Accomplishments of June '09

 
Front row:  Liz, Anna, Judy, Shirley, Stephani, Heather, and Rachel
Back row:  David, Pastor John, Jan, Samantha, Miriam, Natalie, and Scott

Photos of the clinic          Clothing handout
 

	Liz, Judy, and Anna helped pack clothing for the children on Sunday before we left on Monday.
	Scott and David erected an awning over the kitchen window so students won't get wet in the rain while waiting for their bowl of maize and beans.
	They also rebuilt a gate to keep the children out of the "storage" area.
	The guys also fixed the swing set.  One more swing was added later.
	They repaired desks too, with a little help from a little friend.
	Scott also did some roofing repairs.  Brave soul.  Brave soul.
	Samantha helped put library books on new classroom shelves built by the May group.  Books were sorted, stamped with "Bright Star Library", and color coded before they were put in the appropriate classrooms.
	Thanks to all of you who donated reading books.  The children loved them!
	This little boy is a refugee from Sudan so he needed everything.
	I noticed little Sarah outside the school gate and asked why she wasn't in school.  She said she had been going to another school but was asked to leave because she couldn't pay the school fees.  Her mother and 4 younger siblings lived next to Bright Star.  I told her to come to school tomorrow and she did.  She was given a couple of dresses, a school uniform, shoes, socks, sweater, jacket, and underwear, and was sent to the 3rd grade classroom.  Susan and I visited her mother and got a true view of a home in the slum.  What an eye-opener.  Susan is paying Sarah's school fees.
	Pastor wore his ethnic costume to church on Sunday.
	Anna taught the boarders to make beaded necklaces.  I've brought them back to sell.  All proceeds will be spent on things for the boarders.  If you'd like to buy a necklace, call me at 457-6785 or e-mail me.
	Tony's mother died in an auto accident and his father is very unstable.  When Tony was treated for worms and a cut on the leg by the May group, he went home after school and got beaten by his father for having gone to school.  Now Tony comes to Bright Star, changes into his uniform, and then changes back to his street clothes before returning home. Pastor is hoping the Area Chief will put Tony in an orphanage outside of Nairobi where the father can't get to him.
	Rachel searched for the right kind of reading glasses for her patient in the clinic.
	Francis, a day laborer for Bright Star, came to the clinic with a toothache and swollen jaws.  Judy discovered he mouth was full of decaying teeth and infection.  She gave him antibiotics and pain meds and Stephani paid for him to have dental work done by a dentist.  Francis is no longer suffering.
	Lindsey's garden is looking great.  Good rich Kenyan soil was brought in, trash was picked up, and seeds from Rural King were planted in May by Lindsey and her grandfather.  John Ochieng and Vincent O2 have volunteered to care for the garden.
	Pastor John, teacher Jamaly, and Samantha pose with new books purchased with donations Samantha received from friends.  Thank you all for the books.
	Christopher Chacha, one of our boarders, just received his passport.  It was needed so he could go to Italy to play soccer - yes, you heard me correctly.  Chacha is in Italy playing soccer at a tournament where many international scouts will be looking for the next Beckham.  Chacha's coaches say he's one of the best.  What an experience for a young orphan from a slum in Africa.  Thanks, Bill, for paying for his airline ticket.
	Leonard's sponsor bought him new sports shoes.  Donations from Taylor Middle School bought shoes for Christopher.  Although their faces don't show it, they are both very happy boys.
	Lots of meds and money to buy medicines were donated by St. Joseph Hospital, Walgreen's, CVS, Don Holt, Dr. Hal King, friends of Laurie Wardrop, Dr. Ron Maus, Taylor Primary School, Chris Wolfe, friends of Liz Shell, friends of Judy Clanin, Shiloh U.M.C., Dr. Robert Dinn, Brent Smelser, Janet Moore, and friends of mine.  We even have money left to pay for medical bills of those who need follow-up treatment.  Many people were treated, thanks to the kind hearts of friends.
	This is some of the amazing embroidery done by Thelma Rittman.  She, Shirley, Cinda, Becky, and others provided many much-needed uniforms for the students.
	Packets of milk were given to the students in Kindergarten through Class 3.  They will get milk once a week for five weeks through a large donation by the congregation of Faith Presbyterian Church.
	Mary Madden - do these shoes look familiar?