that smile will last a lifetime!

Tom and Jenn with neighbor Ernest and Mama Ellie

This was a truly a surprise, like no other surprise! First of all, let me tell you how this all come to be. Last spring, our son, Tom,  and his new wife,  Jenn,  travelled to Africa for their honeymoon to visit Karim Orphanage and Tanzania.  Of course, they fell in love with all the children and with everything about Africa, who doesn't.  But the big connection to their hearts, was just outside the gates of Karim Orphanage, a 30 year old neighbor guy, named Ernest! 

Ernest, in the black hat; Paulo in the blue

I have known Ernest now for 5 years and he is one of the most sweetest, humble, grateful and honest guys you will ever meet. And his smile ... well, it is infectious! When you give him a job, he does it 150% all while showing his pearly whites the entire time! 
Anyway, when Tom and Jenn returned home, they decided they wanted to help Ernest some way, some how. He had a family... a wife and two children, to support and but had no job. We decided, he needed a 'boda boda' which is Swahili for a motorbike cab. With a boda boda, he could drive the locals to town for a small fee and raise money to feed his family. They threw around a few ideas on how they could raise this money but finally came up with a great, fun idea 'a Poker Tournament' one night with 18 friends and family. They raised $1200 to buy Ernest his new 'boda boda'! 

Ernest picking out his motorbike

In April, I was off to Tanzania once again. The first day there, my driver, Paulo, and I went shopping for a deal on a motorbike. After two days, four motorbike shops and lots of wheeling and dealing in both english and swahili, we made the deal. Now, to pick up Ernest and bust out the surprise! I was so excited, I could not wipe the smile from my face or dry that tear in my eye. 
After visiting with the children, we told Ernest to jump in the vehicle with us ... "Lets go to town, I have a surprise for you".   Ernest was grinning in the back seat all the way to town. Ernest is one who gets excited when you buy him a fanta pop! We parked and walked into the motorbike shop. Paulo and I were trying to keep a straight face but it was hard and Ernest just followed us in, smiling, not a clue what was about to go down. 

a kodak smile

"So Ernest, what color do you like? Red or black?" Ernest's eyes widened, he tilted his head my way, both hands went on his head, his eyes filled with tears and he said "Oh Mama!" And yes, this was when I started to cry! He hugged me till I couldn't breathe anymore. After a few seconds of hugs and tears and 100 thank you's,  he was grinning from ear to ear and said  "I like the black one, Mama, please."    

the new 2014 Toyo Boda Boda

So, Ernest got himself a brand spanking new, 2014 Toyo Motorbike with a red helmet, full tank of gas, insurance and registration for a year, 2 weeks of driving lessons and $100 left over which was put in a bank account for him.

the first ride home

Now, we have to drive it home and surprise Mama Ellie, his wife. He drove very slow and careful all the home.  We followed him. Mama Ellie was just as surprised and grateful. I explained to them both how Tom and Jenn raised the money and that it was a gift from them and their friends and family. Ernest said he wouldn't be able to sleep that night or even all week. Paulo said when he does fall asleep, he will sleep with a smile now. And what I know for sure is, that smile will last a lifetime! 

Ernest and his wife, would like to thank you from the bottom of their hearts and will forever be grateful for helping their family. He welcomes you all to visit his family and home. 

one very happy and grateful family!

I would like to thank Tom and Jenn Kinnell for this great idea and for hosting this fun Poker Party. 

I also want to thank all of you who attended and donated to the 'Boda Boda' *Cody, Justin and John Schooten, Chris Tomaras, Josh Simek, Chance Franklin, Wes Scheuerman, Todd Brown, Ryan Parker, Mike Caruso, Marc Leclair, Brody Sheahan, Kyle Harris, Derek Boyle, Tyson Bosch, Tim Legrandeur, Matt Gilmore, Sean Brown, Brett & Michelle Johnson, Andi Caruso, Randy and Dolores Kinnell, Greg Kinnell.

THANK YOU all! Your small act of kindness has truly changed this man's life! 

See you all next year, for the 2nd Annual Poker Party!

New Track Suits

The Children were 'over the top' happy when they received these beautiful new track suits! These track suits were made with love, just for them, by Roest Acoustics.  The children loved them. I loved the colors. A big Thank You to a very special Auntie Heather and Uncle John. 

The boys

Lucy

Saumu

Mama Rehema

Sabrina

Richard

Samwel

Lucy and Godfrey

our neighbor boy, Ellie.

The whole Gang!