The Cow Project

I often ask myself what I can take from my experience (besides a wealth of self-reflection to process), and how to apply it in a significant way? Four months after my trip to Kenya I began doubting if I could keep the promises I made to myself and I questioned the role I played in regards to uplifting the people in the village. Their needs seem far greater than what I can offer alone. It’s very frustrating wanting to help others while at the same time struggling to maintain in my own life. Which is why I’m forever grateful to the people that have been supportive and have contributed in a way that I currently cannot. Defeated and very aware of my limitations I resolved that building and maintaining relationships in the village and sharing the accomplishments of GAD Kenya is all I can do.  Some will say that is good enough, and I agree that something is better than nothing, but I held a greater vision of my involvement. 

Enters Joyce.

We met for the first time this year at a family BBQ in July. We clicked almost immediately and discovered that we have a lot in common. I told her about my journey and was surprised and excited at her enthusiasm. She reignited my spark, she was my confirmation and gentle reminder that the Creator (Universe, God, call it what you will) is always listening and always answers.

The Cow Project.

Immediately after our meeting Joyce learned all that she could from the GADL & GAD Kenya websites and expressed an interest in the cow project. A couple of weeks later, Joyce, her sister Clara, Ken and Bud met at my home to discuss the village’s need for cows and our roles for providing them. Joyce and I committed to the project and will try to raise $3,500 by March 2011.  And to jumpstart the effort, Joyce has offered to match up to $500 in donations! Amazing, right?! 

We are doing everything we can think of to raise this money, garage sales, poker parties, collecting change, and dinner fundraisers to name a few. If you have any ideas please share them or if you would like to donate please do so using this link:

http://chanelisgoing.com/index.html

Any amount is greatly appreciated! Remember, Joyce will match up to $500! Just reference her name with your donation.

Also, take a look at the website in full, view the videos, subscribe to the newsletter, “Like” Gad Kenya and spread the word!

Thank you!

~Chanel~ 

Chanel's 11 GAD KENYA Memorable Moments

My initial thought was to create a TOP TEN list of my most memorable moments but I quickly realized that I could not possibly condense my experience into only 10, 20 or even 30 of the most memorable moments. From the tearful moment of saying goodbye to my son and husband at LAX,  the amazing overnight stay in London, walking through Nairobi's humid airport and being too exhausted to give rise to the brief power outage, to the 3 to 4 hour drive into the village, my journey is packed full of moments that will always stick with me, and that's before we even reached the village! So since I cannot pick any favorites, what follows are 11 photos that I like and the memories attached to them. Enjoy!

 Excuse Us.

An unexpected moment accompanied by an awe inspiring back drop. One of those moments that stick with you.

The Magical Obama Pop! Yes we want!
A photo that always makes me smile.

Sleeping area at the Montagoro School.

While at the Montago school I spied these girls curiously watching us. They stood perfectly still as if they were exotic flowers. Extensions of their beautiful surroundings.

I spent the early part of the morning watching the sun rise and greeting the locals as they travelled up and down this road. Some stopped to say hello and exchange hand shakes, others looked on questionly. I would have loved to sit at this crossing all day.

I'm not sure if this little girl is called Present or Blessinah. She is adorable. I watched from outside as the cooks prepared our breakfast. They invited me inside and I shared a moment with the children while they ate their food. This little one was too adorable. I had to snap a photo of her.

I love Doreen. She is so funny and down to Earth.

One of the most memorable moments was while visiting the land of the Maasai students. We were invited to partake in a tradition of communion by sharing milk. We were not able to participate for the milk was unpasteurized. There was concern of causing offense, but our Nairobi guests drank the milk and I believe an underastanding of why we could not was accepted in the end.O

Wow.... I'm really in Africa!

Just Beautiful.

There is a funny story to accompany this photo but I cannot fully remember the conversation. It was something to the likes of us causing a scene and someone telling them they must want to be a part of it because they stopped. Anyway.... I like this shot.

Thank You!

Thanks for the supplies!

Thanks for sponsoring!

Thanks for your prayers and positive energy!

Thanks for listening!

Thanks for participating!

Thanks for caring!

Thank you everyone for your love and support!!!

"I'm Afraid You've Caught the Gobloots... from the Blu-Shoo Bird"

See, thats what I'm NOT trying to hear upon my arrival back home from Kenya.

Although the practice of injecting weakened germs into my body is repulsive and probably damaging in the long run, the alternative is certainly not better.
Yesterday I visited the travel clinic for a consultation on what vaccinations I will need. Here is the prognosis:

A Yellow Fever shot, which I can pay $130 for, or for $30 less come back and be injected with a group of test monkeys.

A Prescription for Malaria, which I can pay $140 for pills that I take once a day w/o side effects, or I can pay $10 for a prescription BUT will have to continue to take for 28 days after my trip, and will cause yeast infection of which I will need medication for as well.  REALLY?!

Hepatitis A, B

And perhaps some diarrhea medicine to top it all off.

Unfortunately I have failed the invincibility test and cannot "will away" dis-ease, so next week I will join the masses and take my injection like a big girl.

I'm so dramatic.

Scholarship Sponsorship Info

http://www.goanddolikewise.org/student_index.html


On this page you will find a list of candidates that have passed the National Test and who's needs have been accessed by the village leadership and GADL's GAD Kenya Board. We have listed them in order, from those highest at risk to those with only the need for tuition fees to be able to attend. All of these students need assistance, so if you would prefer to make a general scholarship donation please click here. Please scroll down through our list of student hopefuls and request that your donation go directly to a particular student. You can choose to fund a year's tuition all at once or through monthly installments. If your unable to offer a full year's tuition, but wish to contribute to an individual students general fund, you also have that option. 

Locked Up Abroad ~ ( A Random Thought)

You know that show on Nat Geo called Locked Up Abroad? I'm having thoughts of double checking any souvenirs I  get to make sure no EXTRA material is coming back with me. Lol! I know, I know.... I'm just  saying though. I'm not trying to be LOCKED UP abroad.. or anywhere for that matter. Huh? What's that extra stuff in there? No thanks!

Am I Excited?

 

So I'm in one of our weekly meetings not really paying attention to the presentation but instead in my head brainstorming things I can do to get me closer to my dream. In the middle of my legal pad I write something to the effect of, Lending Myself to Helping Others in Africa.  I kid you not, after the meeting my supervisor asked me stay behind. He said to me, "I think you should check out this website". He writes www.goanddolikewise.org on his legal pad and proceeds to tell me about the organization. As he is explaining, I turn to my dream steps page and let him read what I wrote. We shared an amazed stare. What a coincidence, I say. He tells me there are no coincidences. I really didn't think so either but I didn't want to come off too new age-ish. Anyway, to get to my point, it was at that moment I became excited. A door had been opened and I knew I was ready to finally go through it. From that day on, a year ago this month, the wheels were set in motion. I've placed myself in the videos, imagined myself in photos, did everything I could to make it as real for me as possible. It feels like I've experienced the journey already! So no, I'm not excited (right now). I'm actually pretty quiet inside. I feel like I've reached the peak of a mountain and there's nothing left to do but soak in the beauty. 

Meet my new friend Raphael Mogendi

I cannot wait to meet him in a few weeks! If you are interested in sponsoring a student, within a week or so we will have the student sponsor page up and a person will be able to go on line and look at and read a bit about the students and 'choose one' or let GAD Kenya assign. A group of us can join together to do this or how ever one may want. If anyone wants to sponsor now, I'll meet the student you'd sponsor as well. I can take your letters and pictures! The school year ends in December so it is just getting started.

The cost of one year education in high school (secondary) is $360.00.  It is as easy as writing a check or as easy as going to the web page and supporting through acceptiva at $30 a month. 

Think about it and let me know if you're interested.

http://www.gadkenya.org

Thanks!

Village Update 2/1/2010

VIA BUD POTTER:


I spoke with Pastor Kiefa Ontiri of Rionchogu village this morning, they are planning our visit, it will be a very busy time for us.  We will be there Easter weekend and there is considerable focus on their spiritual understandings.  On Friday they have a traditional  Easter church service and this should be a new experience for some of you.  They also meet for worship on Sunday and Monday but as we will travel on Monday we will miss that worship.  If we are successful in our attempt to fund a library then on Saturday we will be helping to build that library.
We will be meeting the students who have arrived home for the break and the women and girls will be gathering for a conversation on the advantages of education for women. Also on our agenda is a visit to a Masai village where two orphaned children are currently being  sponsored in school by GAD Kenya, this will be new for all of us.  We will experience the difference between the Masai village and the Kisii village.
There is a plan too for you to visit a family shamba (home) and we will visit families who have just received the newest calves from the cow project.  This project is working very well and the villagers are seeing how working together is such a benefit. We will also have the opportunity to sit and talk with many of the students who are currently being sponsored in secondary school.
Finally we are trying to fit a Tuesday tourist day in Nairobi.  Your trip will be filled for sure

It's Official!

I am going to Kenya.

Chanel Is Going to GAD Kenya!

Hello Everyone!

It is quite possible that I may be embarking on a fantastic journey to Kenya come this March 28th. About this time last year I was introduced to an organization called Go and Do Kenya (GAD Kenya). It has been my dream for a very very long time to travel to Africa to lend myself to those that need help. I never knew where exactly, how, or when but I knew that it was something that I needed to experience. A longing that has not and will not go away until expressed. It is why I've been practicing Swahili for so long, it is why I've been aligned with the right people and at the right time. To have everything line up so perfectly and to deny the connections would be like denying a blessing. I knew from the moment I was given the name and the website (out of nowhere) it was up to me to let go of all fear and move forward. I'll have to write about it one day because it has been a fabulous journey so far. Hopefully it will continue come this March 28th when we venture to the village of Rionchogu to build a LIBRARY for the students. I say hopefully because as you can imagine this trip is VERY expensive. To help with the cost I have website dedicated to raising the funds that will allow me to go. I feel conflicted to ask anyone for donations in this poor economy but I do so because this is very special to me and it's for a good cause. And if you cannot make a donation, please SPREAD THE WORD. This organization has grown so much in the year that I've been involved that I know it will continue to be successful in helping out those in need. If I don't make it this year, that is okay. I know that I will make it eventually.

So when you have a moment please check out my website:

http://chanelisgoing.com

On this page you will find a photo of me and a personal statement, scroll down some.. then explore the whole website.

http://www.goanddolikewise.org/volunteer_index.html

http://www.gadkenya.org/gadkenya/Welcome.html

The Official Site for Go and Do Likewise (GADL)

http://www.goanddolikewise.org/

Here is a slideshow explaining what GAD KENYA is all about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_9UaRbDOEU

If you have a Facebook account please join our cause:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/GAD-Kenya/135774151294

Or on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/GoandDoLikewise

or Myspace

http://www.myspace.com/gad_kenya

Thanks you guys.... and Happy New Year!!