This boy named Richard!

Jenn, the first time she visited Karim Orphanage, with brothers
Samwel, Alex and Onesmo.

I met Jenn, a 24 year old girl, from Calgary, a couple years ago. She came to my office in Lethbridge and said she heard about what I did in Africa and was inspired and wanted to go. I set her up and soon she was off to Tanzania to visit Karim Orphange. After her first visit, like me, she would soon fall in love with the children of Karim and Africa!

Jenn and Richard

Jenn returned, with 5 friends, this past May and June 2013.  

Jenn, soon to fit in, was speaking Swahili and travelling to town by herself.  On her way home from town, Jenn would stop to by roasted corn from a local vendor, like my daughter Lisa and I did all the time. It was deeelicious! And when a small, brown eyed, child with a big white smile, sold it to you, well, it made it even more delicious, knowing you were helping someone out. After a few visits, and buying corn, Jenn, came to adore, this boy named Richard.

She thought he was with his grandmother and father. Soon, with the help of Rehema, they found out it was not his grandmother or Father but complete strangers.

Richard off to school.

A man had gone to Richard's 
village, looking for workers.

His Mother, sent Richard, with a complete stranger, to town to work, to make money for the family.Richard is only 10 years old!  OMG!  Can you imagine, sending your 10 year old off to town for 3 months to work with a stranger cause you were so desperate for food? This is so sad. He has no father, only a mother and a brother.After several meetings, Rehema and Jenn find out, he is not in school and Jenn and her friends decide they need to help him.

Richard's first day of school.

They all agree, and 
Richard is now off the street and at boarding school. Jenn and her friends have sponsored Richard and he is now in school as we speak. He is off the street, safe , warm, has 3 meals a day and is getting an education. 


Thanks Jenn! I hope you inspire many more your age!

by Mama Linda

School Bus Update!

As you all know,  a new school bus was bought for Sotwa Wilson School, back in July.  I just recently heard from Mr Wilson Shange, the director and owner of Sotwa Wilson School. He said  that all the teachers, the children, the parents and of course, himself, could not be happier. 

He said it couldn't have come at a better time, when both of his buses were broken down. He also assured me that he is picking up the children of Karim, last and bringing them home first, around 4:00pm instead of 6-7pm. This new bus has cut out about 3 hours of getting to and from school. More time for play and homework now! 

The children are so much happier at school now! Look at these big smiles! They are not  tired nor are they worried anymore that their homework didn't get done because they got home so late the night before. 

A huge thank you to Nick and Barb, Crystal and Mike and all of those to donated to this project and for making this 'Dream Bus' come true. Thank you, for putting those big smiles on those children's faces!

by Mama Linda