Sharing the story. . .

I've always had an adventurous spirit, as well as curosity mixed with willingness to take on a challenge especially if the adventure poses "impossible." Little did I know in August of 2006, God would provide the opportunity for one of the greatest adventures of my lifetime. . .a trip to Africa. This ancient part of the world has intriqued me since I was a child. It is a land I have travelled to countless times in my mind, written about in my journals and lost myself within the storytelling from movies like Out of Africa. I spent countless hours thumbing through large photographic books displaying a photographers lush experience with colorful, exotic African tribes so I had my visuals. However, He had other plans. Those Meryl Streep, Robert Redford moments weren't exactly the plans laid out for me! There was work to be done. You will be reading a story of the human condition. . .it is real, not a movie, not a faery tale or some fluff I use to love to escape to. He took me to Africa to open my eyes and to change my heart.

Greg Dabel, International Director with Kids for the Kingdom invited me to one of the board meetings as I expressed an interest in learning more about this small yet amazing ministry. (http://www.kidsforthekingdom.org/). I accepted the invitation. The meeting was most infomative with Greg sharing about an upcoming trip to Kenya. I expressed a love for Africa and thought nothing of it. The meeting ended with Greg pulling me to the side with a question. "Do you want to go to Kenya in September." I smiled and replied, "Well, of course, but I can't afford a trip like that Greg." That moment I will never forget. He smiled back and shared that one of the board members wanted to pay for my trip. All I had to do was say yes. You can imagine how stunned I was. To this day I do not know who gifted me. However, it was the doorway that brought me to Kenya 3 more times from September 2006 - October 2007 with full support. (A huge thank you to that board member, if you are reading this now)! Strange and unsual meetings would lead me to two groups of women and the opportunity to help start their cooperative business that to date has brought in over $15,000 from the work of their hands. It is continuing to come in despite the economic lows. I want to share their story with you in pictures and words. It's full of miracles and let's face it we need alot of miracles today!

I met John Kabochi Maina during my visit to Kenya. John pastors a small but faithful congregation located in a small village of 8,000 people in the Highridge district of Nairobi. By our standards, that village would be considered a slum and possibly worst. To them it is home with small businesses that offer carpentary, sewing, kiosk of snacks and drinks, churches, and even a bar or two. It is small compared to the Kibera Slum with a million plus population (as seen in the movie "The Constant Gardner"). The entrance is framed with a burning garbage pile where from time to time you see the sweetest of children rooting through it for something to play with or perhaps eat. The ground is rocky and somewhat hazardous to walk on. However, you do what you have to do to survive.

The women are often seen carrying 30 to 40 pound water containers on their backs to cook with, clean their families clothes, as well as other usages that require water. No electricity, running water, flush toliets! In fact, you step over open run offs that sewage drains in down to a waterway that runs through the city. The village dwellings are constructed of whatever is available with cardboard sides, some wood and corrogated tin roofs if you are fortunate enough to score it. Need I keep going? I could you know. I share this so you will know where these women come from. They have not given up hope even in such adverse conditions. John, shared his vision that day in September of 2006. It was a vision of hope that a workspace would be provided for these women to come and create in. The work from their hands would be sold and the money would help educate, clothe and feed their loved ones. Well it happened within a year from the help of a generous sponsor from Kids for the Kingdom to assist with the start up cost and the continued support of those buying the baskets. Here are a few photos introducing you to the women and the work of their hands!

The workplace
Nairobi, Kenya

The women busy working as they sing and talk about life.

Joyful Elizabeth weaving happiness into her work

Beautiful Monicah (manager of the Workplace) weaving a basket

Milka and Rhoda show their visitor how they dry the sisal after dying it.

Jane, who faithfully cooks for the children of the village twice a week

and makes baskets.

Nesting Baskets

Purse, market, nestings baskets and fabric

Kikoy fabric

(worn like a sarong or used on the baskets)


Kikoy fabric used in design of basket

Rebecca does not make baskets! however I am gloriously surrounded

by a shipment of astonishing ones to bring to you.

I have over a thousand pictures I could not possibly share in one sitting. . .but then again, if anyone wanted to see them. . I would! They continuously bring me joy and humble my heart. So, with this, my first blog dated October but actually being rewritten and finalized this day February 7, I will introduce you to these special women, their families, the work that they do and share with you how you can help them in so many different ways. My next blog, I will share how the second group came about. Until then, blessings to all of you who take the time to read this and care.

A SPECIAL TREAT: June 2007, Sebastopol Gallery presented Rehoboth's work and welcomed Milka Kabochi to the U.S. for that successful event. The slide show with music will give you an idea of the success of the event, the joy it brought to many and the financial success it brought to the women and their families. Thank you sweet Laura for photographing the event and creating the slide show.

www.fmndesign.com/Rehoboth Slide show/music

http://www.fmndesign.com/ Laura Reoch, Photographer