"Wow! What a jam-packed week! We met so many people and saw so many projects that we are active in as Nehemiah's Restoration. It was an overwhelming (in the best possible way) experience to see the lives that have been touched over the last ten years of NR's existence. Additionally, I am so grateful God has opened the doors to allow me to be a small part of NR's future! This week we met project coordinators in Siaya, Bondo, and Kisumu, and saw a TINY glimpse of what they do and the people they work with on the ground. It was a humbling week that made it extremely apparent how important the work we are doing is and what a big job I have ahead of me! I am excited to be a part of NR's growth!" 

 

I also had the privilege to take part in a Build A Home project. Thanks to a generous gift from Denver based U.S. Engineering, we were able to fund the building of a home and an outdoor latrine for a family of four. Jane's husband passed away because of HIV/AIDS, and Jane couldn't afford the upkeep of her deteriorating home on top of all her other living expenses. We spent two days with Jane's family and the excitement, pride, and gratitude she felt could not have been more apparent. It was a beautiful day with the community, the recipient family, and NR/NCO staff literally working alongside each other with the common goal of giving this family a better place to live. The next day, we came together as members of the local church, community, Jane's family, and NR/NCO to celebrate the successful building of the home. It was a wonderful celebration of the gift given this family through U.S. Engineering, and the ways they would be able to use it to support the community as well.  These homes not only support the recipient family, but bolster the local economy by hiring local labors to build the wood structure of the home and placement of the tin roof, to dig the pit for the latrine and carpenters to made the wood doors and window enclosures.  Thanks again to U.S. Engineering for making a difference around the globe! 

 

It was something that was made very apparent to me throughout this trip, how the Build A Homes are not just an asset to the family who will be living there, they also become an asset to the whole community as usually the families we work with end up using their homes to host women's and community groups, Bible studies, etc. We visited 5 previous Build A Home recipients and with each home NR helped to build, a challenge was given to the family to make sure they pay the gift forward by being Godly stewards of their gift, and it was so encouraging to see how that actually takes place. 

 

In the picture above, Jaclyn (second from left), a previous Build A Home recipient, stands in front of her home with a few members of her women's group who meet monthly at her house. 

We also got to see the many ways that OVC's and their caregivers are being supported through various income generating activities being done at our centers. Through farming, selling water, tailoring, and table banking groups, caregivers are being equipped financially to support their families for themselves and take care of the children under their care. 

The picture to the right is of a Table Banking group in Kisumu, who through their own efforts have been able to start a catering company. They have bought the basic equipment necessary with their savings in order to cater events, but also rent out their equipment for a profit. The profits from the company are split between the members of the group as well as set aside for the group's savings. We spent a wonderful afternoon learning from the women about how their group works and the ingenious ways that they plan to continue to grow moving forward! 

I feel like Celine (left, in the pink shirt), who was so excited to show off what she has done with the Build A Home she received. I can't wait to continue to show off the amazing things Nehemiah's Restoration are doing and help it continue to grow as we work with the people in Kenya!"