It is a small project that will have impact on Children's lives.
In January, 2017 I had the joy of spending 3 weeks in Kenya and traveled around doing over 40 programs for schools, colleges, churches and marketplaces. I met so many wonderful and generous people. I was hosted by a very sweet family - Pastor Peter and his wonderful wife Pastor Rose. They have 11 children - 5 are natural born and the other 6 are children they have taken in and adopted. I saw their kindness and love for these kids. And how well the children are doing. Peter's mother also has several abandoned children living up a her small home on the hill. The goal is to build a Children's Home and make it large enough to house 25-30 children. A full time teacher to live there costs about $1,400 a year. (Yes it is a different place indeed.) And the grandmothers, aunts uncles and others volunteer to watch over the kids and raise them up.
I met so many children who have lost parents due to various reasons and was really moved to do something.
The dream is to use some of that land up on the hill and construct a small home for the children. They have plenty of volunteers to help construct it and they own the land from inheritance so the only real challenge is coming up with building materials. The estimate sheet I have had put together shows $18,000 to complete this task. That is so reasonable. If we had to buy land it would be a lot more. Yes, the land is the expensive part so this is really a reachable goal. I also am hoping to get them a vehicle so they can use it as a delivery and transport service to make money to support the home for years to come and to transport the children to doctor or whatever. That would be an additional $7,500. SO If and when we get to the first goal of building the home, the next phase would be the vehicle. Finally in future they should be able to support the costs of the home and the teacher and children by the income they make from the vehicle. I want this all to be self sustainable when completed.
I have already sent money to help them start banana trees and other garden items so there will be plenty of good stuff growing right next to the home.
The place for this home is lovely and away from the noise and danger of the city. The hill overlooks valleys and other hills and the air is so clean up there. They can walk to school too over on the other side of a hill.
You can help in three ways. I can't do this alone and would really appreciate any help you consider.
#1 - If you can, please pray for the children and this project.
#2 - You can make a donation. - I am looking into a bank that will house this fund and will have details soon. The details will be posted on this webpage. This will not be tax educable. I am also currently looking to find a way so your gift can be tax deductible, but I have no time to start a 501c-3 by myself - - so I will try to find one that will partner with us on the project.
#3 You can help me set up a fund raising show in your town. I would bring in a delightful clean comedy show for your church or civic group and we can do a collection at the end. I would do this for your group at no charge. I would personally cover mileage, posters, promotional costs, etc. I will help with promotional ideas and make this very successful. We need only 2-3 weeks from the Yes to the completed show.
I figure if I can do 18 programs and raise a Thousand at each that $18,000 for Jeremiah's House would be done in a few months. Cool. Maybe I am too ambitious, maybe I am to optimistic, but I got to try some how to do this and would sure appreciate your help in any way!!
If you know someone who would like a very fun show like this at their Elks, Eagles, VFW, School, Church, anywhere! Call me please. I am trying to fill the calendar right now. All proceeds from the program will go to charity. And please tell someone you know about this as they might know the person who can say yest to this fun filled comedy show for adults, families and all ages. Bring the kids, they will like it too!
I also would be open to the idea of splitting the funds with your group. If your teen ministry or your Lions Club has a project - Cool - I will do the show, and split funds raised with your charity! I am sure this will bring in a good amount that can go to good causes. Yours along with my little project we call Jeremiah's House. I can just see the kids now - up on the hill, with good food and a pleasant environment. And the love of these people to help them move ahead so they can learn, grow and have successful futures. Call and we can discuss options and how to go about this fund raising entertainment with your group.
I met so many children who have lost parents due to various reasons and was really moved to do something.
The dream is to use some of that land up on the hill and construct a small home for the children. They have plenty of volunteers to help construct it and they own the land from inheritance so the only real challenge is coming up with building materials. The estimate sheet I have had put together shows $18,000 to complete this task. That is so reasonable. If we had to buy land it would be a lot more. Yes, the land is the expensive part so this is really a reachable goal. I also am hoping to get them a vehicle so they can use it as a delivery and transport service to make money to support the home for years to come and to transport the children to doctor or whatever. That would be an additional $7,500. SO If and when we get to the first goal of building the home, the next phase would be the vehicle. Finally in future they should be able to support the costs of the home and the teacher and children by the income they make from the vehicle. I want this all to be self sustainable when completed.
I have already sent money to help them start banana trees and other garden items so there will be plenty of good stuff growing right next to the home.
The place for this home is lovely and away from the noise and danger of the city. The hill overlooks valleys and other hills and the air is so clean up there. They can walk to school too over on the other side of a hill.
You can help in three ways. I can't do this alone and would really appreciate any help you consider.
#1 - If you can, please pray for the children and this project.
#2 - You can make a donation. - I am looking into a bank that will house this fund and will have details soon. The details will be posted on this webpage. This will not be tax educable. I am also currently looking to find a way so your gift can be tax deductible, but I have no time to start a 501c-3 by myself - - so I will try to find one that will partner with us on the project.
#3 You can help me set up a fund raising show in your town. I would bring in a delightful clean comedy show for your church or civic group and we can do a collection at the end. I would do this for your group at no charge. I would personally cover mileage, posters, promotional costs, etc. I will help with promotional ideas and make this very successful. We need only 2-3 weeks from the Yes to the completed show.
I figure if I can do 18 programs and raise a Thousand at each that $18,000 for Jeremiah's House would be done in a few months. Cool. Maybe I am too ambitious, maybe I am to optimistic, but I got to try some how to do this and would sure appreciate your help in any way!!
If you know someone who would like a very fun show like this at their Elks, Eagles, VFW, School, Church, anywhere! Call me please. I am trying to fill the calendar right now. All proceeds from the program will go to charity. And please tell someone you know about this as they might know the person who can say yest to this fun filled comedy show for adults, families and all ages. Bring the kids, they will like it too!
I also would be open to the idea of splitting the funds with your group. If your teen ministry or your Lions Club has a project - Cool - I will do the show, and split funds raised with your charity! I am sure this will bring in a good amount that can go to good causes. Yours along with my little project we call Jeremiah's House. I can just see the kids now - up on the hill, with good food and a pleasant environment. And the love of these people to help them move ahead so they can learn, grow and have successful futures. Call and we can discuss options and how to go about this fund raising entertainment with your group.
The Kenyan Flag Appears Magically during the show!
The children at school love to hear about the values of gaining knowledge and wisdom.
This is the Orphanage Site |
|
Pastor Ruth and husband Pastor Peter. Norm in the blue shirt. Behind us is the location for the orphanage - up on a hill away from the dusty town.
|
Here is a typical audience at a school . The kids were great listeners and seemed to really like the show. All the principals gave nice reviews and invited me back again.
|
|
After the show at a school in Kenya.
|
350 Elementary and Jr. High Students at a program in Kenya January 2017
Norm doing a program for a High School in Kenya January 2017
|
Under the shade of a couple beautiful trees for 400 elementary through high school students.
|
|
|
|
|
Fishermen on Lake Victoria. Kenya borders this huge lake and the orphanage site is about 2 hours west of here. All photos on this site I took while spending 3 weeks doing over 46 shows across Western Kenya. That's me with he hat by the main sail.
|
|
|
Please watch this site as we add ways to give and share in this project.
Also please consider calling about a comedy night for your event where we can do a fund raiser. Thanks - Norm |
|
Fish drying - Delicious Fish fresh for Lake Victoria,
So far so good - We should have enough to pour cement foundation now. Pictures of progress to follow. I also sent them some funds to plant Banana trees so they will be producing fruit in a year and a half. Also other garden items are being planted now, so when the kids move in in a year there will be a super garden.
Thank you Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, MN
|
Over 400 people came out to the End of Season Event for Upward Soccer Program on October 15th, 2017. All proceeds from the show plus the collection at the back after will go to the Orphanage project.
Thank You Shiloh Temple in Brooklyn Park, MN
We appreciate your Generous contribution to the Orphanage after my program in September 2017.