Christmas 2010 from Nairobi

Greetings from Tom O'Hern and the FHC staff in Nairobi, Kenya.

The two young men in the photo, Stephen Wainaina and James Njenga, are residents of Korogocho slum. Both are also HIV/Aids orphans and recovering substance abusers and they will be the first members of our building construction skills training program, starting in January 15, 2011.  They will no longer have to wade through the heavily polluted Nairobi River to find plastic bags to re-sell in order to support themselves and their siblings.

Meet Gladys, one of our HIV+ mothers. She was infected with the disease by her husband who has since abandoned her and her six children.  She is a member of Family Hope Charity’s savings and support group and soon will get a loan to begin a small business and increase her capacity to support her children.

We need your help. What can you give?

The Christmas green of hope: hope comes from being able to support yourself. For every $500 we raise during the holiday season, we will be able to train a young man from Korogocho slum in basic building construction skills. Once trained, our graduate will be able to support the 7-15 household members who depend on his earning capacity. We want to train 15 young men in this five month program. You contribution will lift 225 people out of abject poverty.

The Christmas red of courage: courage is instilled in a person when they have someone who believes in them and can show them a better way of living. For every $500 we raise during the holiday season we will be able to train and support a substance abuse ‘recovery coach.’ This coach, a local recovering person from Korogocho, will go door to door in search of those languishing in the misery of HIV/Aids and substance abuse. Our recovery coaches will encourage these men and women to join support groups and craft a personal recovery plan. Your donation will give hundreds of men and women in Korogocho a chance to start a new life.

The Christmas gold of love: as Mother Teresa once said, real poverty is being lonely and unloved. The people of Korogocho live in an environment where love is scarcer than money -- and that is saying a lot. When we acknowledge your support in the presence of our clients, their gratitude for your assistance will last for years. They know you care for them and that will reside in their hearts forever.

The Christmas blue of peace: the trainees you support will construct a new health centre in Korogocho which will house the slum’s first maternity unit. Korogocho has a high maternal and infant mortality rate. This new facility will give the gift of peace to pregnant mothers and their unborn and newborn babies through accessible, affordable, quality health care. Family Hope Charity will build a clean, comfortable structure that will serve160,000 people.

Give someone in need the true gifts of Christmas this year - give someone a chance at a new life. Donate through one of our two fiscal sponsors (below). We are pleased to announce that secure online donations are now accepted through one of our fiscal sponsors, Totus Tuus Ministries. Look for the Paypal button on their home page.

All the best,
Tom O'Hern

Donate through one of our two financial sponsors for tax-exempt purposes:

The Staudinger Foundation
c/o Lou Franz, C.M.
P.O. Box 1208
Flagstaff, AZ 86002

OR

Totus Tuus Ministries
17236 St. Gertrude Drive
Covington, LA 70453