This is Dominic. The first time we met, he would NOT make eye contact. When I crawled my finger over to his arm, he slapped me like a bug, then burst out crying. HMM lovely first meeting. He is shown here in his first year in school at Sawa Academy. From shy to confident! Julie,…
OH, another, IS IT WORTH IT? Raphael was one of the first young men we met in Mangu. He was living with his siblings and single Mom. He had just been sent home from school for fees. We hired him so he could begin saving for his fees, but one volunteer came forward and assisted…
Some of you remember our first FIVE Kenyan children. Well they are grown and flown but they do return to share! It was wonderful to see Kamau arrive with pictures of his wife and DAUGHTER! He desires to be the Dad he never had. I am asked often – Is it worth it?? What do…
YIPPEE! John Gachau has been with JWHS, Expanding Opportunities since 2004. His sponsor took him to college. This is the result of his first semester in college! Is sponsorship worth it? 6 A’s and 3 B’s I think it is.
Little Grace hides behind her mother’s chair as we hear her story. Painfully shy the little girl, though 7 years old, has not started her education. Her mother is afraid that her daughter will never attend school and that she will be punished for “keeping” her child from school though the reason is lack of…
Joshua has been with us for several years. This year he completed his standard eight examination. He is older and not academically inclined. The Sweet? We have found him employment and education with our great mechanic friend Bossi. Today we left him for his first day with Bossi. We have also found him a single…
Northern Kenya is a land of vast expanses of dry acacia bush, and dusty clay, with a rugged, mountainous rocky backdrop. Hidden in its seemingly deserted and wild immensity lie many small villages, a thousand or so people in each living in small mud houses; living close to the land; in harmony and agony with…
There is a frustration that builds in a volunteer in Africa. Sometimes it just has to come out. It may not be the rational response; it may not indicate time for a change but it is raw emotion – so here it is. Gotta Get it Out! By Nobody who is Somebody like Anybody else…
The wind comes in the night rattling the open flaps of my tent. Is that rain? The long waiting dry hopes for rain. Crinkling, electric wind but no rain, moist winds teasing at the thirsty ground, picking any remaining moisture from the soil to tease another waiting ear.
People often ask how the decision of which children to accept into the Joseph Waweru Home School is made. The short answer is that it is not easy. The long answer involves each individual story, lots of prayer and a vote. Personal referrals, churches, Children’s Bureaus, missionaries, serendipitous meetings on the street – all are…
Expanding Opportunities selects children from the millions of orphaned, rejected and destitute children in Kenya. The selection process is a painful privilege. This is a story of one child who was NOT selected. Many ask how the decision of which children to accept into the Joseph Waweru Home School is made. The short answer is…
After several years of trying, finally it will happen. With a rented van, traveling companions and our Baobab Bag finisher, we are off to the ladies who harvest, prepare and weave Baobab bags. Traveling the first day on what we once thought were rough roads, potholes and speed bump ridden wide dirt roads, our journey…
Mama Mwangi: A Special African Woman Her name is Theresa, but she is Mama Mwangi to all who know and love her. She rises early to be sure her adopted boys have their breakfast and get off to school. Then she tends the cows and begins breakfast for everyone else who is around. Her husband…
A story of the origins of Expanding Opportunities and a peek into the life of Street Children in Kenya. The ragged dirty boy held out his hand. My heart tried to ignore him. But there he was standing in front of me. I shake my head and move on, a bundle of mixed emotions. I…
This is Leengo. She is a student at Kipsing Aademy in Kipsing, Kenya. Kipsing is a small isolated village about 78 very rough kilometers from Isiolo. It is a home to the Samburu tribe, a very traditional pastoralist community. Originally established by the Catholic Church, Kipsing Academy is now a public school. At its helm…
A letter from one of the boys: I can not tell what you go through in life for us to live comfortably, get an education clothes and food. I lack words to express my thanks, love and concern to you. You really mean a lot to me. You are such a loving, caring and a…
GRADUATION DAY! Joseph Waweru Home School has their first 2 high school graduates! They both performed very well on their KSCE examination.
This is Twiga. I’m very happy when writing what Expanding Opportunities has done to me and has given me thirst. I would like to say I cannot manage to write all of them down, but God in heaven knows. Here are some : 1. It has provided all the basic needs. 2. Introduced me to…
by Volunteer Ellie Honan Tuesday, January 5, 2010 I am fast approaching the two month mark of my return home and have now spent more time in Kenya than that which remains, so I have been thinking a lot about my experiences here and how they have affected me. It struck me the other day…
by Volunteer Ellie Honan Expanding Opportunities, Kenya I’m here!!! I’ve actually been here for a week. So sorry I haven’t posted at all. Things did not turn out as planned, which I am learning is often the way in Kenya. Bev and I had some mishap on the road and then we stopped at her…
