Visiting our Students
Recently we spent three weeks in Oyugis and had the chance to meet with many of our sponsored students.
Recently we spent three weeks in Oyugis and had the chance to meet with many of our sponsored students. Unfortunately, soon after arriving we came down with a severe upper respiratory illness that kept us from venturing out too much into the community. Although we did make a trip out to visit our students at Omboga Secondary.
During the weeks we spent getting over our illness, several of our sponsored students stopped by the house to greet us. Some of them I had not had the pleasure of meeting in person before and was thrilled they came by to say hello.
One afternoon, a young man who was in his final year of Secondary School arrived. This was the 4th year Olalo sponsored his education. Over the years we had exchanged a few letters, but like many of the others, this was our first in-person meeting.
There was a time in the past when things got a little rocky for him and we weren’t sure we would continue sponsoring him. Wanting all our kids to succeed we stepped in and got things on track.
On this day, he sat down beside me on this small loveseat and we talked for an hour. For the first 40 minutes he continually expressed his gratitude and thankfulness to Olalo for giving him this life-changing opportunity to get an education and impact his life. He talked about his past struggles in school and how he now had a plan for his life that he is working hard to achieve.
He wants to succeed for himself, his family and his community. He wants to succeed so he can help others succeed as well and break this cycle of poverty.
I have to admit there are times when trying to keep our education program going is frustrating when trying to meet tuition payments on time and as the list grows with more kids needing financial help to attend school.
But this one hour spent with this sincere young man who finally sees a future for himself was both humbling and tearful for me and reminded me what it’s really all about. The frustrations fade away as the focus moves more to what we are achieving by giving kids an opportunity to change the cycle of poverty into a new cycle of hope and direction through education.
Thank you to every one of you who have invested into the lives of these young people. Know that you are appreciated so much not only by Olalo, but by the children you are sponsoring.
Nyasaye Ogwedhi!
Merry Broughal
Olalo of Hope-Kenya
Up, Running and Saving Money Already!
With the great support we received from you through Global Giving, plus some outside sponsors, we were able to reach an amount that allowed the purchase of a mini-van for medical and community support purposes.
It is with great satisfaction and excitement that we can close this project on Global Giving because Olalo of Hope-Kenya has successfully purchased a vehicle!
With the great support we received from you through Global Giving, plus some outside sponsors, we were able to reach an amount that allowed the purchase of a mini-van for medical and community support purposes.
The purchase came late last month and within days was put into life-saving action. Already it has been used multiple times to transport people from Oyugis to receive medical evaluations, surgery and treatments into both neighboring cities of Kisii and Kisumu. It has also been used to deliver food products to several families in need of basic support.
We are so very thankful and grateful for your support through this project. The money that has already been saved by not having the need to hire a taxi or renting a vehicle to transport urgent medical care patients has been left in our Urgent Medical Care Fund to help others in need.
When you supported us in the project to purchase a van, you didn’t realize it, but you joined with us to help others receive urgent medical care and much needed food basics. One good thing leads to another.
Thank you for being part of the Olalo family, and for making a difference in the lives of those in Oyugis, Kenya!
Merry Broughal
Olalo of Hope-Kenya
An Amazing Week In Health
It’s been an amazing time in the lives of many of the poor and sick in Oyugis in the last few months, in the last few weeks! And what has made it so amazing?
YOU!
It was your support to our medical fund that made it all possible. Thank You!!!
It was just a few weeks ago when Sonko, our amazing volunteer in Kenya was at the hospital with a person suffering with pneumonia when he overheard the nurses talking about three-year-old Joram.
Joram had been left at the hospital 5 days earlier. Her father had abandoned her, her mother rarely visited and no one was treating the large open wound on her thigh because there was no money to pay. It also meant she hadn’t eaten for awhile. Sonko bought food for the child and paid to cover her medical expenses from Olalo's Medical program and Community Support for her food and water.
While he was still there, Sonko met a young mother of 3-month-old twin boys who were both admitted into the hospital, but again, no money, so they weren’t being treated. Just the week before, this mother had lost another child although we don’t know why. One of the twins, Denis, was suffering with malaria, the other, Evance severe malnutrition. Sonko immediately paid for the twins’ care, but sadly it ended up being too late for Evance who died later that day. Denis is recovering and getting stronger.
And then there is 17-year-old Alex. Alex was brought to the hospital by a person who saw him get run over by a passing motorcycle while walking to school. He broke off a tooth and was having pain in his chest area. He had no money so he didn’t want to go, but the person who rescued him insisted on dropping him at the hospital. When they discovered he had no money, they would not treat him. Sonko heard about him and immediately paid for his medical care out of Olalo's Medical funds.
These are just three stories and there are more…all within hours and within days. Injuries, disease, accidents and illness – all with one thing in common…they received urgent medical care because YOU cared enough to give to our Urgent Medical Needs Project.
On behalf of Olalo of Hope-Kenya and all the family and loved ones of our patients, and future patients because of your continued support, I thank you! Your generosity is saving lives.
We can't do it without you!
Nyasaye Ogwedhi!
Merry Broughal
Olalo of Hope-Kenya
YOU are Saving Lives in Kenya - Thank You!
On behalf of the many children, women and men that received urgent medical care in just the last month…and from Olalo of Hope-Kenya, we want to say THANK YOU! Your generous donations allowed Olalo of Hope-Kenya to provide the funds needed to get the urgent medical care for those who would otherwise go without due to their poverty.
Malaria, typhoid, diabetes, asthma, injuries, intestinal viruses...all diagnosed and treated in May, and most are on the road to recovery. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our supporters...without YOU!
Most times the need for urgent medical care comes to Olalo through others who are aware of the need. Sometimes, it just happens.
Like the day one of Olalo volunteers was talking with the pharmacist about our vitamin distribution plan when a woman runs in struggling to breathe. Gasping for breath, she pleaded for something to help but was told they couldn’t give her anything without permission from a doctor. In despair she said she had no money for a doctor. Our volunteer got her in a cab, brought her to the hospital and covered the cost of the cab, the hospital and the medication.
Sometimes, it just happens.
We are thankful he was in the right place at the right time, and because Olalo had the funds to get her help…that is all because of You and your generosity!
On June 15, GlobalGiving is running a campaign to match donations given online that day by 50%! If you would like to contribute to Olalo of Hope-Kenya to our medical, education or computer lab projects, check it out! It’s a great way to increase your donation without increasing your costs!
Thank you for joining with us at Olalo of Hope-Kenya to save lives and improve the health of those in need of urgent medical care!
With much appreciation….
Merry Broughal, Project Leader
Olalo of Hope-Kenya