Kuleta Tumaini May 2015

May 2015

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~ March Mission Trip ~ Time flies by so fast! It seems like it was just yesterday that twenty-four of us were loading up the truck and heading out of Nairobi to Taita for our first few days of clinics and now it’s all over and already a part of the past. With two dentists on the trip we were able to provide restorative care, some cosmetic and do extractions, and with the entire team, including medical and optical, were able to provide care to around 1500 people, make new friends, see some incredible wildlife, but most importantly share God’s love with others. It was unbelievable how many supplies for the home and annex this group was able to squeeze into their suitcases – we were truly blessed beyond measure! It’s always fun to have young ones along on the trips, and this one was no exception with 4-year-old Sophia and 5-year-old Miguel. We were constantly entertained. It’s always a blessing when parents bring their children along on the mission trips – they add something unique and special to the team and really are a blessing to all of us.

2015/16 Mission Trip Schedule

July 8-21, 2015 Medical/Dental –

*Narok South/Olorte Division

Oct. 28 – Nov 10, 2015 Medical/Dental – *Kajiado District/Narok North & South

March 9-24, 2016 Medical/Dental –

*Taita /Coastal/Narok South

March/July trips have optional safaris, plus the option to climb Mt Kenya (16,400ft).The Oct/Nov

optional trip takes you to the coast. *The optional trips are not tax-deductible

Go to the “Trip” page on our website for

information and applications

www.globalvillageministries.org

Sunworld Safaris has partnered up with us to help bring about awareness of FGM & early childhood marriage, plus raise the much needed funds for THE OLMALAIKA HOME. Michela from Sunworld Safaris is doing a workshop with the girls to teach them how to make all sorts of crafts that they will sell in their gift shops at Mara Bush Camp and Little Mara Bush Camp with 100% of the sale going to the home. All of the items are made from recycled materials. The angel pictured here is made from a DVD and plastic bottle beads. They are handmade with no specials tools, just a candle and scissors.

~ A Stolen Heart ~

I had the opportunity of joining Global Village Ministries on the Medical/Dental Mission trip to Kenya this March. To say it was the experience of a lifetime is an understatement. I had never been on a mission trip before, so I was very anxious and had no idea what to really expect. I need not have worried. Kenya is a beautiful country, the vastness of its savannas is breathtaking and the wildlife is amazing. However, it was the Kenyan people who stole my heart. They are warm, welcoming, and kind. Also the most patient and grateful people I have ever met. They would walk long distances to come to our clinics, so as a doctor it was sometimes hard for me to come to terms with the fact that there was not much that I could do in certain situations. And even then they were smiling and thanking me for whatever small thing I could do. Most times just listening or giving someone reassurance was enough to make them happy. I know understand that helping others really is more of a blessing to oneself than to the ones you think you are helping. I learned so much from people I met. There is nothing more satisfying than receiving the grateful smile of a Maasai woman after taking her blood pressure for the first time; or watching my 5 year old son playing or holding hands with several children so different from him, yet so alike in many ways. Am already making plans to return to Kenya, and would strongly encourage anyone who is interested, especially physicians and dentists to join in the trips. GVM has a beautiful and amazing ministry and they need us. The trip was extremely well organized and safe. No detail was missed by Kim and her team. The joy an experience like this will bring you has no comparison. My only regret is not having gone sooner! Can’t wait to go back!! ~ Orisel Gonzalez OB/GYN

~Administrative Updates ~

In February our board chair resigned and we invited Andrew Heney to fill the position which he gladly accepted. Andrew has been on several trips with us to Kenya and is passionate about the work we do there. We are really excited about having him as part of the team and are looking forward to his leadership. We also felt it would be beneficial to set up an “advisory team” for THE OLMALAIKA which would comprise of leaders in the Sekenani community. The purpose of the "Advisory Team" is to keep the community informed about the home, to promote it and to encourage support, plus share ideas, thoughts and needs within the community. The team consists of: Chief of Sekenani – Moses Kasoe

Primary School Headmaster - Jonathan Ketuyio

Girls High School Headmistress - Alice

Community Liaison - Daniel Soit

Olmalaika Head Matron -Esther Kamaamia

Olmalaika Administrator - Kamunge Ing’ang’i

Olmalaika Director -Kim DeWitt

In March while we were in Kenya the Advisory Team had our first meeting. Their support and input has really been beneficial to us and the home. And then back here in the US the most recent update is that Global Village Ministries is now a member of the Michigan Association of Non-Profits, which we are really excited about.

THE OLMALAIKA HOMETHE OLMALAIKA HOMETHE OLMALAIKA HOMETHE OLMALAIKA HOME

EST. 2013EST. 2013EST. 2013EST. 2013

Update Update Update Update on on on on the ANNEXthe ANNEXthe ANNEXthe ANNEX

It’s amazing how quickly the annex went up! In March we moved all the office and guestroom furniture from the home to the annex and guests have already been able to sleep there. The kitchen cupboards and kuni heater (water heater) are not in yet; those will be done in November as our contractor is out of the country till the end of October. Building the annex has enabled us to be able to house 16 more girls at the home and just a few weeks ago we grew from 28 girls to 33! We still need close to $2,500 more to finish furnishing the annex and do some landscaping around it, but are thankful that enough has come in that we can already use it. Once this is done then we won’t have any more large projects to do, but have our hands full raising awareness of FGM and early childhood marriage and meeting the needs of our monthly budget.

NOTE: Global Village Ministries is a

registered non profit 501(c)(301). All donations received throughout the year will be recorded and contribution statements will be mailed by Jan. 31, 2016.

Global Village Ministries

37223 Highlite Drive

Sterling Heights, MI 48310 USA Phone ~ 586.838.4998 / 989.413.3364

Email ~ [email protected] Blogs ~ www.globalvillageministries.blogspot.com

From Kim’s heart…..

Running a non–profit organization is no piece of cake! Not that I ever thought it was, but it is a WHOLE different feeling when you are assisting someone else versus when you are the one totally responsible! My hat’s off to Dr. Norbert Schwer and others who have or/are currently running organizations like Global Village Ministries. My days and nights are spent working on endless ideas, possibilities, projects, dreams, trips, budgets, fundraisers, legal paperwork, traveling, and praying that we will reach our goals and can bring about an end to female genital mutilation and early childhood marriage. At times I wonder if I was totally out of my mind when I agreed to be the President of GVM. Saying all that though, I honestly would not change what I do for anything else in the world! I LOVE IT! I am blessed with notes, phone calls, amazing connections, lots of adventure, hugs from the girls at the home (even if the hug is via the internet or a text) and answered prayers. Each of you inspire me and I know without a doubt that I have been blessed with the most awesome opportunity to be a small part of making a difference for young girls around the world, and especially in Kenya. Thank you for all you do! You are each amazing! Kim xoxo

To Live To Learn To Love

www.THEOLMALAIKAHOME.org