My Day As Santa

This entire experience was a bit overwhelming. First off, the response from back home was absolutely amazing. I am so proud to have such great support. We raised $2000 to give these kids a special Christmas. Never did I image such a response. Thank-you!

Secondly, I was informed that there were more children than I had originally thought. There are 282 kids. So the response definitely matched the unanticipated demand but became a logistical nightmare (in Kenya you have no idea). Originally I was going to buy a few toys, some sweets and be done with it. But given the magnitude of the task at hand I was faced with a different situation. To divide the money between the kids could have bought them great toys and a wonderful Christmas diner. There is a buzzword amongst us volunteers doing work in developing countries; sustainability. To fill their bellies and send them with a gift is great, but we had an opportunity to do something a little more. I wanted to leave them with something useful. Sawa (ok).

KENWA Nyeri is a drop in center for orphans and HIV/AIDS patients located in the Nyeri slums (strategically placed to attract the people in need). The kids stay in the slums and visit the drop in center to receive meals, school books/uniforms and just general support. It is crucial to encourage them to make use of the center and feel a part of the community. My colleagues and I agreed that a TV and DVD player would be invaluable to the resource center of the drop-in. KENWA agreed. Not only to attract the children in for care, but to use as a learning resource. American movies are probably the best english teacher a Kenyan child can have. They had already purchased a stand but could not afford the TV. So, a spending I went. Never have I had such satisfaction while Christmas shopping. It was great!

Things I purchased: Entertainment center: 21"TV, DVD Player, DVD's (pirated DVDs are widely available in stores and very cheap, so I bought about 40 movies and many cartoon tv shows)

Treats for my visit: lots of candy, chocolate, a juice bottle, cookies, chips, popcorn and sweets. I also bought a small toy for each child to take home.

Stationary for school: Each kid received 2 note books (graph paper for math, and lined for writing), a ball point pen and a pencil.
Lunch: I bought them lunch on the day of my visit, Dec 18thA

Christmas feast: I have paid for 2 goats to be slaughtered Christmas eve (sorry goats), plus veggies, chapatti (African bread, mmmmmmm) and some cookies and cake for desert as well as Cadbury "drinking chocolate" (i think it hot chocolate) and some decorations for the event.

Food for the drop-in: I bought a van load of groceries. We filled about 5 carts at the grocery store. I had 5 of the employees running all over getting us cases upon cases of flour, sugar, powered milk and cooking fat; all the basics that are so essential. Francis (KENWA coordinator) would say "we could use one of these" and I would grab the nearest employee and say "go get us 10!"

Toys for the drop in center: All the kids can share the various toys I bought. Soccer balls, volley balls, a volley ball net, four square balls, educational board games, chess boards, books, art supplies and baby toys.

WOW! And...There is money left over and still rolling in. So.... January is a tough month for them. School is starting, the kids need books, uniforms and in some cases tuition. The hygiene of the kids is also important but usually overlooked. So I will help out where I can with school stuff, and I will buy some sanitary supplies; tampons, pads, soap, toothpaste, etc. We will see what the needs are in the New Year and I will make another trip to Nyeri.

As I was writing this, Francis from KENWA phoned me to thank me and I extend his thanks to you; "god bless you, thank you for doing this special thing for us". I could tell even he was a bit choked up.
As of late I have been a bit cynical about Christmas. Just ask my sister. Malls, shopping, spending too much on gifts that people don't even need, consumerism, commercialism, capitalism yada yada yada. This year Christmas has changed for me. For one day I was Santa Clause, only I had no hat or beard. I was able to bring joy to the faces of a bunch of kids. Making a child feel special can change their life, especially one who is alone and with nothing. Even if just one kid feels different, it is worth it. So, for the first time in a long time I can say it and truly mean it; "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" for you have made someone’s Christmas a happy one including mine.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.