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Kenya,
Africa ... Here We Come!
Last spring, we met two of the "Lost
Boys" from Sudan, Africa when they spoke at our community college.
These orphaned boys (now adults) inspired us with their tremendous drive
to study and receive an education.
We were hooked. How could we help
other homeless children like them achieve their educational dreams?
We contacted the Mully Children's
Foundation in Kenya, Africa, and they asked to come as volunteer teachers
this fall. We are now in the process of making final travel
arrangements.
What is the Mully Children's
Foundation?
| Charles Mulli was the son of an
alcoholic and abusive father. At the age of 6, he was deserted and
left on his own as a homeless child.
As a result of his exceptional capacity
to survive and his religious perspective, he became an extremely
successful entrepreneur. |
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Charles Mulli and "daughter" |
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A chance encounter with some homeless
boys ended with them stealing his car. It also caused him to change
his life. Recalling the difficulties associated with his own life,
he sold all of his businesses to become a "father" to these
disadvantaged children.
Opening his own home and his family to
several of these street children was just a first step. Today, there
are six different facilities providing family, education, occupational
training, health services, and a future for the homeless children of
Kenya.
These children range in age from
preschool to high school students. Many are HIV/AIDs orphans and
some are sexually abused girls. The MCF also offers services to
abused women.
MCF has successfully rehabilitated more
than 7000 children. There are another 2250 children
participating in the MCF homes at present.
 These homes are providing unbelievable
educational experiences. The homeless students are achieving at
higher educational levels than most of the Kenya systems. They also
sport a championship football and karate team, plus recognized dance and
vocal groups. This is an unbelievable success story for street and
abandoned children.
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| What Will We Be Doing? Our formal letter from MCI says that we
will be: "teaching various assigned subjects, spending time with the
children guiding and counseling them in line with the Christian teaching,
teaching them music and instruments, art training as well as helping the
children in their general chores in the home".
More importantly, we hope to learn much from this very successful humanitarian
experience. Hopefully, it will broaden our perspective for working
with disadvantaged youth.
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In addition, we look forward to
being immersed within this spiritual perspective that seems to embrace
the people, children, and staff MCF. We are thankful for the
opportunity to share with them.
Where Will We Be?We will be at the Ndalani home
(pronounced "Dalani"). There are 600 students (preschool-12)
there. It is approximately 100 kilometers to the east of
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya (Don't Google it because it apparently
does not exist except to the people who live there.)
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Ndalani is a semi arid area.
The MCI has established organic vegetable and fish farms that supply
food for the MCI homes and provide employment to abused women.
The farms are also a source of financial support for the MCF.
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Kenya is on the east coast of Africa
bordered by the Indian Ocean. It is supposed to be "The Garden of
Eden" where we as homo sapiens began our existence. It is also
one of the most beautiful countries in the world and known for its African
safaris. Kenya is also on the the US Defense Dept.'s traveler
warning list. Wish us luck!!!
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If you would like
further information about the Mully Children's Foundation, please
visit their web site www.mullychildrensfamily.org
If you would like to make a financial contribution to MCI,
please go to
http://www.mullychildrensfamily.org/support_mcf
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How Can You Keep Informed?
If you received an email inviting you to
this page, you are on our list. Otherwise email us at
share@collectingconsort.com
with Kenya in the subject line. We expect to use Face Book to share
photos, stories, etc. and allow you to communicate with us with your
questions and thoughts. We will keep you posted as our trip becomes
finalized.
Contributions
If you would like to make a tax
deductable contribution to our expenses, make check payable to FCC
Wakenhut Kenya Fund.
Send to:
1st. Cong. Church
126 E. Cass
Greenville, MI 48838
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