What's New In Nairobi

Greetings from Tom and his crew in Nairobi, with Tom's typical gallows humor: "What's the difference between Nairobi and the Titanic? When the Titanic went down, the lights were on." Life in Naibori is hard, day in, day out, with very little that the rest of us would recognize as genuine relief. Take a look at some photos and updates Tom posted recently on our Facebook page. Which reminds me - are you following us on Facebook? Tom posts regularly and it's a great opportunity for you to keep in touch, get the latest news and also give us your feedback, prayers, words of support, whatever comes to mind. http://www.facebook.com/FamilyHopeCharity
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If you think we have challenges creating jobs here in the United States, try to imagine what it is like in the slums of Kenya. There are no corporations, no Internet start-ups, no employment agencies - people often have to rely upon the work of their hands and a lot of creative, entrepreneurial ideas! Tom is always trying something new, however, and the FHC football club gents and some of our recovery group members have banded together for an income-generating project: making charcoal.
  

Tom writes, "The charcoal is eco-friendly, recycling, among other things, coffee husks, maize husks, saw dust, charcoal dust---combined with clay as a binder. With the high cost of kerosene, wood and charcoal, we hope to find a market in Nairobi's eastern informal settlements." In the photo above you see the set up process, and to the right, the guys get to work preparing the mixture.

Like little boys everywhere, the kids of the slums are fascinated by bustling activity and equipment, so here are our "charcoal making superintendents."

Ever walked on a mountain of garbage? Here, Tom checks out the massive Dandora garbage dump. Yes, it's a never-ending sea of trash, but it holds income-generating potential via recycling projects. Tom writes, "The potential for recycling plastic bags is out of sight!"

Family Hope has recently started meeting with a group of disabled residents of  western Kenya. Mostly visually or hearing impaired, these residents want a chance to work and contribute to their communities, rather than only living on charitable donations. An inspiring and hopeful mission for us all!

Finally - Family Hope Charity doesn't often ask for assistance for specific individuals. The young man in this photo needs your help in order to pay for surgery and chemotherapy. We need the equivalent of $600 American dollars - think about it, if just 30 people contributed $20, he'd be on his way to the promise of a brighter, healthier future. Can you help? Email our US Board members at: davidkunzweiler@yahoo.com or our Kenyan folks at: familyhope@familyhopecharity.org to get a mailing address for your donation. Your contribution is tax deductible, and just as important, it will be life-changing to a person in need.