Tragedy Comes to Tenderfeet

Tragedy has come to Tenderfeet. Unfortunately, what has happened is not unusual in the horrible conditions of the slums.

One of the parents of a student has died. Jeffson Ochoki (see picture to the right) is a 5 year old student at Tenderfeet, whose two older brothers had also attended the school. Mama Margaret has known and cared about this family for many years. Both parents were HIV positive. Their father's health has prevented him from working for some time now, and he has basically withdrawn from life, spending most of the time in bed, silently shutting out the world.

Their mother, Jane, had done everything possible to pick up the slack. She worked tirelessly as she struggled to earn enough to pay for rent and groceries. On a good month, she could earn $50-$70 by washing other peoples' clothes in a small washtub and doing other odd jobs she was able to find. With this income, the family might just get by, as long as there were no surprises or emergencies.

Unfortunately, the weather in Nairobi has been cold and damp for months (at almost 6000 ft elevation it often gets quite chilly). This, on top of her HIV, having her hands always in the cold water of washtubs as well as the unsanitary conditions of Kibera, probably led to Jane developing a case of pneumonia.

Because her family didn't have the $30 on hand that it would take to go to the doctor or get medication, her condition got worse and she died in her bed this week. Usually, when a parent or guardian gets sick, Mama Margaret and the Tenderfeet team (together with Lahash donors) spring into action and make sure the parent or guardian receives proper medical attention. Jacklyn Otieno (who is now much-improved, see picture to the right) is a single mother whose life was recently saved this way. Shadrack's life was also saved through his brain surgery.

Time and time again, Tenderfeet has come to the rescue of the desperately ill. Sadly, Margaret was away on school business while school was out on break, and didn't hear about what happened until she got back and it was too late. Our hearts are broken by this cruel and needless loss of life. Now the four children are essentially orphans, since their father is physically and mentally unable to take care of them.

When you think that $30 probably could have saved Jane, it becomes clear how important every donation is. Many donors are already making a huge difference for these children and their community. For more information about getting involved, please email dmitchell@lahash.net.

Faces of Sudan

Caleb Brown uploaded some beautiful photos of the team working among the vulnerable in Sudan. Please pray for these people who are struggling to survive in the harsh region of Southern Sudan. Pray for healing of body and soul and mind. Pray that a wave of peace and grace will give hope to a new generation. Pray that God's good news will permeate the land. Pray that we all will work toward Justice and Equality for all humanity.

Historic Dodoma Conference Unifies Partners

This past week, Lahash partners from across East Africa were hosted at the Mennonite Church in Dodoma, Tanzania. Sam Geri, Magaret Modong, Edwin Angote, Leisha Adams, Nick Korir, Margaret Wanjiku, and Dr. Oronje joined Jo French, and Amos Muhagachi and his wife Esther for the first ever Regional East Africa Conference.

The conference started a couple days late, as many of the team had traveled many days and were delayed by breakdowns, rainy weather, and buses running out of fuel.
The group was welcomed by our Dodoma partners, and then were encouraged by Mama Bette to make prayer a priority in each person's service.

Pastor Amos gave an encouraging speech on accountability and teamwork through ministry, and Leisha presented Lahash's values and expectations of our partnerships.

Dr. Oronje also shared on HIV home care, transmission of the virus, and some unique family situations where HIV is present. There were also trainings on accounting methods, digital photography, database use, and finally a round-table discussion on administration and questions from each of the partners.

The conference was a wonderful event to unify the partners, and let the unique experiences of our East African partners encourage and inspire each other in their work. Please pray for each of them as they head back to their respective home towns - especially Dr. Oronje. His mother-in-law just passed away, and the family could use prayer for comfort during this time.

Getting Ready for School to Resume

The third school term (covering the three months of September through November) begins soon, and the start of the term is a very difficult time for most needy families in the slums of Eldoret. Schools require even the poorest students to wear uniforms, pay school fees, and sometimes even demand the students purchase and bring a desk.

Sadly, this means that many children cannot attend school, even when both the parents and children desperately want them to. The costs are simply out of reach for a struggling family that may not even be able to afford rent and groceries.

For instance, Jeremiah Kitonga's four school-age children (see picture on the right) will need four uniforms ($18), shoes and socks ($18), two desks ($21), school fees ($31), and bags for carrying books ($12). Altogether, this is $100, which is two month's salary for many families.

Currently, Lahash donors are trying to ensure several families can afford school costs. If you would like to help in assisting some of the families in the slums with these school expenses, please contact dmitchell@lahash.net, or you may want to have the additional connection with an individual child through sponsorship (in fact, two of Kitonga's children, Ruth and Samwel, need sponsors). Online donations are also appreciated.

2nd Brown Team Returns to Uganda

Caleb Brown and his team of Liz, Ashley, and John have arrived back in Kampala after a wonderful time in Southern Sudan with the kids of St. Bartholomew's orphanage. They visited foster families, took the kids to the health center, and helped with various construction projects.

John and Liz were only able to stay for 1 month, so the team came back down to Kampala (Uganda's capital) to escort Liz and John to the airport.

John was able to use some guitar skills in making some music for the kids and the community. As the team traveled home, they hit some torrential rains (which are coming down so hard they are destroying the crops). Edwin Angote, our regional coordinator wrote the following:

"We are currently in Kampala after a long journey from Kajo-Keji. It took us 14 hours from Adjumani to Kampala due to heavy rains. Big trucks heavily packed from Kampala got stuck on the way. It reached a point where there was no way through to Kampala. Our bus got stuck twice trying to turn to the opposite direction so that we could use a different route. All was in vain - we had to use the same route and luckily enough the truck that got stuck was rescued and we were able to go through. This happened 4 times in different areas!"

Leisha & Sam stop in Eldoret

Leisha Adams has been assisting with our finances for the past year here at Lahash. She and her father Sam are currently traveling across Kenya, and she stopped by the SCF offices in Eldoret to see Nick and the work being done there.

While she was there she visited and interviewed a couple of the individuals and families that are receiving assistance through the SCF Sponsorship program. She mentioned the following about their trip,
"We traveled to Eldoret that afternoon, expecting a five-ish hour car trip. The best thing I can say about that seven-hour, brutal ride is that it ended...at about eleven that night. Dad got the adventure of driving the rutted, undeveloped roads in the dark, during a thunderstorm, dodging potholes bigger than our Nissan sedan while peering through the pouring rain and steam rising up from the road.

Despite the trying trip there, Eldoret was a blessing, as always. We met up with Nick Kip Korir and Dr. Donald Oronje of Silas Christian Foundation (www.hopeforeldoret.org) and toured their new office space and Nick's home, which are now in the same building for security purposes. We met with friends Jeremiah Kitonga, Grace Mukami, and Regina Wanja in their homes. I was so blessed by their warmth and hospitality, and it was encouraging to me how encouraging it was to them that I had come back to see them."They've now arrived in Nairobi, and will be traveling tomorrow or the next day by bus to Tanzania. Please pray for the team as they travel.

Tenderfeet News

School is out in the month of August in Kenya, and this includes Tenderfeet. But still much is going on. A potential new site has been identified for the school in a much better area of Kibera.

Partial progress was made this past week on a land survey. In Kenya, an official survey is a multi-step process. First, the existence of the plot area itself must be checked in person and the records are then put together.

The next step is to measure the edges of the plot itself and where it lies on the map. This is supposed to take place tomorrow (August 20). Lahash treasurer Leisha Adams and her father Sam visited last week and met the landowner, Margaret Wambui (see picture to the right, where they enjoy a meal at Mama Margaret's house). When the survey is finished, we should have a good idea of how much money must be raised to purchase the plot.

In other news, Shadrack is responding well to being taken off his medication. As mentioned before, following his surgery in March, has has been kept on medication to keep his body stable while it recovers. According to the doctors, everything looks good so far. What a long and difficult journey it's been, but what a blessing to see how well he is doing now!

Unfortunately, things have not gone as well for Jacklyn Otieno lately. Recall that Jacklyn's son Collins (pictured below right) attends Tenderfeet, and Jacklyn has received assistance while she struggles with her health problems. After seeing her health improve for a few months, she had a bad fall which has severely injured her legs. She was able to get X-rays which showed no bones were broken. However, the pain has been so bad, she has not even been able to walk. There is a chance it was a muscle or ligament tear.

Yesterday, Frank Atieli and Mama Margaret's husband Daniel took Jacklyn groceries and pain medication prescribed by the doctor (Mama Margaret is visiting a cousin out of town). When they arrived, the situation was quite serious. The family (Jacklyn and her two children) had run out of money and had not been getting enough to eat.

Collins was in tears because of his hunger and concern for his mother. Thanks to Lahash donors, the family received a real boost and is now eating better, and Jacklyn will get continued medical help. Please pray for this family that they will overcome the severe hardships they have been facing.

Podcast - Interview with Dr. Oronje

Dr. Oronje is the doctor in the slums of Munyaka and Silas. He runs a small clinic there and has joined forces with Nick Korir in assisting the people of the region with HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and treatment. He also works at the AMPATH center in Eldoret - Africa's premiere AIDS treatment facility - offering free testing and treatment to anyone with AIDS.

Doug Holcomb interviewed Dr. Oronje earlier this year and we have the podcast online for you to enjoy:


Dr. Oronje Interview MP3

Meet Susan Tabia

Susan Tabia is the founder of the Amazing Grace and St. Bartholomew orphanages. She is an inspiration to many, many people across several continents. Her compassion is revered across Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda.

Our regional coordinator Edwin Angote sat down with her for an interview yesterday. You can read her comments by clicking below:

Susan Tabia Interview

Lyla Advocates for Sudan

Lyla Peterson was our team nurse in winter 06/07, and has been canvasing Portland with the issues facing our friends in Uganda and Sudan. She and a friend named Betty Jones (see the photo on the right) have been selling crafts, attending events, and preparing for more medical assistance for our Sudanese Orphanages.

This past Sunday Lyla, Nate Grubbs, and Dana Bertermann spoke to a local gathering of 35. Nate presented a viewing of his fantastic photo collection. See Flickr photos here.

Leisha heads to Dodoma

Leisha Adams, currently assisting Lahash with Sponsorship and Finances, flew from Portland to East Africa on Monday. She'll be touring the partnerships in Kenya and Tanzania, and assisting at the first Regional Conference in Dodoma. Her father Sam is also joining her to see the work and experience some of the culture and sights of Kenya. Pray for them as they travel.

Solar Power in Sudan

The donations for the solar panels have enabled Susan, Edwin, and the team to purchase the array pictured below. It is installed on the new infant home at the St. Bartholomew orphanage. The photo to the left is the lighting system hooked up in the new home. Edwin reports, "The infants home is complete, the beddings are yet to be brought from Kampala and very soon the infants will be admitted to the home. "The construction has been moving forward rapidly with the roofing structure of the boys dorm now in place (see below). Edwin writes, "The team is doing fine and healthy. A lot has been going on ever since the team arrived. Susan is so glad to have the team around, they are a blessing to her and she appreciates this all the time. St Bartholomew's is growing when it comes to the buildings and the children are also increasing in number. The boys dormitory is now on the roofing level thanks to the Fritz family for the support."
"It's amazing to see how the Lord can use the young generation in serving him wholeheartedly, and this is what has been going on ever since the first team was here and same to this team. Caleb and Ashley are doing a great job in child sponsorship of all the orphanages. Liz has been making sure that all the kids including the workers are healthy by attending to them giving out medicines, dressing wounds, and teaching the older kids to do the same. Today we are taking the young ones to the hospital for HIV test and some few checkups.
Jonathan has been helping me out on fixing the solar panels and at the moment that is done. In the next couple of days we will be visiting the community and the leper colony and some few projects to be done before we leave for Kampala."

The Internet comes to St. Bart's!

The Brown team has been busy at work in Southern Sudan. A donation came in from Tara Suri and the H.O.P.E. Foundation to help purchase Solar Panels. Edwin then wired the panels to batteries and the team was able to set up the computers Caleb had donated from his old workplace. And... the other evening they were able to set up a phone connection which now enables them to receive internet access! Pretty cool. www.sudanorphans.com

The photo below is of Alpyius' grand daughter. She was born with Hydrocephalus (known as water on the brain) - and because of their remote location have been unable to take her in for treatment. Caleb and the team arranged a medical evacuation flight for the little girl last week. Please pray for the little girl as this procedure is risky especially at her advance condition.

Rain and Rape in Eldoret

Nick Korir is pictured on the right. He and several others attended a large rally yesterday and talked to the community about HIV/AIDS. The roads are covered in murky brown water from the rain, but 6,000 people showed up, and Nick was able to talk for 45 minutes. A member of parliament, Mr. Joseph Langat, was in attendance as well.

Nick and the team in Eldoret, Kenya work to provide assistance and awareness to confront the problems of HIV/AIDS affecting the slums there. His work is featured on the HopeForEldoret.org website.

The photo below is of Dr. Oronje feeding milk to a woman the other night. Nick and the team were called over to Grace Mukami's home where they found two men had drugged and raped this young woman. Dr. Oronje tried to flush out the poison with milk. Pray for the people of Munyaka slums! Pounded by poverty, joblessness, corruption, and AIDS, the desperation levels are high. Pray that our team there will be kind and loving instruments of the body of Christ.
At the beginning of the month, people arrived at the office for assistance. We primarily help families dealing with HIV/AIDS, children who need sponsored, and 5 ladies in the Sex Worker Recovery program (Renew). Some of the ladies, along with SCF workers Edna and Agrapina are pictured below.
The beginning of the month is also a day of excitement where those in the program receive small food allowances, clothes, uniforms, school assistance, and this month - Grace Mukami got a real mattress for her family of four.

Lahash Trip 06/07 Reunion

Last Friday Dana Berterman organized a get-together for the team that traveled in winter of 06/07. We had a great time reviewing our trip, and hearing about Leisha's upcoming trip to Kenya and Tanzania this month. She'll be flying out in a week to be with our partners for the first Regional East Africa Conference in Dodoma. Please be praying for that conference and for Leisha's trip.

Office Complete!

Thanks to everyone who's assisted with the Portland office renovation work! The paint job and ceiling are complete, and now it's just figuring out the new homes for all of our papers, files, and computer parts. Thanks especially to Jim Anderson for his professional trim work among other things. Come on by for a visit if you'd like!

Brown team stops in at Amazing Grace

Edwin reports that the team is doing well after their trip up to Adjumani. They stopped in at the Amazing Grace orphanage briefly - the photo above is the team playing improvised tug-o-war with the orphans - and then headed out to Kajo Keji Sudan.

They packed up the newly repaired lorry with supplies for the journey and the construction at St. Bartholomew's. Thanks for your prayers everyone!

Brown team 2 Heads to Amazing Grace

Caleb, John, Ashley, and Liz have arrived safely at the Amazing Grace orphanage. The photo above is when the team piled in the van for the early morning departure (4 AM!). They spent several days in Kampala purchasing materials for the time in Southern Sudan. Edwin Angote wrote:

"The economy in Southern Sudan is under-developed, everything comes in from Uganda and that's why most of the building materials are bought here in Kampala because of the high prices in Sudan."

The visitors from the U.S. also spent time getting to know the 15 orphans in Susan's home. They purchased a tub of ice cream for the kids a few days ago which was enjoyed immensely! Little Catherine Juan is see below dipping out some of the chocolate.

They were also able to purchase a used motorcyle for the work in Southern Sudan, and Caleb has been setting up a couple computers that were donated from his old workplace.

Please pray for this team as they head up into Sudan. Pray that they will be healthy and safe, and that they will be an encouragement for the Sudanese and Ugandan children they will be visiting.

Thanks to all of you supporters of this team. Susan is so encouraged by the team's presence. She wrote yesterday:

"I have peace since those of Edwin and Caleb came by because they are shouldering the work and I have enough time for laughing and singing Arabic Gospel songs. Ashley and those who came with her are wonderful people as well."