_Gf8Y28KS4sWYfpdtaUrPexEsaFSpcoR_XMVY3qbrvpF47Qz38N3jU3sZVh0dYuDcwJzPGUfJg_9hw8XNkF7q4dmEn7oS65ecQcpRHvUZyWbkA3W6U/s400/DSCN2216.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412852625683433298" border="0" /></a><br />The theme was "A Holiday of Giving," in line with the Thanksgiving holiday in the US. It is a time when Americans reflect on and give thanks for the blessings they have, as well as remember and reach out to those who are less fortunate.<br /><br />The fundraising team printed photos of each of the five children, as well as the school expenses they each faced ($5 for a math text book, $15 for school shoes, etc.). These photos and cards were attached to a "leaf" and many leaves were assembled in a colorful display (see photos).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdlhAl3B1w2DBgffVGlxzKnw-2AtHXLVn9vxQLGDRTcnISRCRTHEvoNyWg4UIWAdFuyH6RHQ86Qz8N3kNXFFgl489rADLGRiFF98S5VeLMTMF2YA7WELB9piFxIfYLMr6GfJO_hc004Y/s1600-h/DSCN2226.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdlhAl3B1w2DBgffVGlxzKnw-2AtHXLVn9vxQLGDRTcnISRCRTHEvoNyWg4UIWAdFuyH6RHQ86Qz8N3kNXFFgl489rADLGRiFF98S5VeLMTMF2YA7WELB9piFxIfYLMr6GfJO_hc004Y/s400/DSCN2226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412852478902058738" border="0" /></a><br />ION employees who came through the break rooms on one of several floors could pick out a leaf and sponsor that child's particular need (for example, new shoes for Sharon).<br /><br />The response was wonderful and enough money was raised not just to cover the minimum needs but also to purchase a second uniform for each child. In addition, a surplus amount will be used to assist new students arriving at Tenderfeet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfSFzyqBPNYladjxxYvjJvofoefBZ6-Wu9-d4lMP2GaYq719lRf23PmmWYW7vgKx-y60zGiwrNBS03PcUEJ_k-mgpcx7V7iLAB-7ANnOpxajdCUfrDCkpoa5NLuKDf7Upjkk6BxQG5_8/s1600-h/DSCN2221.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfSFzyqBPNYladjxxYvjJvofoefBZ6-Wu9-d4lMP2GaYq719lRf23PmmWYW7vgKx-y60zGiwrNBS03PcUEJ_k-mgpcx7V7iLAB-7ANnOpxajdCUfrDCkpoa5NLuKDf7Upjkk6BxQG5_8/s400/DSCN2221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412852418892788914" border="0" /></a><br />Now the Tenderfeet graduates will be off to school next month with big smiles on their faces. They will be ready for a strong start now that they will be fully equipped for school, thanks to the kindhearted and generous employees of ION.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-90854923942074125062009-11-14T14:08:00.000-08:002009-11-15T14:05:27.140-08:00Two Members of the Tenderfeet Family Pass Away<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMry-LedW1RqPoezWNn9MYfVz2eSB5BZR2XsRAMzK341r8xb86vRZgIh3Lvj-dY55UiHWGHzntMrjdc1zX7brhWjEut9ya9qz5AJyRkrTcCAuxiwCeegkW_hJv3t6rxoYqbEf37laI9iM/s1600-h/SusanWanjiku.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMry-LedW1RqPoezWNn9MYfVz2eSB5BZR2XsRAMzK341r8xb86vRZgIh3Lvj-dY55UiHWGHzntMrjdc1zX7brhWjEut9ya9qz5AJyRkrTcCAuxiwCeegkW_hJv3t6rxoYqbEf37laI9iM/s400/SusanWanjiku.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404085914581758546" border="0" /></a><br />We've had some very sad news recently at Tenderfeet. Two dear members of the Tenderfeet family have succumbed to HIV/AIDS.<br /><br />Susan Wanjiku was the house helper for Mama Margaret. At any given time, there may be 10 children staying at the small house Margaret lives in, which means there is so much cooking, cleaning, and washing that needs to be done.<br /><br />Susan was a sweet and quiet woman in her thirties. She had acquired HIV through her husband who passed away.<br /><br />I stayed in Margaret's house for two weeks this year, and was fortunate enough to spend time with Susan during that time. I always enjoyed her smile and kind spirit. I think she got a chuckle or two out of my strange American ways of doing things. The world needs more gentle souls like Susan's.<br /><br />The other member of the Tenderfeet family that was recently lost was a young boy named Clinton Rwoti. He's the boy in the front row of the photo, he has the red jacket and is on the left.<br /><br />Clinton became a Tenderfeet student in 2006. The photo of him was taken in January of 2007. When I visited in September of 2007, he was already missing a lot of school because of his health.<br /><br />Whereas a lot of young people that are HIV positive respond to the ARV drugs, Clinton unfortunately was often struggling with his condition.<br /><br />His family fled Kibera during the 2008 post-election riots and settle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BXBlWVW2Om0WgAJXWay9W5e7rjs5yuEfqjEYpODb-O7TN6GXmar1UxfBeYeI3DzupmvFAJbT1jEf3jO41WscBqW2DBWyG69C_Lf3LS_HUayBGjUGbqkY3HTFMVypzKpshx_HHgq5p7I/s1600-h/ClintonRwoti.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BXBlWVW2Om0WgAJXWay9W5e7rjs5yuEfqjEYpODb-O7TN6GXmar1UxfBeYeI3DzupmvFAJbT1jEf3jO41WscBqW2DBWyG69C_Lf3LS_HUayBGjUGbqkY3HTFMVypzKpshx_HHgq5p7I/s400/ClintonRwoti.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404087485336852514" border="0" /></a>d in a rural community.<br /><br />When his health recently became much worse, he was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital, but they could not save him. He passed away in the hospital.<br /><br />Margaret was informed through a friend after Clinton's untimely death, and didn't know until it was too late he was in the hospital. She was heartbroken to see such a precious young person taken by this horrible disease.<br /><br />Almost every child of Tenderfeet has been affected by HIV/AIDS in one way or another, many lost one or both parents to the disease, and some are even infected themselves. Our hope is that through education and love we can fight the disease on behalf of wonderful people like Susan and Clinton, so that the next generations will not know the suffering and tragedy that this generation has faced.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-48096599573924502942009-11-10T20:19:00.001-08:002009-11-10T20:27:20.884-08:00Tenderfeet Profiles: Sharon Kwamboka<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK50qpfVj2FUg-TzyPM1ce5vX8g84yxxuAt_jzF-SWv1VCt1YyQbgkjS6Y6Wi5Wrx5LiZ63mk4DMtqRsSlUi4rxe_P96I4FSsmQ_PBR5l8qGjC-z7MFF8Kl_TyAaEUdtnhGWDHB2CG-A/s1600-h/SharonKwamboka.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK50qpfVj2FUg-TzyPM1ce5vX8g84yxxuAt_jzF-SWv1VCt1YyQbgkjS6Y6Wi5Wrx5LiZ63mk4DMtqRsSlUi4rxe_P96I4FSsmQ_PBR5l8qGjC-z7MFF8Kl_TyAaEUdtnhGWDHB2CG-A/s400/SharonKwamboka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402696088374628338" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Sharon <span class="il">Kwamboka</span> was born May 9, 2002. She is in 2nd grade at Tenderfeet, and one of the top students at the school. Her mother and father both have passed away from AIDS, and Sharon lives with her grandparents. <br /><br />The three youngest siblings of Sharon's mother also reside in the family's one-room shack -- for a total of six living in the tiny home. There is no indoor plumbing or bathroom, instead the family shares an unsanitary pit latrine with hundreds of other nearby residents. Please click <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/TenderfeetKenya/SharonKwamboka">here</a> for a photo album of Sharon and family.<br /><br />Sharon's grandfather is very ill, so her grandmother must earn a living for the whole family washing clothes whenever she can find work. This hardworking grandmother is lucky if she can earn more than $30 in a month.<br /><br />The family was really struggling in the past few years, especially with the monthly rent of $15. It looked like the family would be thrown out by the landlord because they were so far behind in paying rent, but in late 2008, a sponsor was found for Sharon.<br /><br />With the monthly donations from Sharon's sponsor, the family began to slowly catch up on rent, as well as receiving assistance with food and clothing. Sharon's sponsor lives in Canada, but despite the vast distance between them, has already made a huge impact on improving Sharon's life. She now has a chance to have a hopeful future, one free of the crushing burdens of poverty.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-90414934681800316932009-10-23T05:39:00.001-07:002009-10-23T05:59:18.425-07:00Construction Update<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Thanks to the generous support of the <a href="http://www.collettefoundation.org/">Collette Foundation</a>, Tenderfeet has purchased land and is now in the process of constructing a school building.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDe-71CbFYxa1o0Y8u6oJkppqVt7I3LFt-ZXgyzvbroxIYU_CDnr6lNN3XRIJ2bLx2kCtAJAhHxmMM9hVPQiDIz282PYc49OKiYvvDeSirw9iMf-6cbAlZy0qJOIzZ4KPZkY2sy06Z0Lk/s1600-h/CaretakerBuildingTF-Sept2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDe-71CbFYxa1o0Y8u6oJkppqVt7I3LFt-ZXgyzvbroxIYU_CDnr6lNN3XRIJ2bLx2kCtAJAhHxmMM9hVPQiDIz282PYc49OKiYvvDeSirw9iMf-6cbAlZy0qJOIzZ4KPZkY2sy06Z0Lk/s400/CaretakerBuildingTF-Sept2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395774917852698562" border="0" /></a><br />It took several frustrating months to get all the permits and approvals from the Nairobi City Council, Road Commission, and so on, but at long last we have started the first steps of construction.<br /><br />Before building the actual school rooms, a semi-permanent iron sheet shed had to be erected (see photo right). Materials will be stored here, and a security guard will use it as a base of operations to ensure none of the construction items are stolen. High-grade iron sheet was used so that it can't be broken into.<br /><br />The next steps involve laying the foundation, putting up the walls, columns, roof, plastering, etc. There will be 3 fairly large classrooms, a storeroom, kitchen, and school office when everything is complete.<br /><br />This school facility is the realization of a dream that began many years ago, and will be a fulfilling and wonderful sanctuary to children growing up in the harsh and unsanitary slums.<br /><br />It will provide peace of mind to a school that has been kicked out of every facility it has ever called home because of landlords who are either dishonest, find the children a bother, or decide they can imitate Tenderfeet for their own benefit. In fact, just recently, we were notified that we will be kicked out of the church we are using in Riruta because the church wants to start another project.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-1878842345040704632009-09-28T02:47:00.000-07:002009-09-28T02:58:12.396-07:00Tenderfeet Profiles: Moses Murigi<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Moses Murigi is a 5 year old orphan boy who grew up in <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/DaxSTripToKiberaAndTenderfeet#5116552256692533650">Kibera</a>, the largest slum in Africa. His mother and father died when he was little. Moses has an older brother named Brown and an older sister named <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/FaithWambui#5355729012638511250">Faith</a>. Brown and Faith both went to a school for needy children called Tenderfeet. Almost all schools in Kenya cost money that Moses' family could not afford, but Tenderfeet is free.<br /><br />When he became old enough to start at Tenderfeet in January 2007, he started going, too. Moses, together with siblings and cousins, all lived in a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/FaithWambui#5354604689576331538">tiny shac<img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7khCs4PZNgSFq1ICecrpikCBTIyuecTXzHFf8-zHTWX6tFi8G2HVT-JBOYvG2MiG8DV6YDeO8Yfx-ZqIe_7Dim2-a4QalNkEqtCe8lk651kFaMQKVIq1tH3_Li9N9nNtgS2gWJ7slsEA/s400/MosesMurigi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386453758979600930" border="0" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/FaithWambui#5354604689576331538">k</a> and were raised by their <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/FaithWambui#5354604441914483570">Grandmother</a>. He grew up in a home without running water, a bathroom, trash pickup, electricity, or any of the conveniences that most of us are used to.<br /><br />In January of 2008, <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2008/01/kenya-post-election-updates.html">riots</a> broke out all across Kenya, especially in Kibera where Moses lived. All of the people from the Kikuyu group became targets for the angry rioters, which sadly included Moses and his family. The little shack he lived in was burned down, along with everything he owned. His family barely escaped alive, and lived outside for many days in a camp for families like his.<br /><br />With the help of Tenderfeet, Moses and his family got food supplies. The Tenderfeet team helped Moses' family find a safe place to live, and now they live in a new area called Riruta where Moses still goes to school at Tenderfeet. He is learning the important basics like reading, writing, and math which will be the key to him doing well in the next levels of his learning.<br /><br />In Kenya, life is very hard for orphans like Moses. Most are not able to go to school and will grow up without the education that is needed to escape a life of poverty. Because of generous Tenderfeet donors in Australia, England, Canada, America, and many other countries, Moses has a great chance at a brighter future.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-65231565606775058772009-09-17T11:53:00.001-07:002009-09-17T12:07:50.811-07:00Lucy is Going Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKZTP8FKyLTITnIcTXz6F0uSgvFH3SComKSnMbXe-rXaEqS4v7kTzoTcCETLmj78FcP016DmGSmhuuNS8SDcbpqiiVU-pI0TAgl16Qa5es1fAMJeh-3WCjR6c4W3MP0UVBJdzoKIUDzw/s1600-h/LucyInKijabeHospitalSept2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 370px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKZTP8FKyLTITnIcTXz6F0uSgvFH3SComKSnMbXe-rXaEqS4v7kTzoTcCETLmj78FcP016DmGSmhuuNS8SDcbpqiiVU-pI0TAgl16Qa5es1fAMJeh-3WCjR6c4W3MP0UVBJdzoKIUDzw/s400/LucyInKijabeHospitalSept2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382511817467112594" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Lucy's hospital bill was paid. Huge thanks to Dan Holcomb for his hectic scrambling to get the wire transfer done, despite the fact he was leaving the next day to go to Uganda.<br /><br />Now Lucy is feeling much better and her leg wound has been taken care of. She will go home first thing Friday morning. So once she fully recovers from the operation she had this past Monday, she should be OK for the long term.<br /><br />Her hospital bill was paid by sponsors in Texas, an amount her family could never afford. Children in Kenya die every day because they can't pay for medical care, so we are deeply thankful that loving friends from far away have come to Lucy's rescue.<br /><br />At right is a photo of Lucy taken by Mama Margaret last Saturday when Lucy was still dealing with the allergic reaction.Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-87969010608159310842009-09-10T11:44:00.001-07:002009-09-16T20:05:01.892-07:00Lucy Updates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcZtfZQ-Jcj3c8flGUj2gxXgsurFr_9zpOpivZdkrE65rmASjgFaDuEGL8K9ajOaoiGKv4i-qrTdEMZm7O7GIHJ_njCMtNg3hyphenhyphenC14p_SsArjYpIKXVtax0qO2iX2pnkhT4vJQH2Vr5-Y/s1600-h/LucyAndDad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcZtfZQ-Jcj3c8flGUj2gxXgsurFr_9zpOpivZdkrE65rmASjgFaDuEGL8K9ajOaoiGKv4i-qrTdEMZm7O7GIHJ_njCMtNg3hyphenhyphenC14p_SsArjYpIKXVtax0qO2iX2pnkhT4vJQH2Vr5-Y/s400/LucyAndDad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379913777560547906" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />UPDATE WEDNESDAY, 9:00 PM KENYA TIME<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Lucy should be discharged from the hospital on Thursday. She has recovered enough to go home, and if everything goes according to plan, she will be in Nyahururu by tomorrow night.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><br /></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE TUESDAY, 5:00 PM KENYA TIME<br /><br /></span></strong></span>I spoke with Lucy and her dad today. She was very tired but doing better. The swelling and rash have gotten much better.<br /><br />The hospital won't tell them how much the bill is or when she is supposed to be discharged. So we're playing the waiting game right now. Hopefully, tomorrow, we'll know more.<br /><br />Overall, it's very good news that she has responded to the excellent hospital care.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE MONDAY, 9:00 PM KENYA TIME<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Lucy underwent surgery on her leg today. The doctors removed bad tissue (I think that means damaged and/or infected) and sealed the sore (I'm not sure how they sealed it).<br /><br />She is recovering and we're hoping this will fix the problem once and for all. Thank you for your prayers and concern.<br /><br />We're supposed to find out the hospital bill tomorrow. If you would like to assist, please contact me at <a href="mailto:dmitchell@lahash.net">dmitchell@lahash.net</a>.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE SUNDAY, 9:00 PM KENYA TIME</span><br /><br /></strong></span>I sent an SMS to Mama Margaret to ask if she had any updates on Lucy. Here is her reply:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Maybe tomorrow in the afternoon I have the information on Lucy. Please be patient, all will be fine but even if Lucy is smiling her health is not good. We continue praying for God to heal her.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE SATURDAY, 6:00 PM KENYA TIME<br /><br /></span></strong></span>Today Mama Margaret traveled to Kijabe (about 2 or 3 hours by bus) to visit Lucy and Lucy's mom. Lucy's dad has returned to Nyahururu to take care of Lucy's younger sister Shiro.<br /><br />Lucy's mom is staying in the room with Lucy, but didn't even have any money to buy meals for herself. Margaret took some money to help Lucy's mom be able to buy some meals in the hospital cafeteria.<br /><br />Margaret stayed a few hours and said Lucy was still not fully recovered from the allergic reaction (rash and swelling). Lucy was not feeling very well, but in Margaret's words "could still afford a smile". I spoke briefly with Lucy and managed to get her to chuckle a little bit at some of my small jokes.<br /><br />The main problem now is the deep sore on the back of her leg that won't heal. It needs to be operated on again, probably Monday. It's badly infected and the tissue has never healed back after the permanent stitches were removed last year. The doctors will go in and clean and hopefully can put in some stitches or a similar solution that will allow it to finally heal.<br /><br />The reason it got so infected is probably because she was on break last month and was more idle and sitting down than she is during school, allowing the bacteria to really make headway.<br /><br />Margaret said when Lucy arrived in Kijabe, things were very desperate and if it had been much longer it may have been too late for Lucy. The sad thing is if she had been properly diagnosed in Nyahururu, it would not have gotten so bad, but the hospital in Nyahururu misdiagnosed the problem and gave Lucy de-worming medication instead of recognizing the real issue.<br /><p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE FRIDAY, 6:00 PM KENYA TIME</span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></strong></span></p><p>Lucy is still suffering from a rash and is very swollen, but they have given her medicine to neutralize the allergic reaction to the other medicine.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></strong></span></p><p>Her wound (the same one from 2007 that has never healed properly) was cleaned, treated and dressed today. The infection has gotten into the bloodstream so they are treating her for septicemia (blood poisoning). This is also related to her kidney problem, because the kidneys were not properly filtering impurities. </p><p>Lucy is very uncomfortable because of the rash and swelling but is not in extreme pain. She is terribly upset, however, about missing school which shows what kind of special girl she is.</p><p>Margaret is going to try to visit tomorrow and get a full assessment of the situation, including how long Lucy will need to remain in the hospital. Fortunately, thanks to her sponsors, she has NHIF, which is a Kenyan insurance that helps cover room and board. </p><p>However, the hospital will not release her until the full bill is paid, and the expenses are adding up with tests, procedures, and medication. If you would like to assist in her costs, please contact me at <a href="mailto:dmitchell@lahash.net">dmitchell@lahash.net</a>.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE THURSDAY, 9:45 PM KENYA TIME</span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span></p><p><em>I received the following set of text messages from Lucy's dad (pictured right with Lucy in 2007). More updates will be provided as they become available tomorrow.<br /></em></p><p>We went there and she was given various tests, even a kidney X-Ray. The results showed the kidney is OK, but one is smaller. About the swelling, they said it is an allergy to the medicine because she has taken for a long time.</p><p>Now she has been admitted because of the wound. It will be operated on tomorrow. We hope God will be the great doctor.<br /></p>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-84234908000622781552009-09-09T11:57:00.000-07:002009-09-09T12:28:31.048-07:00Please Pray for Lucy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj-6WCcYMFCprJCL8flG21LdYZ5qrtwaRs8q1j59tTR9xyZWvBkgsYHuEhoKwCbLikqigKw4cOSAYEDcCgdsIK8uOl-xUcy8uWQc6JcNM2gl3F6DK0VJt-b6N8wPbHtoyhBNfogdWjoY/s1600-h/LucyWithBooks2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj-6WCcYMFCprJCL8flG21LdYZ5qrtwaRs8q1j59tTR9xyZWvBkgsYHuEhoKwCbLikqigKw4cOSAYEDcCgdsIK8uOl-xUcy8uWQc6JcNM2gl3F6DK0VJt-b6N8wPbHtoyhBNfogdWjoY/s400/LucyWithBooks2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379550678687228802" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Lucy Thama recently turned 13 years old. She is in 6th grade and has had a very difficult life.<br /><p>She was born a conjoined ("Siamese") twin, but the other twin was never living. They were separated at 9 months by a kindhearted surgeon who did the procedure for free. When she was 4 years old, she lost the feeling and use of her legs and since then has been paralyzed from the waist down. </p><p>In 2007, she almost died from a terrible infection on her leg, the sore was so big and deep it almost went to the bone. She received a skin graft at Kijabe hospital and recovered over a period of months (read about it <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2007/07/news-about-lucy.html">here</a>). Soon thereafter, she and her family was almost killed during the post-election riots (the story is <a href="http://tenderfeetkids.blogspot.com/2008/01/kenya-post-election-updates.html">here</a>). </p><p>After the riots, her family relocated in the peaceful area of Nyahururu and thanks to her sponsors, she has been attending a wonderful school and has done great the past 18 months. Please see photo of Lucy with some of her textbooks, taken in January 2009.</p><p>Recently, she has fallen quite ill, and now the situation is very serious. One doctor said her kidneys may have failed, and another said it was a reaction to medicine she was taking. She will travel to Kijabe hospital (about 3 hours away), leaving at 2:00 AM this morning, to arrive at 5:00 AM. Her parents are at the end of their rope, and they can't stand to see Lucy suffer.</p><p>Please pray for Lucy and her family. You will never meet a more sweet, fun, and lively girl. She is bright and happy, and it is heartbreaking to see her going through so much pain. Please stay tuned for updates soon.</p>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-8491412169661423762009-08-26T17:26:00.000-07:002009-08-26T17:33:40.397-07:00High Schoolers with Big Hearts<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Students at Busselton Senior High School in Busselton, Western Australia wanted to make a difference. They heard about the vulnerable children of the Kenyan slums and decided to get involved through assisting the Tenderfeet school.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />These clever High Schoolers came up with a fun way to help. At their school, students are required to wear a uniform, but they decided to break the rules (with permission, of course).<br /><br />In cooperation with the High School administration, a "uniform free day" was organized. The idea is that students would get fined on purpose by wearing regular clothes rather than their uniform, and the administration would use the fine money to go to charity.<br /><br />It's not often High School students get to break the rules with the blessing of adults! As a result, over $300 US was raised, 100% of which will be used to improve the lives of Tenderfeet kids.<br /><br />Below is a picture of the students who participated, along with longtime Tenderfeet friend, Craig Garratt, who helped organize the event. Thanks to Craig and the kindhearted Busselton students who made this happen!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PNll_248TqBpLdUaIG1MkvbL7wkxqWjB6-RaRqadCzPuosV21hbcvKrDxQIvId1Dc1La6SYBSvkWQwxatLCMEgpSjxPJ89yTM8O_9t003Jtj7kr8VaI3YgNvPQIHbGC3Vpiir6KkTfs/s1600-h/BusseltonSHS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PNll_248TqBpLdUaIG1MkvbL7wkxqWjB6-RaRqadCzPuosV21hbcvKrDxQIvId1Dc1La6SYBSvkWQwxatLCMEgpSjxPJ89yTM8O_9t003Jtj7kr8VaI3YgNvPQIHbGC3Vpiir6KkTfs/s320/BusseltonSHS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374431407696230770" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-80861118799591259242009-08-16T18:45:00.001-07:002009-08-17T05:50:35.326-07:00Records and Receipts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgsWDhTwq1c7N-o6JC_G6OyU4Xtr0rIjYEXKzlEr2zjKGmUF_cGBTxC3ocApNEaYWRaPAweDvGWk8T6nK1jHHUnOTP8LpgWxmKJC2hzvY30pHcNHemdxLPRI0pbAm21UJD8-pyETBW7g/s1600-h/Tenderfeet-Receipts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgsWDhTwq1c7N-o6JC_G6OyU4Xtr0rIjYEXKzlEr2zjKGmUF_cGBTxC3ocApNEaYWRaPAweDvGWk8T6nK1jHHUnOTP8LpgWxmKJC2hzvY30pHcNHemdxLPRI0pbAm21UJD8-pyETBW7g/s320/Tenderfeet-Receipts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370743697809025042" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br />Tenderfeet works very hard to be a project of the highest integrity. One key is in maintaining transparent records and keeping all receipts.<br /><br />Please see the scanned set of receipts (from this past December) for various items used for the childrens' food program. Note that the amounts are in Kenyan Shillings -- approximately 70 per US dollar.<br /><br />Tenderfeet also employs an independent accountant named <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/KenyaTrip2009#5307934383632786962">Jared Ombasa Mogere</a> who double checks and audits all receipts, including those for food, the sponsorship program, and special fundraisers.<br /><br />He also follows through to the extent of checking if Tenderfeet is getting a good price for various items and checking with sponsored families to see that they received all that they were supposed to.<br /><br />In addition, every 3 months, Tenderfeet must send detailed records from the previous quarter in report form to Lahash. Also, photocopies of all receipts (like those pictured) are mailed from Kenya to the US. These records and receipts are examined carefully to ensure full accountability.<br /><br />Finally, Tenderfeet is a registered Community Based Organization (CBO) in Kenya. This means that a rigid set of requirements must be met, including an oversight board and following strict policies. Pictured <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/KenyaTrip2009#5307935594465395474">here</a> are the chairperson and secretary of the Tenderfeet Board, which is composed of community leaders who are experienced in education and service.<br /><br />Many projects in developing nations such as Kenya suffer from some degree of corruption, which can hurt everyone, from the donors to the children who should be served. Most of these projects are not registered CBO charities like Tenderfeet, nor do these corrupt projects include the oversight and accountability measures Tenderfeet uses. The way to fight and eliminate corruption is to use safeguards like those used at Tenderfeet.<br /><br />Tenderfeet goes the extra mile to achieve the highest levels of integrity, to guarantee that it is a project that honors God and serves its children fully.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249650634557286757.post-64030769308994109022009-07-29T04:19:00.000-07:002009-07-29T05:36:12.590-07:00Mosquito Nets for the Kids<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><br /><a href="http://cornerstoneumc.org/">Cornerstone Methodist Church</a> in Houston has come through again. This time help was needed in the fight against Malaria, an excruciating and potentially deadly disease that is hardest on children.<br /><br />During the past few months, Mama Margaret said that almost every child in Tenderfeet had missed school at one point or another due to Malaria.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB45GhEWVWW6fSEdnFaF1ewM-1_rTBzpOPRs_82e85CDoT_m413AH42LrVv9uLn13Miv7dTq1zpQ_rb5cd9SEEmW2NocC8AGTjWroHM3IH0OyUPCoQlfMHtO7KE6gnrozPSL0v6GI1XAI/s1600-h/MosquitoNets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 429px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB45GhEWVWW6fSEdnFaF1ewM-1_rTBzpOPRs_82e85CDoT_m413AH42LrVv9uLn13Miv7dTq1zpQ_rb5cd9SEEmW2NocC8AGTjWroHM3IH0OyUPCoQlfMHtO7KE6gnrozPSL0v6GI1XAI/s400/MosquitoNets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363842026377822386" border="0" /></a><br />The best way to combat Malaria is by sleeping under a mosquito net at night.<br /><br />Although a treated net costs only $10, it's money the families can't spare when compared to food or rent.<br /><br />Moreover, food, water, and charcoal prices have continued to climb. For example, a <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/dax.j.mitchell/KenyaTrip2009#5307933273738935650">bag of charcoal in January</a> was around 800 shillings ($12), but now has risen to as high as 1500 shillings ($21). One bag lasts about two weeks. When a family lives on $30-$40 per month, it becomes almost impossible to pay for anything but the essentials, even a mosquito net.<br /><br />So a <a href="http://www.cornerstoneumc.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=16189&g2_page=1">Vacation Bible School</a> fundraiser was held at Cornerstone to help the children be able to have the safety and protection of mosquito nets. Over $600 was raised by the VBS kids, which was enough for every Tenderfeet child to get a mosquito net. The first photo shows some of the Kibera kids with the nets, and below shows the Riruta students with the nets (in front of the new school location).<br /><br />Since the nets were distributed last week, not a single child of Tenderfeet has gotten Malaria. Thank you so much Cornerstone!<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">--</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1vZABp9_xj5gcb82D_3RoTn7QJ0L_IR2Jx1hdi9j7Z-URhBeS-80lT7zTZV2X4ebdVBnKNHzkMqI3cVqh1mqBAXykn5W9vkJwQA3Zt6FbT02GvLoYHmyOPUNq-p9agF3mEu9_91q6Lk/s1600-h/MosquitoNetsRiruta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1vZABp9_xj5gcb82D_3RoTn7QJ0L_IR2Jx1hdi9j7Z-URhBeS-80lT7zTZV2X4ebdVBnKNHzkMqI3cVqh1mqBAXykn5W9vkJwQA3Zt6FbT02GvLoYHmyOPUNq-p9agF3mEu9_91q6Lk/s400/MosquitoNetsRiruta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363845336546693506" border="0" /></a>Daxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052266415093184655noreply@blogger.com