This is me in the center of pure bliss at Matanya Primary School.

This trip moved me and compelled me to bring the joy of helping Matanya’s Hope home. I know first-hand the exhilaration of hearing news about how each one of these students is thriving, or in my case sister, from halfway around the world.

Since I’ve been home I haven’t been able to keep my mouth shut about the mission work and the drastic impact it had on my perception of the world. The dramatically different, and oftentimes tragic, way of life which I was immersed in contrasted with the overall quality of character I experienced in the people. The raw humanity I faced around every corner on this trip birthed a powerful hope inside of me – because now I KNOW that what we do and what we say indeed DOES make a difference.

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

On our first day, (my birthday) we went to Kibera, one of the largest urban slums in all of Africa, whose existence (until very recently) the Kenyan government denied, allowing the leaders to deny these poverty-stricken areas of humanitarian aid. Even with peppermint oil-scented handkerchiefs pressed over our noses, the foul stench of human feces was pungent and grotesquely unmistakable. We were lead through the streets, lined with trash fires and beat-up storefronts which held everything from flip phones to unrefrigerated, raw meat swarmed with flies.

Upon arriving at Raila Primary, the first school we were donating clothing, shoes, school supplies (and more) to, we were welcomed by severely impoverished children singing songs and sharing very strong messages via poetry. Many were barefooted and dirty. They spoke longingly of their dreams to become journalists and teachers, as well as their literal sleeping dreams from which they beg their mothers not to wake them. The speeches exhibited the darkness that children in Kibera face – when a girl of maybe 10, warned girls and women to be cautious. “The men have lost control”, she said. “Fathers have turned against daughters, even animals are unsafe.” They sang the national anthem, and small high voices rose with pride, drowning out the ruckus of car horns, shouts, and the hustling of people walking on the tier of roads above the slum.

Young boy at Jamii children’s center (orphanage) cooks beans and maize. Well wishers make the food possible.

After our welcome, we were given a tour of the school. Narrow outdoor alleyways were noisy and cramped with dilapidated classrooms holding as many as 120 students each on either side. The odor of urine from the waste-filled, doorless pit latrines added to an almost unbearable, stifling effect. Still, the claustrophobia I experienced paled in comparison to that of the children packed like sardines in their classrooms, in a room the size of an average middle class American child’s bedroom. Perhaps the paint was fresh a decade ago, but now, it was grim and peeling. Chunks of the plaster walls were missing. Window frames were void of panes in some and complete with shards of glass in others. The ceiling, now filled with gaping holes, showed evidence of a missing barrier between roof and sky.

We later organized the kids into two separate lines where they would wait to receive a cookie and a pencil, clothes, shoes, toothbrush & toothpaste, school supplies, blankets and more. I was working with my father in the cookie and pencil department. Most of the children, we soon realized, would go through the line twice and receive double the cookies and pencils, which created a fair distribution problem when serving over 800 children. We informed the principal of this situation and once we all gathered again in the outside grounds for assembly, she instructed the children, with great authority, to pass up all the extra pencils. “If you have many, others have none,” she said. To my surprise, a murmur ran through the crowd and pencils began flowing to the front, flying out of hidden pockets and into the hand of the principal to be evenly circulated. I wish you could all experience this impact of raw honesty and respect from the young people at Raila Primary, in the middle of one of the world’s largest slums! It encompasses the immeasurable character that many of the students possess, despite the lack of good example displayed in their world. This learned respect and comradery puts them on a track to help their country flip the norm of corruption, and will help create a society fueled by honesty and hard work, one that pushes the invisible, of which there are so many of in Kibera, out of the darkness and into the light to be encouraged, educated, and accounted for.

The children play with Julia’s hair. They are fascinated by the different texture.

At Raila Primary and other schools throughout Kenya, I was bombarded with questions from curious voices. “Do you eat “Omena fish?” was a constant. Initially confused, I was later told that it’s an old myth that Omena fish have eyes like the sea, and turn your eyes blue if you eat them. Yes, I have blue eyes but I don’t eat Omena fish. My hair was braided by countless hands, all eager to feel my long locks. It was a culture shock to be asked what tribe I was in, as I come from such an ethnically homogenous area like Northbrook. Overall, this incredible experience made my birthday one that I will never forget! I experienced beauty and love in a place where I would never have expected to find it – but where it changed my life forever.

Another over the top experience for me was meeting Theresa, the 17-year-old-girl that my family sponsors. We were fortunate enough to be able to spend a day with her, pulling her from studying for exams, something that she seemed pretty happy about. Apparently the chance to escape the monotony of studying is universally celebrated by teenagers worldwide. We showed Theresa photos of our family at ice hockey games, my school’s homecoming and at Thanksgiving dinner. We smiled, laughed and compared stories. Michelle, Matanya’s Hope founder told my family many times about Theresa’s home but nothing could prepare us for when we visited the one room dirt floor shack. It was carpeted with fleas visible a foot high and walled by rickety boards that were nearly eaten through by maggots. There was a small cot that Theresa and her mother shared which was permanently soggy, moldy, and bug-infested due to the rainfall that poured onto it through the nearly shredded plastic bag roof.

My dad playing soccer (football) here with kids at one of the orphanages we visited. My eyes teared as I wondered if Theresa had ever played anything with her father.

Theresa regaled us with stories of Mrs. Mugo, both our hostess and Theresa’s old teacher. She warned us to watch our fingers later that night when Mrs. Mugo would be teaching us to make the traditional African flatbread called Chapati. She joked, “You might get whacked with a ruler if you do poorly!”

Our trip together took us for milkshakes and more giggles. Theresa had to sit through my dad’s business models (as all Masterman children must) and she pretended like the rest of us to be interested. Theresa was officially a part of our family. Our day ended idyllically with a game of catch: a father daughter luxury that, with a choked throat, I realized Theresa had probably never experienced. After sending Theresa back to school with a few gifts, I wished my new sister realized how many she had given me.

My mom and Wangechi. It is just so easy to love these kids!

I am so glad that you are sponsoring a child(ren). It is my hope that you will also experience the love, joy, emotional and academic gifts that Matanya’s Hope cultivates, first hand. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about my experience with Matanya’s Hope.

Lindsey

The post A Message from Lindsey appeared first on Journey to Help Africa.

Hamilton Southeastern High School, (located in Fishers, Indiana) should be very proud of their World Connections Club. This club consists of members of the student body and teacher volunteers. They study world cultures and learn to appreciate the beauty and diversity this world has to offer.

World Connections Club students from Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana and their mentor Vickie Lazaga go the extra mile to support Matanya’s Hope.

Over the last few years this student club, led by their mentor teacher, Vickie Lazaga, has been supporting Matanya’s Hope with shoe, backpack and clothing drives. This year’s mission marks the fourth year HSE World Connections Club has donated to Matanya’s Hope and it is the most successful yet! They have raised funds from their International Night which were donated to help Matanya’s Hope ship supplies to students, much like themselves. In addition, they collected 2 cartloads of shoes, backpacks, jackets and school supplies to take on mission to disburse to their age mates in need.

A photo of some of the shoes and other personal items our children in Kenya wear due to the extreme poverty their families face

We met with the HSE World Connections Club this year and showed them a video of an impoverished school girl from rural Kenya, highlighting what her life was like. It starts with her rising at 4:30 in the morning and traveling several miles to fetch water from a bacteria infested stream for the family to drink, bathe and do laundry with. She then gathers fire wood and chops it into kindling with a large ax before setting out to walk 5 miles barefoot to school. The student’s response to these images was overwhelming. They are so passionate about world issues and use their growing awareness to come up with ways to help.

The Hamilton Southeastern High School World Connections Club take in every detail of an orphaned girl’s life in rural Kenya

Michelle Stark and I have visited the club for the past several years. Each year we are so impressed by these students. They learn about various cultures through food, dance and cultural customs. They learn and discuss world issues and truly have global awareness in a way seldom seen at the high school level. These HSE World Connections Club students are also learning to take on leadership roles by directing and organizing their own events.

World Connections Club President Vickie Lazaga and MH Vice President Ann Thomson present Matanya’s Hope to the HSE World Connections Club

It is with deep gratitude that Michelle and I salute these caring students and their inspiring leader, Vickie Lazaga.

Ann Thomson, V.P. Matanya’s Hope

The post Making A Difference HSE High School World Connections Club appeared first on Journey to Help Africa.

Children wait in line for distribution of porridge, school supplies and shoes.

Today, children in Nairobi Kenya are facing the aftermath of one of the worst floods in the history of Kenya. Buildings have collapsed and many are injured and dead. Streets have become like rivers. People’s homes and belongings have been washed away.

Matanya’s Hope needs to raise $30,000 to carry on our much needed mission work. So far, we’ve already raised $14,531.00

This year we have more than 4,500 pounds of donated items to pass out, including: shoes, blankets, clothing, school supplies, medical supplies, hygiene supplies and so much more. We will spend our time loving and inspiring these children, assessing our past years work and delivering to help those in need during this crisis. Each trip costs $30,000. So far, we’ve already raised $14,561.00.

I am very proud of our progress, but I believe we can reach our goal of $30,000 in this next month.

To make that happen, we need your help.

This is a great opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of these children and the communities in need. Please don’t let another day slip away; share your passion for life.

Your donation today is an easy way to make a difference in a child’s life. That simple.
You donate.
A child receives help, love and hope.
It is an investment in the future.

It’s a total win-win.

We have an amazing opportunity today for you to make a tax deductible donation that will help Matanya’s Hope address the crisis hitting Kenya today. Your donation will help children in need.

If you believe like us:
___every child deserves an education.
___every child deserves a chance to succeed in life.
___every child deserves to feel loved.
___every child deserves to be protected from harms way.

Give the gift of education and you are giving the gift of hope.

Matanya’s Hope works with thousands of orphaned and impoverished children in some of the most impoverished, remote regions of Kenya. Without our help, some of these children have gone without:
___food
___shoes
___school supplies
___education
___blankets
___safe drinking water (or any water at all)
___hygiene supplies (soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste)
___hope

Many children go days without food. The Matanya’s Hope porridge program helps to eradicate hunger.

To great days ahead,

Michelle Stark
Founder, Matanya’s Hope

The post Mission of Hope 2016 appeared first on Journey to Help Africa.