Author Archives: Michelle Stark

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Joyce “A Story of Hope”

I can just now look back to that day when I first met with Michelle with a smile on my face. This day changed my life.

July 2008:
I first saw her in my old school “Chuma Primary School”, where she and Mr. Mugo came to interview the top performing, humble pupils. I was very glad when I was chosen among the six pupils to be interviewed. I was wearing a green, tattered dress which was no longer the school uniform, but it was all I had. My toes peeped out of the shoes but none of this killed my determination or ambitions. I followed my mother’s advice to believe that “God will always have a way.”

These were the shoes I wore before Matanya's Hope.

These were the shoes I wore before Matanya’s Hope.

LIFE:
Most of the time, my mother falls sick and is unable to work, but when able, she works at a neighbor’s farm to provide food on our table. We don’t have our own home. We reside in a place owned by a good Samaritan who left his house when he moved to Nairobi. I hope I will be able to build a house for my mother.
My sister and I must wake up very early to arrive in school on time. We walk a kilometer from home to school every day. We are often hungry and have only tattered clothes. When I shared some of these problems with Matanya’s Hope, Michelle bought me a full school uniform and decided to look for a sponsor for me. I really thank her for this.

2009:
Michelle told me that I got a sponsor and I would now be able to go to a new school where I would board and would have plenty of food and water. There was a lot of competition compared to my first school, where I was always the top student. Although the students were far ahead of me, the boarding school environment gave me much more time to read. I no longer had to walk to school every day and I could attend extra studies until 11 P.M.

2010:
I sat for my KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) and I was admitted to one of the top high schools in the Central Province of Kenya. Matanya’s Hope was always there to encourage me. They gave each and every student moral support and when Michelle came to Kenya, she always spent time with me at my school. Her visits encouraged me to work hard. I set my goal on being a blessing to my family and on motivating my new Matanya’s Hope family.
My sponsor, Patsy, gave me financial support by paying my school fees, but she also encouraged me with her frequent letters, cards and gifts. I treasure them to this day! I could not forget to pray for my sponsor, Michelle and the Matanya’s Hope Board of Directors in Kenya. Mr. and Mrs. Mugo encouraged me to work hard and to remain humble before God.

Here I am working hard in class during my first year in boarding school.

Here I am working hard in class during my first year in boarding school.

In school, I was elected as the class student leader as well as the agricultural representative. This brought me close to the teachers who were of great help to me academically. They encouraged me to work hard and finally, in high school, I saw myself getting closer to my goals.

2014 to Present:
This is the year that I sat for my KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education). I scored a strong B which qualified me for University. Patsy and Matanya’s Hope gave me the encouragement and support I needed to make my dreams valid. It is hard to believe that a hungry little girl with barely a piece of cloth to cover her body can get this far! May God bless all of you. Truly, Matanya’s Hope is the light in a dark tunnel for me and for every other student they support in Kenya and in Tanzania.

Yours lovingly,

Joyce Wanjiku Ndirangu

blue spray - arms in air

Glenbrook North High School Global Citizen’s Club: COLOUR RUSH 5K

On May, 21 2016, Glenbrook North High School’s Global Citizen’s Club, a club that raises money for an international charity each school semester, hosted a “Colour Rush 5k” to raise money for Matanya’s Hope.

spraying pink

Students and their families jogged through the 5k course in the back fields of the high school as they were sprinkled, splattered, and stuffed with handfuls of vibrant colored powder. Despite the challenge of the run, each flying burst of color kept the mood of the race energetic, even when the participants were a few miles in. Smiles decorated the faces of each panted runner as they dodged, embraced and ran through the powder. Runners raised their arms like they were finishing a marathon as volunteers smattered powder all over them, tye-dyeing the runners’ white shirts. Pop-music and shouts of excitement followed while a light breeze cooled off the runners and the heat of the day. It carried extra powder particles, making the waves and whirls of its path visible.

Lindsey and friends show off their new color after running the 5 K to benefit Matanya's Hope

Lindsey and friends show off their new color after running the 5 K to benefit Matanya’s Hope

To and girls

Students came out of the course resembling something closer to a smurf or Shrek than themselves; powder color coating adorned their faces and clothes! As runners took photographs, grabbed a banana to eat, and socialized after the race, their camaraderie seemed to idealize the meaning that the different colors were meant to represent.

All different types of people came together and cultivated new friendships built on the common goal of supporting Matanya’s Hope, just as the different colors came together and created their own masterpiece.

Sponsor Lindsey Masterman and friend from Glenbrook North after running the 5K

Sponsor Lindsey Masterman and friend from Glenbrook North after running the 5K

-Lindsey

IMG_8712 Mary Wanjiru at school

A Day With Mary

The day was hot and dry. Our mission team spent the night with a Kenyan family near the base of Mount Kenya (Kenya’s largest mountain). The roosters and cows announced the rising sun, jolting us from our peaceful slumber. Suitcases had been packed the night before and were settled by the door. It was time to go.

The outdoor air was brisk; we each carried a bag and headed towards Matanya Primary school.

The children who attend Matanya Primary come from deeply impoverished families. Some are orphaned. Most are barefooted; their clothing bares the telltale signs of a difficult life. It is not uncommon for some of these children to go as long as 4 days without food. Mary, having already gone through her primary years, joined us. “I want them to feel encouraged to work hard and to never stop believing that they can make it” she said. “Hope and hard work can see them through to brighter days.”

A barefooted child stood outside of the classrooms with a metal rod and a piece of rusted steel clutched between his fingers. THIS was the school bell. The rod hit the steel, sending an urgent rhythm through the air; children poured from their dirt floored classrooms.

PORRIDGE TIME! Every year, Matanya’s Hope raises money to feed children from 3 rural, impoverished primary schools. This cup of hot porridge is often the only nourishment a child may have for the entire day. This year, Jonah, a Brown University student raised funds to feed the 250 children from Matanya Primary a nutritious meal of porridge every day of school.

Mission  participants embrace the opportunity to serve porridge to the children.

Mission participants embrace the opportunity to serve porridge to the children.

After Mary and the rest of the Matanya’s Hope team served porridge to the children, we met with those most needy. Bare footed children lined up outside of the dark stone hallway where we spread out donations of shoes, clothing, blankets, school supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, nutrition bars and more. Children in torn and tattered clothes waited with anticipation for a pair of trousers, a shirt, underwear, or a jacket. Many needed book bags, blankets… pencils, pens… soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The need was great. Mary understood this better than anyone! Just years before, in 2007, she too, had nothing. Her parents’ home was burned and her family lost everything. Broken and desperate, they came to live with an uncle in Matanya. Within weeks, he abused them and forced them out.

Minutes passed into hours and an exhaustion spread throughout our team. Water (a very precious commodity) and a bite of Ellen’s Quest bars helped us press on. Donations came to a bitter sweet end. A few new soccer balls flew from feet to heads to air. Cameras clicked. We played with the kids and could not have asked for a better day!

Later that night, I sat cross legged on my bed preparing to listen to Mary’s story. I could not help but notice that she was dressed well. Her hair framed her youthful face in plump, fresh braids revealing the majesty of the setting sun reflected on her high cheek bones. The nice looking tablet she was using was nearby.
Mary sat on the floor against the wall. Her knees were drawn up to her chest.

I knew I would hear Mary’s story, but I was prepared to confirm my inclination that she was ok. That perhaps she needed little help outside of school fees for college. Mary spoke; I filled with shame as her story unfolded. I cried with her as she spoke about being displaced, losing every thing and being emotionally abused.

MARY’S STORY:
“It was back in the year 2008 when life gave me a hard blow that until today I have not been able to let go of it in my mind. We had just celebrated the Christmas festivities with my grandparents and we were on our way back home when chaos broke out in our country along tribal lines. We were informed that our home town was very unsafe and hence my uncle offered us shelter. We hoped that all would be well soon. After two weeks of continued violence, we received terrible news that our belongings had been looted and our home was burnt down to ashes. This was the most painful time of my life.

We remained at my uncles place for two more weeks; he felt that we were a burden to him. My uncle’s became rude and really abused us. We had to move. My dad tirelessly looked for a job; he was without a single coin but he found a small, single room nearby. His only choice was to now go daily to search for employment on people’s farms, where he would work from sun up to sun down for less than $1 a day. Through God’s mercy, he later found a better job at a hardware shop. The lady owning the hardware place offered me and my younger brother school uniforms and stationaries and we joined school.

By that time, we had been out of school for more than half of a term and this meant that we were so much behind in terms of our studies. I felt so discouraged, as if I would never make my dreams of being a lawyer true due to the situation back at home.

My mother had been adversely affected by the turn of events and would often suffer from asthma attacks. She depended entirely on inhalers and other prescribed medicine. When she could, she would work as a casual laborer at the same farms my father worked on – from sun up to sun down – and would bring home $1 a day.

Life was very painful. I remember sometimes, especially before my dad got the job, we would miss meals. We slept hungry, on a very thin layer of foam with a very thin blanket. We would anxiously wait for the day to dawn because the place was so cold.

"I hope one day I will achieve my dream of becoming a lawyer and I will sponsor a child, like Matanya's Hope sponsored me."

“I hope one day I will achieve my dream of becoming a lawyer and I will sponsor a child, like Matanya’s Hope sponsored me.”

Back in school, I worked tirelessly and was able to catch up with my studies. I was blessed with massive support from the teachers who made me see the need to work even harder so I could raise my family out of the state of poverty. After I changed my attitude, I saw my background state as my greatest inspiration to work extra hard. God did make way for me out of nowhere. I met Matanya’s Hope and I got sponsored for my studies.

Being sponsored by Matanya’s Hope is what changed my life and made me believe that nothing is impossible with God.

I took this blessed chance to do my best; every moment I knew that I was the hope for my family. I pray that I may never let my family or Matanya’s Hope down. One day, I hope they will all be proud of me after achieving my dreams of becoming a lawyer.”

Mary’s facade melted away as we continued to speak.
“Is it difficult for your parents to provide food?”, I asked.
“Yes”. Tears followed.
She buried her face in her arms.
Are your parents educated, I asked.
“No.”
So, you will be the first?
“Yes, I am their hope.”
I was still confused about something. “Your tablet is nice”, I told Mary.
“That was a prize I was given in high school for having an A”, she shared. “I had nothing. Not a phone or any way to research. This has really blessed me.”
What do you want for your future, I asked Mary.
“I want to be the voice for the poor. That is why I want to become a lawyer. I will be able to help.”

Mary cherishes every moment  of her education.  "I want to succeed and help my family out of poverty. I want to sponsor a child as Matanya's Hope has sponsored me."

Mary cherishes every moment of her education. “I want to succeed and help my family out of poverty. I want to sponsor a child as Matanya’s Hope has sponsored me.”

Sponsorship has given Mary a promise of hope as she continues her education. It goes far beyond any financial commitment or gift; it offers our children a chance to dream again.

Hope through education.
Mary is now settled in university, officially admitted into the school of law. “I just want to do something to give back to my society” Mary told me. “I want to be able to sponsor a child in need, the way I was sponsored by Matanya’s Hope. And I really want to help the oppressed by becoming a lawyer who cares about the people, someone who can be the voice of those who are not otherwise heard.”

knowledge is like a garden.  If it is not cultivated it can not be harvested   proverb

Listen Closely to Their Heartbeats

All children have a longing to be loved and accepted by someone. But what happens to the orphaned or forgotten child? Where will they find sweetness? Who will help them build a bridge to their future?

Millions of children are forced to live on the streets. But, ONE BY ONE, we can reach these children with a gift of hope – together.

DONATE TODAY

Wangechi can now attend school thanks to her sponsor, Barbara.

Wangechi can now attend school thanks to her sponsor, Barbara.

Living on the streets is rough. The younger children get beaten by the older ones. Hunger plagues them every day and often they will do anything for a morsel of food. Like our need for food, love also nourishes the human spirit. A lack of love is like starving the soul physically, emotionally and developmentally. On behalf of these children, we come to you for hope.

Jackline Wairimu in class  at one of Kenya's Medical Training Colleges.  Thanks to the gift of hope through sponsorship, Jackline is studying to become a nurse.

Jackline Wairimu in class at one of Kenya’s Medical Training Colleges. Thanks to the gift of hope through sponsorship, Jackline is studying to become a nurse.

Matanya’s Hope’s Jackline Wairimu writes: “Your gift changed everything for me. I thank God for bringing you into my life. I don’t know how life could have been if it were not for Matanya’s Hope. At one point, I almost dropped out of school but, at that moment, Matanya’s Hope rescued me. I have been through my primary and secondary education and now I am in College studying to become a nurse! I really thank God and my sponsors for the blessing. Together, you brought my smile back.
LOVE.

Every child needs to feel as if they belong to someone.
Will you hear their cry?
Will you listen for their heartbeat?
Will you help just one of these children re-write their story to a story of hope?

DONATE TODAY
Help Matanya’s Hope reach children in need.

Sean Martin is overjoyed to receive clothing and school supplies during mission.

Look Who Just Got Sponsored!

You may already be a part of miraculous stories in your life, or maybe you are eager to be a part of the miracles unfolding right here at Matanya’s Hope. To every sponsor, prayer warrior and donor, thank you for helping us give love and hope to thousands of children in need. This story is about Sean Martin, a boy who touched founder Michelle Stark’s heart the moment she met him.

Stark tells us, “My entire being ached when I heard Sean’s story from the Director of his school.” Desperate to get her grandchildren educated, Sean’s jobless grandmother walked barefooted and hungry to a “local” primary school. The trek was monumental, demanding this elderly woman to sustain a long climb up the steep, rocky mountain roads until she reached the school gates. There, she told the director that she had no money but would bring some soon. She explained, “Sean has just been orphaned and his cousin Valerie is orphaned as well”. The director took the two children in, but months passed and the promissory fees were not paid. The children’s grandmother was unable to manage the bill. Sean and Valerie were to be sent home… Their hope for education faded. That is when I met them.

Sean smiled but I could see the pain beneath his sweet face. He needed the absolute basic necessities in life: food,shelter and love. When his mother never returned from a recent outing, Sean’s only hope was his jobless grandmother who took him into her 11 X 11 rented room. She did all she could already to support 7 orphaned grandchildren. Sean Martin now made 8.

Sean Martin, pictured after spending a day with Matanya's Hope Mission Team

Sean Martin, pictured after spending a day with Matanya’s Hope Mission Team

Stark recalls, “When I was a child, I rode my bicycle all day and played with my friends.” Sean Martin prays for a meal to eat and an education to carry him throughout his lifetime. He promised his grandmother, “One day, Grandmother, I will be educated and I will get a good job and build you a house.” He held the crayons we gave him and drew a picture of this house of his dreams.

So what does it take to help a child like Sean? It takes action and understanding that not every child has been given a chance to experience life like our children. When bad things happen to these kids, there is no way out… unless we help them. Stark says, “When I see a child finally get sponsored, when they begin to understand that their life matters and that other people care about them – when I see that, it is like experiencing a sunrise in my soul!”

This is Sean with other Matanya's Hope students at school.  Founder, Michelle Stark is pictured in the back row.

This is Sean with other Matanya’s Hope students at school. Founder, Michelle Stark is pictured in the back row.

To Sean’s sponsor. Thank you! You have changed the world for this beautiful boy!

To sponsor a child in need, please contact Matanya’s Hope: 708-822-HOPE (4673) or email us at: [email protected]

Donations are needed to help us continue the programs which reach children like Sean.

WAYS TO DONATE NOW:
Matanya’s Hope
PO Box 562
Homewood, IL 60430

Donate on this blog.

DONATE THROUGH VENMO (search for Matanya’s Hope)

Naishorwua Poster

Help Me Go To School


Yes! I Want to Help Naishorwua!

At the end of each day, I take some time to reflect. Today is one of those days.
It’s 46 minutes passed midnight. I should be asleep, but the story of a little girl named Naishorwua is weighing heavily on my heart.

I must share her story.

I ask this: please share this post.

Naishorwua after receiving shoes from MH donations.

Naishorwua after receiving shoes from MH donations.

I know that many of you will see Naishorwua’s photo and her story.
Someone out there will read it and they will feel touched to change Naishorwua’s life through her dream of education.

SPONSORSHIP:
Sponsorship positively changes lives and sometimes even saves them. Naishorwua comes from a small village in the Maasai Mara. The girl child in many Maasai villages is often sold into marriage by the time she is 9 years old. Naishorwua represents hundreds if not thousands of girl children just like her. Reaching them is critical. Many who go unsponsored are subjected to female genital cutting and forced early marriage. One at a time, we are making the difference these children hope for. By sponsoring Naishorwua, you are advocating her choice for education.

I just got word from Naishorwua’s father that on March 24, their house burned down completely. The family has no place to live and no belongings to their name. This is a critical time. Sponsoring Naishorwua means more now than ever!

Sponsorship motivates the child sponsored, their family members and the community at large.
Please: reply to this post for more information on sponsorship.

Naishorwua, front row center, lighter blue jacket and other Matanya's Hope students.  That is me in back.  Members of our Matanya's Hope team: Patrick front center.  Henry Front far right.  MH STUDENTS: Back: Taiyana, Lilian Kirokor, Valerie, Everline, Rose Muthoni  FRONT: Mugo, Sean Martins, Naini Rarin

Naishorwua, front row center, lighter blue jacket and other Matanya’s Hope students. That is me in back. Members of our Matanya’s Hope team: Patrick front center. Henry Front far right. MH STUDENTS: Back: Taiyana, Lilian Kirokor, Valerie, Everline, Rose Muthoni FRONT: Mugo, Sean Martins, Naini Rarin

DONATE
on line at www.journeytohelpafrica.com
or send your tax deductible check to:
PO BOX 562 Homewood, IL 60430
A general gift of any amount is appreciated.

Your tax deductible donation will help us reach many children like Naishorwua.
Your support means the world to us.

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Something Amazing Happened!

BENO wafula Poster

What pure joy it is to share with our supporters that
BENO WAFULA GOT SPONSORED!!!

Thank you everyone for sharing the story of this beautiful boy!

Beno will now be able to remain in school.
May his future be bright and his soul one of goodness!

Thank you everyone who helped make this possible!!

Michelle

BENO wafula Poster

Hope Has a Name – Beno

BENO

One of the great joys in this life is the joy of helping a person in need.
The story of Beno begs us to come close, to open our hearts and to act.

That summer heat was blistering. Nevertheless, Beno Wafula kicked his infant legs and giggled for all the world to hear. Mom, who had just arrived in from the unforgiving sun, really laughed. But that is MY mom. Beno’s mom was just a child herself.

She was a few years older than me. We lived under the same roof; my mom had raised her because without mom’s love and care, she had nowhere else to go.

Beno’s first 3 years were a pure joy. Then, his young mother met a man and everything changed. Beno was abused, neglected and often left hungry. His innocent laughter faded into the pages of history and despair took its place. They moved away and I did not see them for many years.

Little more than a year ago, I met Beno again. He really developed into a beautiful boy! But it did not take me long to take notice of his unspoken misery. Beno had started becoming a nameless statistic and I had to change that!

Pictured here, Beno just learned he would be going to school through the generousity of Matanya's Hope.

Pictured here, Beno just learned he would be going to school through the generousity of Matanya’s Hope.

I thank God for Matanya’s Hope. The founder, Michelle Stark met Beno when he was 13 years old. She could quickly see that the unfolding details of his life revealed a broken-hearted child who wanted nothing more than to be loved and to go to school. Beno slowly revealed how he suffered in the hopeless cycle of despair. Even on the days he went to school, he revealed that he went hungry and did not have a pencil to call his own. Most of all, Beno slowly shared that he was beaten and told that he would never amount to anything; he was called “trash” by the people he should have been able to trust most: his parents.

With your support, the cycle of misery can be broken for Beno.

Today, Beno is back with my mother. Matanya’s Hope sends him to school where he is receiving education, love, nutritious food and counseling. Beno’s self-esteem has improved dramatically. This is such an easy gift! The impact of our love is restoring hope in Beno’s world.

Do you want to do more than just talk about helping a needy child?

Beno's school supplies.  This is the first time he has ever had all he requires for school.

Beno’s school supplies. This is the first time he has ever had all he requires for school.

DO SOMETHING.
SPONSOR A CHILD TODAY.

Every time you give, you make it possible for something amazing to happen for a child in need.

It is my joy to help protect people from disease.  Here I am giving free vaccines.

A Message of Thanks from Lydia Muthoni

I will never forget where I came from and that is why God will always bless you for taking care of His children. Very few people can do your work.

First I was a house girl and then I became a dressmaker, but what I wanted more than anything was to go to school.

First I was a house girl and then I became a dressmaker, but what I wanted more than anything was to go to school.

I still remember the first day we met. You were constructing a house for another needy child. I watched you with awe; your goodness was a true lesson in love.

I am Lydia Muthoni and I am one child in a family of 7 siblings. If it were not for Matanya’s Hope, I would have succumbed to a life of abject poverty and despair.

After primary school, I had no choice but to work as a house girl. My parents could not afford to send me to school. I tried to save whatever small coins I could and I held on tight to my dream to go back to school. After a few years, I felt I could not make it so I took my coins and I learned how to tailor clothes. I gained a skill, but I could not find satisfaction. My heart longed to be in the classroom.

Thanks to Matanya’s Hope and my precious sponsors for hearing my story. You came and rescued me when I had no other hope. I am the only one in my family who attended high school and university.

Through your love and dedication, I made it! I am a nurse. This once hopeless life can now attest that there is hope for the least of us. I can now help provide for my family and I will sponsor another child, needy as I once was.

Never give up. Always hope. Always believe.

This is me, Lydia, acting as a surgical nurse in the operating room.  Thank you Matanya's Hope for believing in me.

This is me, Lydia, acting as a surgical nurse in the operating room. Thank you Matanya’s Hope for believing in me.

Little boy in nursery school (baby class) receives school supplies.  He is as happy as the sun is hot!

Raising Funds and Donations to Help Needy Students of Matanya’s Hope.

Matanya’s Hope Gives a Big Thank You to Hamilton Southeastern High School
WORLD CONNECTION CLUB

Students from Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana gather for an International event to benefit the students of Matanya's Hope

Students from Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana gather for an International event to benefit the students of Matanya’s Hope

HSE, located in Fishers Indiana, can boast it is home to the World Connection Club. The Club’s leader and mentor teacher, Mrs. Vickie Lazaga promotes cultural sharing and global education to students from all parts of the world. Mrs. Lazaga and her assistant, Elaine Gunderson, meet with students once a month after school. Every meeting provides an opportunity for club members to learn about one student from a different culture. This student highlights the uniqueness of the people, food and customs they hold dear. Participants range from students who have lived abroad to those whose parents are from places outside of the USA. The meetings culminate socially as ceremonial costume, dance and unique food are enjoyed by all. What a wonderful way to learn about the world and promote global awareness!

Students generously donated school supplies, clothes and shoes to Matanya's Hope.

Students generously donated school supplies, clothes and shoes to Matanya’s Hope.

With much thanks to HSE’s Principal Mr. Matt Kegley for his support, each year, the World Connections Club presents an International Night. They feature a talent show from around the world where the students themselves are the talent and showcase their native costumes, song, dance and other unique forms of entertainment. Everything from dances of India and Ireland, to ballads from Mexico fill the stage. The entertainment is wonderful and is followed by a ballroom sized buffet of food from all around the world! Parents and students conclude the evening together as they socialize and feast on these cuisines. So do Michelle and I! It is such a treat!

Hamilton Southeastern High School students serve food from around the world.

Hamilton Southeastern High School students serve food from around the world.

Over the past 5 years, proceeds from HSE”s International Night have been generously donated to Matanya’s Hope. In addition, students have organized annual drives to collect school supplies, shoes and backpacks for our kids in Kenya. These students demonstrate exceptional compassion for others at risk.

I would love to see this program replicated in school environments nationwide. What a wonderful way to promote learning and service. This year HSE raised over $1300.00 to help our mission.

It has been a blessing and an honor to meet with these students and witness the unfolding of their ideas and passions as they develop into life changing action. On behalf of each of our students in Kenya, Matanya’s Hope salutes you World Connections Club.

Ann Thomson, Vice President
Michelle Stark, President
Matanya’s Hope

Hamilton Southeastern High School donations filled our vehicles!  On behalf of every soul you touch through your generousity and love, we humbly say:  thank you!

Hamilton Southeastern High School donations filled our vehicles! On behalf of every soul you touch through your generousity and love, we humbly say: thank you!