Newsletter October 2024
News from Kisumu
– Travelogue Evelien and Fem
– Project Care: Rashid
– Project Sport: Urusi
– Project Therapy: Holidays
– Project Help to individuals: Jackline
Activities
– Our web shop is ready for the holidays
– Generous Wilbertoord
– Sidewalk sales Zeeland
Agenda
– Board member Nynke goes to Kenya
– Autumn market in It Harspit (Top&Twel)
– Foreign exchange Fair Utrecht
– Eigen Herd
– Christmas market Langenboom
– Sales table Heerbeeck
News from the board
– Sponsors: Thank you!
– Board member Nynke goes to Kenya
New from Kisumu
On Friday 5 July, I (Evelien) was still handing out reports to my first year class at Heerbeeck College in the morning and in the afternoon I flew to Kenya with my 14-year-old daughter Fem. It was the first time for Fem that she was going to make such a long flight and also the first time that she would go to a country like Kenya. I have been working for the foundation all my life and every time I went Fem had a hard time with it, she missed me and wanted to go along. In the meantime she also wanted to come along to see what I do there. Of course, I have been passionately talking about our projects and Kenya at home all these years and yet Fem didn’t know what to expect. Of course we did some fun things in those two weeks that we were there, such as a safari in Nakuru, a hike in the mountains near Kit Mikayi, a boat safari on Lake Victoria and we ended with an afternoon in a luxury beach bar, but we mainly went to work for Amara.
Fem has been to the children’s home and schools, she has listened to the harrowing stories of the home situation of some children and the stories about the political unrest. In the children’s home we had a tour, we saw the digital board, which is a tablet that is placed at the edge of a chalkboard and sister Dorothy told in detail who all the sponsors are and what a huge impact Amara has for all the children there. Fem also went on a home visit to Moses and his family. Moses is a child from our therapy project and his parents have received a loan from us for their own business in the context of ‘help to individuals’. It is a nice and loving family that lives in a very small village. Fem immediately got baby Gabrielle (see photo above) pressed into her hands.
We were also in the hospital, where we spoke with Samoo, our head therapist. In Sondu we went to a school for the disabled, where we met Levis, our new therapist, for the first time. We also visited Molly’s school cafeteria and hair salon. At the school, Fem was questioned by a large group of peers who all felt her straight hair and fair skin.
We went to a slum with football club Urusi where we also met the family of our contact Ayub. He had just moved and now has a stone house with running water. I saw how luxurious this house is and how Ayub has progressed over the years. In Fem’s eyes, it was an extremely small house (just a little bigger than her bedroom), where they live with a whole family.
We also went to the slum with sitting volleyball club the Shakers and Fem and I were surprised with gifts from the people with their own business who had received material support from Amara. The shoemaker gave us both a pair of slippers and the seamstress gave Fem a dress and I got a bag. Observing these companies is special, because they can make beautiful products with minimal space and materials and have a right to exist as a company. We were also allowed to train with the volleyball club. There is always a very positive atmosphere with this group of disabled people.
Evelien receives a homemade bag from the seamstress and a sitting volleyball practice from the Shakers
In the evenings, Fem used the Wi-Fi and had wonderful contact with her friends from home. I was mainly working in the evening: contact with the board members in the Netherlands and typing up reports. Fem finds it hard to put into words what she thought of it all. Everything was so different that it took a while before she could give it a place. If I go again, Fem will at least have a complete idea of where I’m going. She has also realized that
- a fifteen-minute bike ride to school is not so bad at all, even when it rains, if you compare that to a child of about 8 years old who we saw walking to school at 6.30 in the morning on her own in a nice uniform;
- her bedroom is really not that small, if you compare it to the houses in the slums;
- I work hard there. Both during the day and in the evening, so that it is indeed not a holiday.
Fem is grateful that we took this trip and she especially enjoyed the moments with other children, both the little ones and peers. For a short report per project, check out Facebook or Instagram.
PROJECT CARE
You have already been able to read a message from Rashid on social media. He is one of the children that Amara has taken over from the former Klaartje Derks foundation. Rashid recently completed his internship as an airport employee and wants to do a second internship in Nairobi to increase his chances of finding a job
I am Rashid Yekin John Paul. I have been in the support of the Foundation since 2016. It is an honor to have you as my Sponsors, your investment in me will not be a waste of resources.
Your willingness to invest in my education has made a significant to pivotal impact on my life. Without your help, I may never have been able to complete my studies up to this level. Indeed your support has been of an inspiration to me. Your support has been of an exposure to the world of knowledge and a boost of confidence to pursue my career in the field and I hope it will turn out to be a success in my life.
I want to thank you again for your support in term of Education, Financial support in general and in making my life and career possible. I am so grateful for everything.
Yours Rashid Yekin
PROJECT SPORT
In addition to sponsoring football club Urusi with money for the league matches, tournaments, transport, food and drinks on the day of the match, field maintenance and compensation for the trainers, we almost always bring clothing, balls and boots. However, the last few times we didn’t have enough plus size football boots, so a number of guys had to play barefoot again during a tournament in August. We could not accept that. The money we donate is also for materials they need. Urusi has therefore now bought 12 pairs of football boots in plus sizes. Despite the lack of shoes in August, they played a nice football tournament and were able to measure themselves with other clubs in the area
PROJECT THERAPY
The handicapped children have also had holidays. Of course, they don’t go to school during the holidays. They then go to the hospital in Kisumu to continue receiving their therapy. Samoo, our head therapist, sees each child personally during the holiday period and discusses the situation with Levis and the mothers. Unfortunately, there are also children who need extra medication. Levis uses the time to update each child’s file. In September, most children have started well with the third term of school. Some still need to become stronger and will follow later. In three weeks’ time, this period will end and we will enter the long holiday period.
PROJECT HELP TO INDIVIDUALS
Jackline (mama Moses), received a loan for a corn and bean business in 2023. Together with her husband, she buys corn or beans from the farmers in her area. They then store it and sell it in cans from home to the neighbours. This family also has a number of chickens and father is a teacher. In this way, they have multiple sources of income. They want to expand their trade with a mill so that they can grind their corn and sell cornmeal. Farmers will also be able to have their corn ground there. It’s wonderful to see that people have plans for the future and are spreading their turnover.
In the previous newsletter, we reported that Jackline had already paid off more than half of her loan and now we have even better news, as Jackline has repaid her entire loan. Well-done in such a short time!
ACTIVITIES
Our web-shop is ready for the holidays and we are doing our best to replenish our stock of soapstone statues, nativity scenes, angels made of sisal, colourful Maasai stars for the Christmas tree and beautiful Christmas cards in time for the holidays. At the beginning of November, Nynke will take even more with her. All products are made in and around Kisumu by creative people who can support their families with the sale; the proceeds are 100% spent on Amara’s projects. So if you are still looking for an original (Christmas) gift with which you also support a good cause, go to our web shop!
Generous Wilbertoord
At the beginning of September this event took place. Board members Esther and Carmen had a van full of flea market items on display at the car boot sale and daughter Kenza and her friend Nikki sold homemade bracelets and fidgets. It was a lovely sunny day with a nice yield for Amara.
Sidewalk sale Zeeland
On 29 September, Zeeland was all about Trade and Walking. Throughout the village, many people visited about 100 addresses on foot, by bike or by car. Among them is the garage of Carmen’s parents-in-law. Proceeds from the sale went to Amara Foundation. Thank you, Herman and Ria!
AGENDA
– 18 October – 2 November: Nynke goes to Kenya
In mid-October, Nynke and her brother Frans fly to Kisumu to visit Amara projects. More information can be found later in the newsletter.
– 3 November: Autumn market in It Harspit (Top&Twel)
For the first time in the history of our foundation, Amara will be represented at a Frisian event: on Sunday, November 3 from 13.30-17.30 Nynke will be selling the beautiful cards, soapstone figurines and other beautiful products at the autumn market in the Frisian town of Oppenhuizen (near Sneek).
– 29 and 30 November: Foreign exchange Fair Utrecht
On Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November 2024, the 9th edition of the Foreign Exchange Fair will take place in the ‘Jaarbeurs’ ( exhibition centre) Utrecht. The Fair is the most important event in the Netherlands in the field of studies, internships, volunteer work, high school years, work and language courses abroad. Evelien and Carmen will bring Amara to the attention and try to attract volunteers.
– 8 december: Eigen Herd
On Sunday 8 December, former board member Maria and her friend Tineke will sell Amara’s beautiful Kenyan products at the Christmas market of Foundation Eigen Herd in Uden.
– 15 December: Christmas market Langenboom
On Sunday 15 December, Carmen will be selling Amara products at the always nice Christmas market in Mill. This year from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Kerkstraat in Mill. In addition to various market stalls, there is also music and entertainment and of course there is also plenty to eat and drink, all in the atmosphere of the upcoming holidays. So come and visit us!
– In December: Sales table Heerbeeck College
Also this school year, Evelien will set up a table in the staff room of the Heerbeeck College. Last year, colleagues were already asking for new products, so board member Nynke will go to Kenya to see if we can expand our range.
News from the board
We are very happy with all the donated items and this time we would like to thank the following sponsors:
Toothbrushes from OrthoGeldrop
Fem and I (Evelien) have braces at the moment, which is a rather strange phenomenon in Kenya. I think we saw one other person with a brace. We regularly had to explain what the use that thing in our mouths was. We were asked if it was a fashion item. After our explanation, a nun asked if we could donate our braces to her when they were taken out, because she also had crooked teeth. Hilarious! From the ortho we go to, we had received a box of 200 toothbrushes with toothpaste. We told the football club about the importance of oral hygiene, how you should brush and how often you should do it. Then, thanks to OrthoGeldrop, we were able to deliver 100 toothbrushes to the football club
Socks from Zumba associations in Mierlo
After Evelien told her that she would go to Kisumu again, her zumba teacher started recruiting in a big way. Evelien was also allowed to come and talk about Amara Foundation at the lessons of her teacher at various sports clubs in Mierlo and in this way we collected half a suitcase of socks! These socks have been very gratefully received in Kisumu. They are distributed among all projects in Kisumu. If you never wear shoes, prefer to walk barefoot and then suddenly you have to wear shoes for an occasion, that’s not nice, but especially not if you don’t have socks. The children of the children’s home gratefully received the socks. If you play sitting volleyball, because you can’t walk (well) and therefore drag your legs along on the ground while playing volleyball, socks are very welcome to protect the skin of your feet. So the sitting volleyball players were also very happy with this sock action! Dance teacher Maricel and all sponsors, thank you very much!
Tablets from Heerbeeck College
We received new tablets from Heerbeeck College. This time we gave away two tablets. One tablet went to Ayub, our contact person from football club Urusi and one tablet went to Samoo, our contact person of the therapy project for their work for Amara. Both were very happy with it and indicated that this will certainly facilitate contact with Amara Foundation.
Nynke is going to Kenya
In mid-October I (Nynke) will go to Kenya again, this time together with my brother Frans. Among other things, we will bring a suitcase full of donated materials to Samoo for therapy, visit the sisters and children of the St. Clare children’s home and visit some children that Amara has taken over from the former Klaartje Derks foundation. We also take donated football equipment, bags and boots with us.
To be able to meet the fortunately high demand for Christmas items and other beautiful gifts, we are bringing back more beautiful (Christmas) cards, soapstone figurines and other colourful Kenyan items for sale. We will keep you informed of our experiences on Facebook and Instagram.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST, ASANTE SANA!
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF KISUMU
Evelien Hommes-Romonesco – Carmen van Bergen – Esther van Rooij – Nynke Bosker-Haagsma – Martine Plantinga
Amara Foundation