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Slideshows July 2005 Feb 2007 |
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| "Education is the key – to good health, to equality between the sexes, to a prosperous life, to social justice and personal freedom." | |||||||||
A Letter from Lyn and Arthur Dobrin, Fund Coordinators and Former Kenya Peace Corps Volunteers
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| A student looks up from her work |
Kenya has been close to our hearts for over 40 years, since we first lived in Kisii District as Peace Corps Volunteers. We have maintained close ties and in 2000 we returned for what was our twelfth time. As a result of that visit, we took on the responsibility of helping to build and support Sema Academy, an elementary school in the area where we had lived and worked. We hope you will join in that endeavor with us.
Education is the key -- to good health, to equality between the sexes, to a prosperous life, to social justice and personal freedom. But education isn't available to everyone, especially in a country such as Kenya in East Africa, where free education is a false promise.
Under the direction of Dr. Japheth and Hellen Maranga, Sema Academy is becoming a serious institution, providing education for nearly 400 children.
We have known the Marangas for over 30 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher and he chaired the early childhood education department at Moi University until his retirement.
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| Arthur and Lyn Dobrin with Sema Academy students |
We have received grants from the Schulz Charitable Foundation, the Joe Weill Social Action Project of the Ethical Humanist Society of LI and the Returned Peace Corps Association of LI. The remainder of the money was raised from contributions of individuals ranging in amounts from $25 to $1,000.
In a country where the average income is around $300 a year, a little money goes a long way. Here are some examples:
- $25 buys a book for every child in one class
- $71 pays for one month's teacher's salary
- $90 puts a child through grade school for a year
We hope that you will see the Kenya Fund as one of the projects that you support. We are sure that the money we send overseas will make a difference in the lives of many people. And we can assure you that the money goes directly to the Fund. There are no administrative costs and no overhead.
The Kenya Fund is part of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island and is under the supervision of members of the Ethical Society.
Please send your tax-deductible contribution, made out to the Kenya Fund/EHS of LI to: Kenya Fund, Ethical Society, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530.
If you have any questions about the fund and would like to speak with us, we can be reached at home at (516) 997-8545.
Thank you.
-- Arthur & Lyn Dobrin
Your shoes are now living in Nairobi.
A report by Arthur and Lyn Dobrin, 2005
In the Spring, the society collected shoes that our friend Frank Villeda picked up and shipped to Kenya. Frank works for the embassy in Kenya and asked us to do the collection when he saw what a need there was. He generously paid for the shipping.
If you’ve seen the film The Constant Gardener, you can have a good idea of the types of conditions where many of these organizations are working.
Frank tells us where the shoes were distributed:
A large portion went to Little Sisters of the Poor; they have a home for the elderly poor in Nairobi, Kasarani area, and they are catering at the moment, for 65 residents, who are all over 60 years. and mostly sick. We also donated some shoes to the sisters and their staff. The sisters were extremely happy and thankful.
Around 75-125 pairs (mostly children shoes) were sent to the Missionaries of Charity, a children orphanage, which is an organization that looks after over 100 children, from newborns up to 18 years. They are connected with the Little Sisters of the Poor.
The remaining shoes and clothes were donated to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The church is run by Father Ricardo from Mexico, Father Alejandro from Mexico and Father Vicente from Argentina. The church provides a place to escape from (mostly girls) the pressures a young girl faces here in Kenya. They provide guidance, teach vocations and provide whatever charity they can offer to several groups, to include people with AIDS, pregnant teenagers. Currently there is a large construction on site for a school, which was donated the government of Spain. They also perform a lot of charity in the local slums in Nairobi.
The entire process has been a tremendous success; I only wish that I can do more. People, especially children, are in great need. When one looks into their eyes and see the happiness a pair of shoes, a sweater, a shirt brings to them, one only whishes to do more. I am asking some of my colleagues here at the embassy for donations of any kind.
My brothers from New York are sending me clothes and other items, and believe me, we will find someone who needs them. You know there is no shortage of people in need here in Kenya.
My experience has been one of humbleness and sadness for witnessing the desperation this people have. One looks at oneself and gives thanks to the all mighty God for having the life one has.
I only wish I can email you their smiles and happiness everyone had when they received a pair of shoes. I explained to everyone where these donations came from and they all send their thanks to you and those that helped.