Hi,
Well in USA right now. Just had shoulder surgery and trying to get over that.
For things back in Kenya,
I guess the big new is that we will not have our Computer school at Kasule Church site. Preacher from there decided it was not going to work out for them.
Currently we are looking into purchasing property or renting.
We will probably just use Ring Road site after hours for now until we secure a more permanent site. This is short due to typing with one hand.
God bless,Tony
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
In Kenya
Hi from Kenya,
Well I arrived here on May 11, 2011, and now wrapping up two months of on the ground work. (July 8th). I will be leaving next week to return to USA. Thanks to all of those who help send me!
A lot has happened since I arrived. Dino and I have worked to get the Computer/Bible School up and running for Orphans this September. We are still on track to make that happen and ask that you pray for all of this. We also have met with President of CRF, Milton Jones and they have agreed to be the administrator for those 20 students needing support. We are asking that people support the orphans at rate of $30 a month to pay for instruction and cost of school as well as provide one meal each day.
The plan now is to start with 20 orphans that have finished high school and are out trying to find jobs. We hope that the computer training will help them to be good applicants for jobs. Dino has been trained in Computers, and also Darren Wilson from USA came over and help set up computers, so that we have our own router and laptops as well as curriculum, etc.
In Addition we had a group to visit from USA and they spent two weeks here and split time between Nairobi and Kisumu.
What a great blessing. Those coming were Rick and Jana Martin, George and Pam Pendergrass, Harriett and Lezlei Haag, Marilyn and Jessica Trabold, Jack and Marion Nadeau, and Lynn Vanderdasson. They did some great teaching, sharing, and just making themselves available to help children of Kenya. They also help bring the laptop computers over to be used in the school. Thanks to all of those who help send them.
I have traveled by road to Kisumu from Nairobi and that was a long but good trip (6 hours). We got to meet a group representing CRF and also share our plans about Computer/Bible school for orphans. Then we traveled back to Nairobi, where I am now.
Now I am working on finishing works here to go back to USA to help raise funds and support there in USA.
Thanks for those that love the orphans and poor of Kenya. May God bless you richly for all that you do.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Ring Road--Tony's journey
Ring Road--Tony's journey
It is amazing how God works. I had visited Kisumu, Kenya during my stay in Kenya (1996 to 99) but had never visited Ring Road Orphanage or Church. However, that was all about to change.
In 2005, we were looking to move Dennis Okech to a new work and since he is from the Kisumu area, his heart was to reach out to the youth and people of that area. Dennis had learned very good teaching and youth worker skills while working with youth from Eastleigh and then later Mathare 4A. We had started boys, girls, and teens clubs at both of those places or revived them as the case was at Eastleigh. Our goal was to give the youth Jesus through Bible study, sports, and games or activities.
During my stay in Kenya, I worked as a coach, but used my players to reach out to the youth of our community and also city to teach Jesus and Bible lessons as well as basketball. Dennis was one of the first young men I taught basketball to in 1992, in our first ever Christian BB Camp. Later while living there, he played for us. Now he was reaching out to the youth, using singing, sports, and teaching Christian values.
In 2005, Dennis and I visited Kisumu on a survey trip. We visited several churches, but by far, our heart was drawn to one church-- the Ring Road Church and Day School for Orphans. One of the things that so impressed me, was the fact that this day school for orphans was started by local Kenyans. (Jared, Thomas, James, and others)
Jared, the director, tells this story, so I invite you to read that under history of the Ring Road Orphanage. What a beautiful way that God touched his and other young men's heart. I truly believe this is the reason for the success of this day school, as these men have ownership, and personally have invested themselves, as well as allowing God to be in control.
My part has been minimal, but I am thankful to God and Jared and others for allowing me to help partner with them as they reach out to these young people. It is such a blessing to just visit and see these children and see their joy because they are so thankful to have a place they can call their own.
Last summer while visiting ( my first day there), I looked out to see the children playing and laughing at break time, and just begin to cry. We are so spoiled and giving so much, but here these children have so little, yet they are so happy. Happy to be in school and have someone who loves them and cares for them and looks out for them. Thank you Jared and Staff and supporters.
My plans are to be involved as long as God allows.
Dennis and I have partnered with the school and church to provide activities for the youth of Ring Road, but also of the community. We are involved in outreach using sports and activities. He also teaches and is doing a wonderful job. Please read his blog to see what specific things God is doing.
As Dennis mentions in his blog, we would like to provide college type education or place to attend, using computers and other technology in the future. Please pray for all of this and that God opens ways for this to happen.
God bless,
Coach Tony
It is amazing how God works. I had visited Kisumu, Kenya during my stay in Kenya (1996 to 99) but had never visited Ring Road Orphanage or Church. However, that was all about to change.
In 2005, we were looking to move Dennis Okech to a new work and since he is from the Kisumu area, his heart was to reach out to the youth and people of that area. Dennis had learned very good teaching and youth worker skills while working with youth from Eastleigh and then later Mathare 4A. We had started boys, girls, and teens clubs at both of those places or revived them as the case was at Eastleigh. Our goal was to give the youth Jesus through Bible study, sports, and games or activities.
During my stay in Kenya, I worked as a coach, but used my players to reach out to the youth of our community and also city to teach Jesus and Bible lessons as well as basketball. Dennis was one of the first young men I taught basketball to in 1992, in our first ever Christian BB Camp. Later while living there, he played for us. Now he was reaching out to the youth, using singing, sports, and teaching Christian values.
In 2005, Dennis and I visited Kisumu on a survey trip. We visited several churches, but by far, our heart was drawn to one church-- the Ring Road Church and Day School for Orphans. One of the things that so impressed me, was the fact that this day school for orphans was started by local Kenyans. (Jared, Thomas, James, and others)
Jared, the director, tells this story, so I invite you to read that under history of the Ring Road Orphanage. What a beautiful way that God touched his and other young men's heart. I truly believe this is the reason for the success of this day school, as these men have ownership, and personally have invested themselves, as well as allowing God to be in control.
My part has been minimal, but I am thankful to God and Jared and others for allowing me to help partner with them as they reach out to these young people. It is such a blessing to just visit and see these children and see their joy because they are so thankful to have a place they can call their own.
Last summer while visiting ( my first day there), I looked out to see the children playing and laughing at break time, and just begin to cry. We are so spoiled and giving so much, but here these children have so little, yet they are so happy. Happy to be in school and have someone who loves them and cares for them and looks out for them. Thank you Jared and Staff and supporters.
My plans are to be involved as long as God allows.
Dennis and I have partnered with the school and church to provide activities for the youth of Ring Road, but also of the community. We are involved in outreach using sports and activities. He also teaches and is doing a wonderful job. Please read his blog to see what specific things God is doing.
As Dennis mentions in his blog, we would like to provide college type education or place to attend, using computers and other technology in the future. Please pray for all of this and that God opens ways for this to happen.
God bless,
Coach Tony
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Ringroad Update: July 2010
From Ringroad Kisumu,
Receive greetings from this lakeside city that is warm at this hour of the early morning. On such days the sun grows hot by ten a.m and mid-day most folks have peeled off their jackets. We have had a beautiful July after an equally productive June.
June was fantastic when we hosted the greatest National ladies convention yet, we also had Coach Tony visit with us for a whole week. Over 400 hundred ladies from all over the country spent 3days at the Ringroad facility and according to their testimony thereafter, it was the best three-day fellowship since they started several years ago. They had their best fellowship yet, the number that turned-up was unexpected and got some of our organizers worried at first but it all worked better than anticipated. The church men were commended for their catering services, the youth choir was always on standby for entertainment. The roles according to African culture were reversed for 3days with us the men doing all the cooking and serving the ladies.
The second school term or this year is almost over now, we have just finished our end of term examinations and teachers are busy marking or grading. I as the class-master for the grade 8 am praying for these 31 candidates we have registered this year. I hope they perform better than ever before. I have been with them since class 6 and have noticed they have great potential to go better than their predecessors. Last year, I had 28 candidates. Dickens Andanjo emerged the best and joined Alliance National school. Rita, Protus, John, Philip, Eunice Amayo, Eunice Achieng, Ben, Clement, Lilian, Derrick, Winnie and Jacob have all joined top provincial schools. The rest are in district schools. Only one boy, Johannes Akuku is going for vocational training. We hope this year will be better with maybe 2 or 3 entries into the national schools. For any of these orphans to make it even to the provincial school is an achievement since most of them depend on the school for everything from meals to clothing and only go home to sleep. Most have to help with house chores e.g. a good number must take care of younger siblings or take over the food and vegetable stalls in the evening from the guardians. Electricity is a luxury to some so they are forced to do all the academic work at school. The school does its best to make their lives as normal as possible.
At the same time, Dino, the sports and activities master has extra-curricular activities scheduled for these young ones to unearth and exploit their talents and have fun during it all. We have very successful boys and girl scout troupes( both are the reigning national champions); a children’s choir, a drama & singing group, two boys soccer teams, and one girls soccer team among other clubs and societies at school level.
Our youth choir is doing very well, we have grown very strong this year, and our next mission is in Ugunja Church of Christ for the Nyanza churches fellowship. We always meet on Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday afternoons for practice, we are still open for new members, all the youth and the young at heart are welcome to join. This is one of our best years with over 16 fully dedicated members. This group gets to attend the youth meetings too and this also encourages the young people to fellowship and have fun together every weekend. One of our aims for the second part of the year is to compile several of our songs into a CD and sell it to church members to enable us purchase some uniforms. We are equipping this young people with knowledge and skills as we feed their spirits with the word of Christ so that one day they may come back and help another. Thru the children, we reach out to the guardians. e.g. Last month I spoke with Alice Akoth’s mom, she is a single mother trying to raise her children the best way possible; what started as an academic check-up and update ended up as a bible study and a few days later a baptism with the help of Bro George Obonyo.
We have a success story in young Elvis; an orphan, he just graduated from high school with flying colors. He was 35th in the whole province and among the top 100 in the country with straight A’s; he is now helping to teach others at the Oasis of Hope Secondary school as he awaits his university call-up letter. The school has been his parent all this years and still is. Oasis is a partner project that helps absorb the less fortunate and gives a chance at having high school education.
Thank you Coach Tony for your time here, the effects of your teaching; insight, your company, care, support and input have reached wamama, wazee and mostly youth and watoto of Kisumu and Kenya. We always thank God for you.
Our meetings and deliberations in Nairobi and Kisumu were both productive and have a great potential of further empowering and building our young people thus guaranteeing a better future for Kenya . As now we are looking at establishing a college where this young folk may enroll in and learn more life skills and art in order to be more efficient and self-reliant in life. Coach Tony and I met with the Ringroad management team about this college and we all agreed of the great need there is here for such, since over a third of the high school graduates in our country are left to find there own way. Only a quarter can join public universities and colleges and it all depends on your financial capabilities plus the fact that private ones are well beyond the capabilities of the majority.
Ahsanteni sana for your care and support. Mungu awalinde.
Peace and Joy,
Dino.
Receive greetings from this lakeside city that is warm at this hour of the early morning. On such days the sun grows hot by ten a.m and mid-day most folks have peeled off their jackets. We have had a beautiful July after an equally productive June.
June was fantastic when we hosted the greatest National ladies convention yet, we also had Coach Tony visit with us for a whole week. Over 400 hundred ladies from all over the country spent 3days at the Ringroad facility and according to their testimony thereafter, it was the best three-day fellowship since they started several years ago. They had their best fellowship yet, the number that turned-up was unexpected and got some of our organizers worried at first but it all worked better than anticipated. The church men were commended for their catering services, the youth choir was always on standby for entertainment. The roles according to African culture were reversed for 3days with us the men doing all the cooking and serving the ladies.
The second school term or this year is almost over now, we have just finished our end of term examinations and teachers are busy marking or grading. I as the class-master for the grade 8 am praying for these 31 candidates we have registered this year. I hope they perform better than ever before. I have been with them since class 6 and have noticed they have great potential to go better than their predecessors. Last year, I had 28 candidates. Dickens Andanjo emerged the best and joined Alliance National school. Rita, Protus, John, Philip, Eunice Amayo, Eunice Achieng, Ben, Clement, Lilian, Derrick, Winnie and Jacob have all joined top provincial schools. The rest are in district schools. Only one boy, Johannes Akuku is going for vocational training. We hope this year will be better with maybe 2 or 3 entries into the national schools. For any of these orphans to make it even to the provincial school is an achievement since most of them depend on the school for everything from meals to clothing and only go home to sleep. Most have to help with house chores e.g. a good number must take care of younger siblings or take over the food and vegetable stalls in the evening from the guardians. Electricity is a luxury to some so they are forced to do all the academic work at school. The school does its best to make their lives as normal as possible.
At the same time, Dino, the sports and activities master has extra-curricular activities scheduled for these young ones to unearth and exploit their talents and have fun during it all. We have very successful boys and girl scout troupes( both are the reigning national champions); a children’s choir, a drama & singing group, two boys soccer teams, and one girls soccer team among other clubs and societies at school level.
Our youth choir is doing very well, we have grown very strong this year, and our next mission is in Ugunja Church of Christ for the Nyanza churches fellowship. We always meet on Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday afternoons for practice, we are still open for new members, all the youth and the young at heart are welcome to join. This is one of our best years with over 16 fully dedicated members. This group gets to attend the youth meetings too and this also encourages the young people to fellowship and have fun together every weekend. One of our aims for the second part of the year is to compile several of our songs into a CD and sell it to church members to enable us purchase some uniforms. We are equipping this young people with knowledge and skills as we feed their spirits with the word of Christ so that one day they may come back and help another. Thru the children, we reach out to the guardians. e.g. Last month I spoke with Alice Akoth’s mom, she is a single mother trying to raise her children the best way possible; what started as an academic check-up and update ended up as a bible study and a few days later a baptism with the help of Bro George Obonyo.
We have a success story in young Elvis; an orphan, he just graduated from high school with flying colors. He was 35th in the whole province and among the top 100 in the country with straight A’s; he is now helping to teach others at the Oasis of Hope Secondary school as he awaits his university call-up letter. The school has been his parent all this years and still is. Oasis is a partner project that helps absorb the less fortunate and gives a chance at having high school education.
Thank you Coach Tony for your time here, the effects of your teaching; insight, your company, care, support and input have reached wamama, wazee and mostly youth and watoto of Kisumu and Kenya. We always thank God for you.
Our meetings and deliberations in Nairobi and Kisumu were both productive and have a great potential of further empowering and building our young people thus guaranteeing a better future for Kenya . As now we are looking at establishing a college where this young folk may enroll in and learn more life skills and art in order to be more efficient and self-reliant in life. Coach Tony and I met with the Ringroad management team about this college and we all agreed of the great need there is here for such, since over a third of the high school graduates in our country are left to find there own way. Only a quarter can join public universities and colleges and it all depends on your financial capabilities plus the fact that private ones are well beyond the capabilities of the majority.
Ahsanteni sana for your care and support. Mungu awalinde.
Peace and Joy,
Dino.
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