Category Archives: PRE MISSION

A Tribute of Thanks

5.10.11 Photos from Iphone 126

One year ago, I sat on the plane en route to Kenya and wrote the following:
Tribute to my wonderful Mom.

As you read these words, you are beautiful mom. In you I have a guiding spirit and friend. Your unselfish ways cradled me as I spent otherwise sleepless nights preparing for the mission. You drove, shopped, called and endured the onslaught of demands. You never complained but instead, rose to the occasion by tackling the ever changing list of to do’s.

Storms threw umbrellas to the fields and tore branches from trees, all the while, you told me you were not afraid because you want to live life to the fullest.

I did not know how it would be, mom, having you stay with me while I was in the throws of preparing documents and financial reports for hundreds of children. I was afraid I’d disappoint you. But, these past 7 days have been filled with a gift I shall carry with me always. You are my hero… my friend and my treasure.

Thank you dad for sharing your wife with me – for giving her up to make sure that this mission and I have the support I need to trumpet success. Thank you Dad for believing in me – in my dreams and my calling – and for believing in the lives of each child we are helping through Matanya’s Hope. You are my greatest spokesperson!

I missed having you here this year Mom! I missed you every day! But I am so glad that you and Dad are enjoying Israel!
Mom and Dad Israel 2016

To our sponsors:
I thank each one of you for your continued support. Together, we are making this world a better place and that is the magic. Never Stop Believing. If you ever doubt your effect on the child you sponsor, just ask them what life was like before you entered their world. Through your student’s eyes, you are their angel and with your gift of sponsorship, hopelessness gives way to hope more every day!

Together, we are helping pave the way for a better life for some of the world’s orphans and vulnerable children.

I can't wait to serve these precious children porridge and love!

I can’t wait to serve these precious children porridge and love!

To George, thank you for coming through and organizing us, even when I am in Kenya. Shana, thank you for your time helping me navigate through documents and to do’s…and for the laughter we shared. Jeannette, Ann, Bob, Heidi, Xuan, Susan, Christian… thank you! Matanya’s Hope USA is finally a family! You are each so important and valued in my heart! I could write a book on answered prayers! To Adrienne and Cody, thank you from me and Tiger. Without your welcoming arms, this precious life may not have made it. To Carla, thank you for your countless hours of prayer and friendship. I could not do this without my own faith and dependency on God. And to our neighbors, thank you for your kind help during this time of service.

You are all part of what makes this light of hope shine!

Michelle Stark
Founder, Matanya’s Hope

Your donations are still very much needed.
Please donate at the top of this page or send your tax deductible donation to:
Matanya’s Hope
PO Box 562
Homewood, IL 60430

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

A Message from Thomas

The road towards success does not require that I have the best clothes, but asks only that I have a steadfast dedication towards my dreams.  Thank you Matanya's Hope for believing in me.

The road towards success does not require that I have the best clothes, but asks only that I have a steadfast dedication towards my dreams. Thank you Matanya’s Hope for believing in me.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness but even the smallest flicker of light will always find a way to shine.
Hate cannot drive out hate but love will encourage the greatest joy.
Your donations have given us hope in life.

Surely I lack words to thank you for your love and for your overwhelming support towards me.
Your kindness has no measure. It comes as a gift from heaven granting us peace which the world can not give.

Thank you, Matanya’s Hope for positively impacting so many from my generation. We were hopeless and now we have hope. Thank you for investing in our education.

Thomas Muriithi

Help our mission continue to reach those in need.
DONATE at the top of this page

or
Send check to: Matanya’s Hope PO Box 562 Homewood, IL 60430

Every dollar makes a difference in the life of a child in need.

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Mission of Hope 2016

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

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.

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.

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

Photographer, Unknown.  Subject REAL.  Let's join hands and become the messengers of  hope.

MISSION 2016 Send Hope to Kenya

Matanya’s Hope Mission Drive

Send HOPE to Kenya.
Since 2005, Matanya’s Hope has delivered HOPE to some of the neediest children and communities in rural Kenya. Every year, we distribute shoes, school supplies, clothing, hygiene supplies, medical supplies, blankets, porridge and so much more. Most of all we deliver love and hope for a brighter future.

Matanya's Hope founder Michelle Stark serves a child from Kagaani Primary school with porridge.  For many of these students, this porridge is the only meal they will receive in a day.

Matanya’s Hope founder Michelle Stark serves a child from Kagaani Primary school with porridge. For many of these students, this porridge is the only meal they will receive in a day.

Thanks to you, our supporters and followers, we have collected and packed over 4,000 pounds of donations ready to distribute. We have more this year than ever before!

Children from impoverished backgrounds receive inner wears, something almost impossible for their families to provide.

Children from impoverished backgrounds receive inner wears, something almost impossible for their families to provide.

We need help with our last big task.

We need now only to raise our Mission $$$$. We have the same goal to raise as last year, $30,000. We reached our goal last year and with your help, we will reach it again this year. Starting now and through mid-June we will be counting down on our blog page. www.journeytohelpafrica.com
Many of you have given so much already and may not be able to assist again, but share our post with friends and family. Every person who reads and learns about Matanya’s Hope is amazed at the work that is being done. Sharing our message is a huge help. The craziest stories on the internet get thousands of shares. (I know you know of some) Surely stories of good works and deeds can get the same attention.
We currently have 230 students in boarding schools and universities. Our first students from 2006 are graduating and becoming gainfully employed. We help thousands through our porridge program, rainwater tank program and with other life changing donations.

Please consider donating now and/or sharing our story. We are making a difference for these children and communities.

Children from an orphanage receive the gift of clothing from Matanya's Hope donors.

Children from an orphanage receive the gift of clothing from Matanya’s Hope donors.

AS PROMISED – THANK YOU!

In May, 2015
I made an appeal.

For the first new $500 donation, I promised to donate $50 of my own money.
HERE IT IS.

I also promised that when our donations reach $21,625.29 that I would donate $100.
HERE IT IS.

We are still approximately $6,000 from our mission goal.

Please consider donating.
Thank you everyone for making the Matanya’s Hope 2015 mission possible!

From my heart – and from all of the children and communities you bring
HOPE
FAITH
LOVE
through your prayers, supplies, blankets, shoes, bibles, toothbrushes/toothpaste, medicines and so much more!

THANK YOU!

This money has now been donated to Matanya's Hope with each challenge met

This money has now been donated to Matanya’s Hope with each challenge met

WE ARE ALMOST THERE!

Thank you Sponsors and Donors!!!

Thank you EVERYONE who donated in support of our Mission

OUR BOXES ARE PACKED.

THE ITINERARY OF HOPE IS WRITTEN.

WE ARE SO CLOSE TO OUR GOAL.

There is still time to help.

DONATE TODAY.

Help Matanya’s Hope reach the children in need.

THANK YOU.

YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE:
DONATE: www.journeytohelpafrica.com or www.matanyashope.org

SEND CHECK TO: PO Box 562 Homewood, IL 60430

She sleeps on a dirt floor.  She has nothing but shredded remnants of clothes to cover herself with.

DEAR BLANKET ANGEL…

Blanket Angel Brenda Hobson of Decatur Middle School, Indianapolis  Indiana sewed over 100 fleece blankets for Matanya's Hope over the last two years

Blanket Angel
Brenda Hobson of Decatur Middle School, Indianapolis Indiana sewed over 100 fleece blankets for Matanya’s Hope over the last two years

She sleeps on a dirt floor.  She has nothing but shredded remnants of clothes to cover herself with.

She sleeps on a dirt floor. She has nothing but shredded remnants of clothes to cover herself with.

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Dear Blanket Angel,

I am an orphan.
I dream of so many things…
a family…
a mommy…
a daddy…
love…
food…
shoes…
and a blanket.
Oh how I would love these things!

But today, I am especially praying for a blanket.
Last night was cold.

I sleep on the dirt floor.

Sometimes it’s so cold
and I shiver a lot.
During rains, the floor becomes wet.
Rain enters our mud hut.
I don’t sleep on those wet nights.
I can’t.

The floor is hard
but I get so tired, sometimes I sleep anyway.
I wake with pain.
It’s not comfortable.

My list is long, I guess.
but I am writing to thank you
because I learned you make blankets for children like me.

I call you “My Blanket Angel”
and I pray that this year,
you will visit me.

With love,
God’s child
Kenya

A blanket made with love can warm the heart of a child in need.

A blanket made with love can warm the heart of a child in need.

Please DONATE today and help Matanya’s Hope transport these blankets to Kenya.

Your donation is tax deductible and can be made safely via Pay Pal
www.journeytohelpafrica.com DONATE
www.matanyashope.org DONATE

or send your tax deductible donation to:
Matanya’s Hope
PO Box 562 Homewood, IL 60430

Thank you for helping us make a difference for children who are counting on us to hear their needs.

Much thanks goes out to everyone who made and donated blankets to Matanya’s Hope.
The Dawn Brancheau Foundation * Bear Hugs Foundation * Ann Thomson * Brenda Hobson * Hanna Regenhardt * Andrea and Arthur Stark * LeCavalier Family * Kate Buckner

Matanya's Hope Vice President Ann Thomson pictured here with Brenda Hobson, Decatur Middle School, Indianapolis  IN

Matanya’s Hope Vice President Ann Thomson pictured here with Brenda Hobson, Decatur Middle School, Indianapolis IN

AREA DENTIST ASSURE TOOTHBRUSHES FOR OUR KIDS

Often equipped with little more than a stick, area dentists make it possible for our kids to receive toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Often equipped with little more than a stick, area dentists make it possible for our kids to receive toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Much thanks goes out to so many dentists and dental supply companies who gathered together to support Matanya’s Hope.

Patterson Dental Supply, Sunstar Dental Supply, Dr. Conen of Chicago, Dr. Richard Mantoan of Southland Smiles in Flossmoor and The Center for Dental Excellence in Flossmoor. All have united for this great cause: providing children with dental hygiene supplies.

To Ileana who took our mission to heart and helped us reach hundreds of children. Thank you all!

Let’t pray that next year we can run our first Dental Mission!

Matanya’s Hope departs on June 30th for our 10th annual mission to Kenya.

Please support us by donating funds. We’ve got to get the donations there!

Dr Mantoan Toothbrush donations

The Center for Dental Excellence Flossmoor

Dr Conen Toothbrushes - Lisa Leger

www.journeytohelpafrica.com DONATE
www.matanyashope.org DONATE

Your tax deductible check can be sent to: Matanya’s HOpe PO Box 562 Homewood, IL 60430

Patterson Toothbrush and toothpast donations

HOPE Makes a Difference

Every pencil you donate reaches a child in need.

Every pencil you donate reaches a child in need.

Crayons bring great joy.       Imagine a childhood where coloring was just a dream.

Crayons bring great joy. Imagine a childhood where coloring was just a dream.

SEIN SURURU - NAROK - BW1- IMG_8760

Every mighty king was once a crying baby
Every great tree was once a tiny seed
Every tall building was once on paper
And so is my dream………

INVEST IN A CHILD
Donate Today
MATANYA’S HOPE

We must raise $7,800 in the next 26 days
to fund this mission.

PLEASE HELP.
IT’S CRITICAL.
Your donation of any amount counts!
TIME MATTERS.

Thank you.

Matanya’s Hope PO Box 562 Homewood, IL 60430
journeytohelpafrica.com