Pamela is in 5th grade. She is an orphan. Thanks to sponsors in Boca Raton, Florida, Pamela can now go to school.

The philanthropic season has begun! December 1 is GIVING TUESDAY and a great opportunity for you to create change for the betterment of humanity.

Matanya’s Hope needs your help today to help more than 1,500 hungry children eat, learn and most of all, HOPE for a better future.

Your donation of any amount will help Matanya’s Hope reach thousands of hungry, orphaned, once forgotten children across the globe. This holiday season, let our message be WE CARE.

MATANYA’S HOPE sends more than 250 orphaned and impoverished children to school in Kenya, East Africa. Your donation will help us provide clean drinking water to families, villages, schools and medical clinics who otherwise have to depend on bacteria infected water from local rivers. Thousands of people in need will receive donations from the 3,500 pounds of blankets, shoes, clothing, school supplies, soap and medical supplies we distribute every year. Most of all, your donation will help us deliver HOPE. As the festive season begins, please DONATE to Matanya’s Hope. Help us change the future for a child in need.

Malala Yousafzai says it best: “One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”

Thousands of impoverished children across Kenya are touched by your generosity.

DONATE TODAY

Dear Friends and supporters of Matanya`s Hope,

It’s now two weeks since she left……the distance….the isolation….the love…..I am missing the love, the talks, the laughs and so much more…..it makes me want to write this. I miss the work we did together….Loving the kids, inspiring them, giving out donations…..it’s part of my life I will live to remember…..yearn for – for as long as I live. To be very honest with you, she is the friend I have been so close to…..The one I have loved with all of my heart. I REALLY miss you Michelle.

Michelle and I at Jamii Children’s Center – a home for orphaned children we’ve come to love!

I can’t and I should never forget to thank Ann Thomson, Jonah Blumenthal (jonah fish), Quincy Mcknown(Wambui), Beldina Nyatich(Beltowel), Michael Mutua and Christine Muthoni for finding time to be in this year`s mission. Walking with us in this journey to make the world a better place for all of us. Michelle, what can I say about you!!! You are incredible. The partner I never had. I love you. YES I DO.

Christine blowing bubbles for the students at Kagaani Primary School

Ann, you are an angel. You discovered Obadiah – God used you to transform the young life. May God always bless you!

Me inspiriting Obadiah before we sent him for his first day of school.

Quincy, you are a miracle. Think of Nancy. Think of her life now and before she met you. It`s full hope and revived dreams. Your coming to Kenya was for Nancy and for us. You blessed us. You are amazing.

Jonah, no word can best describe the place you occupied in my heart. You are a friend – a brother…….I miss you. I am thinking of you. Thank you for being my partner in the mission. Thank you for loving the kids with a lot of enthusiasm. You touched Lawrence`s life. You made an impact. I am looking forward to seeing you soon – Sharing more time with you.

Beldina, you are another miracle. You are a beautiful soul – full of love and integrity. You have been blessed with a heart that is open to love everyone. This is a virtue in you that really blessed the MH.

Beldina brings Wangechi close to her heart during a mission outing in Matanya.

Michael, Thank you for being a driver and a tour guide – all in one. I admire the fact that you know almost every cool place in Kenya.

To all the donors, I can`t mention all of you by name. I really want to mention those I can`t remember but I won`t. I know – for sure- that whether you name was repeated in the donations a thousand times or just once, you all gave fro0m from your heart. You all sacrificed what you had for someone else. Thank you.

We acknowledge your participation in this year`s mission. It was of the best mission Michelle has for years. I want to assure you that we did our best in honoring the integrity of MH. We made sure that every single gift – however small – wet to the person who needed it most even moral support has been a great blessing. I remember a day that Michelle insisted we drive for 5 hours on a dusty, bumpy (you may have no idea what a bumpy road is until you have been here!) road to deliver 3 exercise books to a student. The books had been donated by the student`s sponsor. When I asked her why, this is what she had to say, ‘’Patrick, it is my responsibility to ensure that every single gift and donation reaches those it was meant for. I know that it cost us fuel and time but I have to protect the integrity of MH.’’

In addition to her sponsor gifts, Linet receives 3 revision books she requested to aid her in her studies.

When I saw the smile on the recipients face, I also understood. I remembered the times Michelle came to deliver “my gifts”. How far did she travel to do so? Did I ever know? This reminded me of the joy that comes with seeing Michelle visit you at school. Given the chance, I want to do this over and over again. I want to see these smiles on more faces. I want to be a God`s vessel – that Her can use me to give hope to the hopeless (I can`t give hope but He can work through me to speak hope to others – just like he used –and is still using- Michelle Stark, Tom and Karen Aldrich, Bob Selent and others to shine hope in my life. To assure me of a better future.

I want all of you to know that every coin, school supply, shoe, blanket, toothbrush, clothing and the rest that you donated was highly appreciated by the MH and the kids that received them.
Please know that every single item you donate reaches the needy. Thank you for helping us love these kids. I know it’s a huge SACRIFICE that you are making in your own lives. Please Know it in your heart that you are transforming someone`s life, who very well may have felt hopeless without you. Together, you and I can make the world a better place.

Patrick Muriuki

We drove five hours from Embu to Materi Girls High School today to visit Jackline and Linet, two of our high school students.

It did not take longer than a minute to begin to feel our blood and skin searing through the windowpane as a result of the piercing equatorial sun.

The black tarmac quickly turned to a less than organized collection of dirt, rocks and dust. If someone told me I was now in Sudan, I would have to believe that to be true.

My head started to pound. Intuition told me I needed water – that this was heat related and and I had to hydrate. When the plastic rim of my bottle touched my lips, cool maji (water) poured into my mouth. What a treasure on earth! I eagerly took in the life force, feeling as if there would never been an end to the need I felt inside of me.

All the while, the sun’s relentless rays worked on me. Dust sputtered into our car through every opening possible. My black leggings were now sporting multiple brown layers of dust everywhere opened to the elements. My recently washed hair lost any sign of cleanliness or shine – and in fact, it felt horribly dry and dirty to the touch. My head itched from the barrage of dust attacking us. We persisted on.

“Samahani” we asked the one and only man on the road “Is this the way to Materi Girls?” “Yes” he replied. “Straight ahead”. The road had no markers. It’s loose dirt road split in two. Rocks protected one from making the mistake of falling down the huge drop off to our right. So it was straight we stayed. After 10 minutes we felt as if we were no father into the middle of nowhere as we were before. “Is this the way to Materi Girls” we asked a woman near the roadside. “yes, straight ahead.” she replied. Again, we moved forward leaving what looked like a disappearing road in a cloud of dust behind us.

Why do we travel so far?

We are going to visit two girls – both of whom we officially have gifts for but only one whose gifts we will be delivering today. It doesn’t make sense, really. I mean traveling all this way – while gifts for the other girl remain stuck at port… now entertaining their 7th week late – in the container… but we don’t know when they are coming and we must deliver the gift we have. 3 books to be exact. That’s what we have. 3 books. 5 hours. Dust. Heat. But that’s our promise. Every year sponsors send us with packages of hope for their students. Packages to encourage them and help them survive and thrive throughout the year. We will do everything possible to see your child and to deliver the gifts you send with us. Rest assured.

Eventually our tires sputtered through a metal gate where the guard for Materi Girls first interrogated us and then welcomed us to park at the school.

We coerced our overheated bodies out of the vehicle and onto the dusty plain. The first step assured the elements a new home in our socks and shoes. It felt great would be a lie.

Our first stop was the principles office. To our surprise, he was so nice and even offered us soda and lunch. (In all of my 10 years traveling to Kenya for Matanya’s Hope, this is only the second time this has ever happened!).

Soon we found ourselves with Jackline and Linet. I don’t know if our smiles filled the room or my heart more! I think all were bursting with joy!

Jackline receiving pencils from your generous donations!

We gave Linet her gifts and made sure to share the few general donations we’d been able to preserve with Jackline too.
We let the school know that we had also brought some supplies to donate to about 50 girls in need and soon found ourselves handing out pencils, sharpeners, rulers and folders to a beautiful green uniformed population of grateful students. I can’t write more without thanking you, our donors, for making it possible to bless the needy.

In addition to her sponsor gifts, Linet receives 3 revision books she requested to aid her in her studies.

Time was pressing us and we were clear our visit had to end. After sweet goodbyes, we entered the vehicle with a huge gift. The school gave us 2 bottles of water to carry. I sit here now, not drinking it, but instead, I have placed the small plastic bottle behind my neck. Can I tell you the relief as the 70 degree bottle is actually cooling my sun beaten body.

Hello, my name is Jonah Blumenthal, and for the second time in two weeks, I have come face to face with a story that has hit me hard. I met Lawrence Mutugi on my second day of this mission. At the time, all I knew of Lawrence was that he was a smiley Matanya’s Hope sponsored student. We exchanged pleasantries, and compared and contrasted college life in the United States with that of a Kenyan University student. I discovered truly how blessed I have been throughout my life. I have been given every opportunity, courtesy of my family, and have been coddled by my school system. Lawrence has had a difficult family history, and has managed to find success despite a harsh, unfair, school system. He is someone who is constantly positive and a kind soul. Lawrence is the type of guy you have a conversation with and just feel good afterwards. He is just a good person. He left me thinking, “man that guy was awesome, if he went to school with me, I would be best friends with him.” Quincy is in agreement.

Lawrence has a passion for computer science, and has done everything in his power to attain his goals of becoming a network administrator for a large organization. When Lawrence discusses his schoolwork, it is not just something he is required to do, but something he loves. He is someone who is never satisfied with the knowledge he holds but searches and continuously explores his passion. After a few hours of pleasant conversation with Lawrence, we parted ways. I assumed that this was the last time I would see Lawrence Mutugi.

Fourteen days later, I was back in Nairobi. I had hoped to see Lawrence again, and was fortunate that he didn’t have class. We got together, and again began discussing life. It was only after a considerably long, lovely conversation that I learned of Lawrence’s difficulties.

“My father was someone who was willing to help me achieve my dreams. So luckily for me I was smart and I worked hard to achieve the vision I had. My father, and friends who knew my reputation (based on my exam scores) were willing to lend me a hand. They helped me pay my room and board while in University. Additionally, Matanya’s Hope and my sponsor Doug contributed to my fees. Without these contributions, I wouldn’t be able to attend University and finish up my degree.”

“Unfortunately, this year my father passed away from illness. He had been married three times. After he was buried there were disputes between his three wives. Unluckily for me, since my mother comes from a different tribe, we inherited nothing. At this point, the other two wives claimed the money that was going towards my room and board. Now I had no way to pay the $95 a month to stay in school. Additionally, I have another brother in University, and one back home with my mother. Shortly after my father’s death, my mother was very depressed and suffered from high blood pressure. All the money that she has been able to make has had to go towards her medical bills and taking care of my youngest brother. Thus I have been left with no way to pay for my living expenses. I was faced with the option of either leaving university and going home, or becoming a homeless university student. I sought help from Michael, a friend, and the driver for Matanya’s Hope’s Missions. He was able to accommodate me for several months. Unfortunately, once he married and his wife needed to move in I was no longer able to stay. At this point again I sought refuge in a friend. He has been able to house me for roughly three months. I have turned to every friend, every family member. I am completely out of options. People just do not have the means to support me. I understand that. Now I have no idea where I will be living and have nowhere else to turn. At this point it looks like I will be truly homeless.“

As if getting a degree wasn’t hard enough by itself, Lawrence has been able to maintain extremely high marks despite being “homeless” and suffering a major loss. I admire his courage and determination. As a university student myself, his story has kept me up at night. I have pondered what it would be like to go through Lawrence’s experiences. I decided that I would do whatever I could to help him come up with his room and board. He has 11 months of school left. At $95 a month this is a very possible goal. Please, if you are able, help keep Lawrence in school. He has come so far. I know that if I was suffering the same difficulties, I would feel lost. Help give Lawrence a home, and keep his dream alive.

Carrie, Cheyenne, Savannah, Brooklynn and Ardean after returning lost documents to Matanya’s Hope.

Well, let’s just say, this post is straight from my heart.
No pretense.
No formalities.
Just the re-telling of a story for the world to hear.

PREVIOUSLY:
I decided to take the typhoid oral vaccine – though for those who know me,
you know my thoughts.
Figured, it’s better to just do it.

Lucky for me, I got every side effect but one.
Rash… headache…
you can read the insert if you want to know the rest.
Wasn’t pretty.
I kinda look like the human version of a dog with fleas the way I am scratching!

I just had too much to do to let any of that stop me.
With the mission days away,
I ran to the bank. Made my deposit.
Thank you sponsors and donors for every hard earned coin you are dedicating to our mission programs and kids.
2nd stop: PO Box. 2 envelops. Head pounding.

I had to go to Jewel.
My fridge is empty and my mom is coming.
Heavy storms expected tonight. No choice.

I push myself through Jewel. Collect the necessities and heck out as soon as I can… I just want to get home. My head really hurt.

I don’t even know what to do first.
I put the groceries away.
Then, I force myself to go to the computer to continue working on mission documents.
An hour passes.
Have not heard from mom. Hmm.
Two hours.
This doesn’t make sense.
I am getting worried.
2 1/2 hours…. now I am really worried. Why hasn’t she called yet?

My gosh!
My phone is in my purse!
I race to get it.
She’s called TWICE!

I immediately listen and learn that I missed the lunch I was invited to by mom and her friend.
I was so sad. I never want to give up a precious moment with my mom.

But I’m glad she’s safe.

I push “call” to return her call. She sounds unusually close.
It was pretty hilarious actually.
Mom is at my front door!

After a beautiful reunion,
we go into my house.
Within moments, I notice that I am missing important documents.
I haaaaaaad them.
I can picture them.
Manila envelop.
2 long white envelops sticking out.
Papers folded inside.
Where is it.
I go through my steps, one by one.
I can see it so clearly.
PLEASE SURFACE (I’m begging God).
PLEASE.
I can’t do this.
NOT NOW.

It’s no where.
I go through my car.
Through my papers.
In every room I’ve entered…and rooms I didn’t enter.
My mom checks.
My son checks.
HE goes through my car.

I am so stressed.
Let’s just say these papers are critical.
And my tithe money is in there too… money I am saving to send a girl to school.
My heart is breaking.
I talk to God…. maybe someone was supposed to find it? Maybe they need it more than Linzy? I don’t know what to think. God, I really need these documents. Please Lord, please… ”

Mom and I get into the car and retrace my steps.
Jewel doesn’t have it.
I drive around in the parking lot. It’s not in any shopping carts.
I go to the post office. They don’t have it.

I have not been anywhere else.
I know the money is gone.
My head is about to burst from the headache and the added stress.

We get home.
I want to cry – but I need to maintain calm… for me….for my mom…
I open a book looking for solace.
“For we brought nothing into the world and we take nothing out of it.” it says.

Somehow, those words melted the stress away from me like heat to butter.
I let go.
“It’s not mine”, I thought. “It’s money and paper. All can be replaced. It’s not worth the stress I have been putting on myself.” I let it go.
Wow.
I checked in with myself… really?
That simple?
Yeah I really let it go.

That night I tried to sleep, but the stress kept me awake until 4:39 am.
Sometimes there is just no escape.
I was going to have to call…
and in the mean time, pray
that these papers appear.

I still had to do the hardest thing.
Deep breath.
I picked up the phone…
and…
I called one of the people who’s letter I thought I lost.

I had to.
I can’t tell you that Lying did not cross my mind.
It felt like such a tempting option…
but
I could not do it.
I don’t want to lie.

VM
Oh thank God!
I left an honest message…integrity and calm.
RELIEF.

I kissed the remaining idea of that money good bye.
Have to believe that whoever found it would need it more than I or Linzy.

The cycle of preparations continued like a whirlwind.

The relief was great, but a sense of urgency was quick to fill the gap. Documents, entries on the computer, phone calls, conversations with members of the board… my brain was quickly becoming fried. I was exhausted.

I mean exhausted. When my phone rang, I could hardly look.
It’s an unrecognized number…
It almost hurt to expend the energy, but something inside of me said “get it”.
I took the call.
“Is this Michelle Stark”, they asked.
“Yes it is”, I replied.
“Hi, my name is Adean. My sister found your envelop.”
“Oh my gosh! Really!
Thank you! Thank you!” I could hardly believe what I was hearing!

We met at Starbucks… hugged, exchanged stories…shared coffee…got my envelop back…
and my mom and I celebrated a family of angels, right here in the USA.

The gift of honesty is so profound.
You don’t have to travel far from home to do missions.
Just be kind to others.
Live right….
And the world is a better place.

To Arlean, Carrie and 3 beautiful, amazing children…
Thank you so much

TOGETHER, we can make a difference!

Your support is making an impact on the children we serve in Kenya.

The lives of these precious people are being changed, comforted… and given hope
because YOU care.

TODAY, you can help make a difference in the lives of so many by saying YES!

YOUR DONATIONS TRANSFORM LIVES!

YOU CAN:
SPONSOR A CHILD

Jeff Wambugu, sponsored by BJ and Harry, receives a book during the Matanya’s Hope mission.

Sponsorship is the ultimate gift of HOPE.
“Give and it is you who shall receive.” HOPE makes a difference. That is exactly how Matanya’s Hope feels about each one of the precious students in our program! We are so humbled for each one of you who’s unselfish actions have helped make a way for those in desperate need.

Matanya’s Hope is passionate about loving these children every day as best as we can. Because of your compassion and support, HOPE is being received through education and as one of the greatest gifts these children have ever received! Thank you! The stories we share are stories that you made possible through sponsorship and Changing the World ONE CHILD AT A TIME!

DONATE A BLANKET

Moreen Mbogo celebrates the gift of her very own blanket!

Through Matanya’s Hope, not only are the physical needs of our children being met, but we are sharing the gift of HOPE…of prayer…and of love with human beings across the globe. This world becomes very special. People across the globe are knitted together through the gift of love.

Our blanket donors have not only created a legacy of warmth for these children, but they have delivered the message of HOPE and LOVE with each blanket! ONE KNOT AT A TIME… these fleece blankets are amde from recycled plastic. Therefore, they are excellent in retaining body heat, something so valuable to anyone trying to sleep on a cold night. You may not find the villages we visit on a map, but infrared will surely pick up the new-found warmth in homes across Kenya’s terrain.

SEND A PAIR OF SHOES

Imagine I had no good shoes and now I have these! Thank you!

I am constantly amazed by the goodness of people through the gift of SOLES to SOULS. I’ve witnessed God’s blessings through thousands of new or gently used shoes, labeled, packed in boxes and finally delivered to Matanya’s Hope recipients across Kenya.

It takes a compassionate heart… empathy… and the desire to do something beyond self to make this world a better place like you are doing! Most children where we serve have little more than a torn pair of pants/skirt and a top. Until recently, few had the privileged access to so much as a jacket. Affordability challenged the very basic comforts of life. Thank you for your support. Through your donations to Matanya’s Hope, so many more children are being clothed in your child’s hand-me-downs and are now walking to school in the comfort of shoes! Amazing!

PROVIDE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR A CHILD IN NEED

Lisa Leger donates thousands of crayons, pencils, markers, erasers & pencil sharpeners to Matanya’s Hope students.

FEED A SCHOOL 1 HOT MEAL A DAY FOR A YEAR FOR ONLY 6 CENTS A DAY PER CHILD!

Hot Nutritious Porridge is made from locally grown grains and is cooked daily to feed more than 850 students.

As soon as our mission team saw the hunger and dehydration which ravaged so many children of rural Kenya, we knew we could do something to help. Through your donations, we have been able to feed almost 1,000 hungry children every day of school! Through the gift of Micronutrients, we have been able to assure that 1,500 children get every vitamin and mineral they need on a daily basis.

Children are coming to school to eat. In exchange for this marvelous gift, they are learning and are growing stronger by the day. Schools are reporting that children are rarely missing school due to sickness and are demonstrating increasing stamina and alertness. These donations are nothing short of a miracle…and an answered prayer. Thank you for your hearts!

It costs only 6 cents a day to feed one child!!!

DONATE A CHICKEN AND PROVIDE FOOD AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR AN ENTIRE FAMILY!

Thanks to Kelly, several families received the gift of chickens during Christmas this year!

What a privilege it is to be the heart and the eyes which get to witness loving these children. Your gifts help to transform a hurting world to a world of hope and wonder. These gifts don’t erase being orphaned or poor … but they do bring hope and that is a huge part of the answer to these people’s prayers!

The gift of chickens enables families to harvest nutritional eggs not only for consumption, but also for sale. Sometimes this gift enables a family to earn a living for the first time in their lives.

Chickens are a remarkable gift that doesn’t cost much but provides a family with the gift of life!

We believe even greater things are going to take place this mission!

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

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