In Kenya, those students who perform well enough on the national exam and are blessed to afford to do so attend boarding school for their high school experience.    Such is the case with 5 young students from Dala Kwe.  Susan was the first to arrive home, looking so grown-up in her maroon and white St. Margarets uniform.  There was a scream of excitement as she approached Dala Kwe from the back of a motorbike and hugs and fond greetings were exchanged all around.  A hen was slaughtered in her honor and the festivities of the next few days began.

By the morning of the following day, Nicholas arrived to a similar welcome with Victorine close behind.  By evening the next day, all 5 of the form 1 students were home and questions were flying.  It reminded me of my first son’s homecoming after his first few weeks at Temple University.  Lizzy wanted to know if they were getting enough food.  ”Yes, food was plentiful, lots of beans and corn and meat two meals/week.  You had to buy bread with your own spending money.”  Pr. Simon was interested to know if they had been bullied and they were all quick to report that the schools are very strict about their “No Bullying” policies.  Of course, we all wanted to know if they were academically prepared for their studies and they felt they were.  Then I learned about “Dawns and preps”.  I kid you not, these students are up at 4:00 am for “dawns”.  This is a time of personal study before class.  Formal class begins at 6:30.  I simply had to know how they stayed awake at such an hour…the answer: they put their feet in cold water.  Preps begins at 7:00 pm and continues until 10:00 pm when they do their homework and further study.  It seems that all of their day is spent on school work.

The ladies who assist with cooking for these 80+ children found time to learn that the food they miss most is a taste of Chapati and Omena.  You guessed it, before they all left to return to school, care packages of Chapati and Omena had been prepared and as the kids climbed on the back of motorbikes to return to school, care packages were strapped on the back and 200 kshs ($1.60) spending money tucked into their palm.

So you see, the care packages might contain different delicacies but the love and the tenderness is the same!

To so many of us, these are much more than just “starving kids in Africa”.  These are children with names and faces, with smiles and stories.  We’ve laughed with them,  sung with them, danced with them and hugged them.  These are our friends and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

As we have seen in the news, food shortages abound and prices are skyrocketing through out the horn of Africa.  Dala Kwe has not been spared the crisis.  Their current situation is urgent as finances had been allowing the children only one meal each day.  Their director put it so simply…”Wendi, it’s a win/win.  If they receive food, then it is a mighty miracle of God and if they starve to death then they are in the loving arms of their Lord in heaven.  Either way, they win!”   I’m praying for the mighty miracle of God!

I would ask that you help by giving today.  Might you consider a monthly contribution or a one time donation of any amount to help feed, clothe and educate these children?   Please note that this is a “Good Samaritan” fund and is NOT associated with any non-profit organization so your gift is not tax deductible.  100% of your gift, however, will provide for the ongoing needs of the Dala Kwe Children’s Center.

My humble thanks to you all  ~ Wendi