I’m not comparing a student of mine to an elf because of her size.  I’m comparing her to a Keebler elf because of her attitude and service.  Elves are known to be the nicest and the most helpful, right?  In that case, Holly Kuebler should be compared in this way.

As a middle school teacher, it’s not often that you find a student so eager to serve others.  The short story goes as follows:  I had a bag of donated jewelry which was made in order to raise money for the project in Kenya.  Holly inquired about the purpose because she liked the jewelry, so I made her a proposition!  I explained to her that the fundraising goal for all of the jewelry was $100, and if she would help me get as close to that as possible, she should take her favorite piece.

Holly quickly accepted the proposal, but this post is not about money at all. Nobody is paid from Simiyu House, and all money donated goes toward the project in Kenya–the current project is finishing the well (We need to send an Engineers Without Borders team to do that!).   This post is about a well-rounded student who enjoys serving.  This post is about a young girl who is passionate about the less fortunate–the same passion as me.

Holly, thanks for all your help–but most of all thank you for your attitude and compassion for people who aren’t as fortunate as we are.  Thank you for joining me in my mission and reigniting the passion that always burns within in no matter what’s going on in life.

As 2014 approaches, the guilt is laid heavy on my heart for not putting forth the effort that I could be for the organization I created!  Simiyu House was started because I realized what an advantage this country has over a country like Kenya (among many others).

As a poor college student during my first trip to Kenya, a local Kenyan asked me for money, and I said that I didn’t have any, but that was only somewhat true…

I had $100 in my account, and a week left in Kenya, so I really couldn’t afford to give away any cash at the time; however, it did make me realize that I still had money: I had resources, and he didn’t.  I had a credit card “just in case”.  I had parents who would have wired me more in a true emergency.  The advantage we have in America is resources.

I’d like to start with a group of 100 teachers this year because “we don’t have money”…and i want to Make a Big Difference by Micro-Movements.  Join with me and donate $10 a month for 2014.  The total will be $12,000 by the end of the year, and we (advocates of the underprivileged) will decide together where we’d like to make a difference in alignment with the mission of Simiyu House.

 

I recently spoke to a group of young students who are interested in fundraising for a tractor that can be used to rent in order to supply funds for orphans in Kakamega, Kenya.  The idea is still very much an idea, but we hope to put something together before the winter!

As far as Simiyu House Kenya, the local team is working on a sustainable project themselves and will need to prove that it will be able to be sustained.  Keep on the look out because the plans are sure to be growing rapidly soon.

Eric

Who is Travel House Tours?

Travel House Tours is a Nairobi-based touring company.  It’s small, and very attentive because it’s small.  They are a growing company with strong, intelligent employees–most of whom I’ve met personally!

Travel House Tours sponsored a personalized trip for my wife and I back in July.  This act in itself shows great integrity and character of this company.  What we (Simiyu House) have planned to do from this point forward is to partner with Travel House Tours so that any and all volunteers will also have a personalized trip with the same company!  We were able to stay in hotel with an awesome bed and HOT water (a serious need for Americans after a stay in Kenya)!  I look forward to sending our next volunteers to hear their reactions and feedback about Travel House Tours.

Isaac, the owner, is an intelligent and caring man who likes to do things the right way.  He’s been involved in community projects in the Nairobi area for quite some time and continues to stay active in his community.

Are you interested in volunteering?  Please contact me at house.simiyu@gmail.com

Wondering what the next fundraiser will be?  I’m thinking tractors… more to come.

Our July trip was very productive, but one of the main reasons it was productive was because we took a realistic view of the project as it stood. In five years, we had made a noticeable difference in the community-especially in awareness.  Not only that, but also the fact that we were able to feed, build relationships with, and guide boys who were currently living on the street!

With all that said, we did not make a true impact in the way that we’d hoped.  We did provide a safe environment, but we have failed to be able to provide formal education and overall life skills.  Therefore, we have made a decision to refocus our mission statement to begin with local orphans around the compound versus beginning with the kids on the street.

In the end, the kids we work with must have an equal desire to be back in school, and that lacking quality is what has hindered our mission.  We have no less compassion for these children; however, we think it would be more beneficial to finish our mission with children who are anxious to be a part of it, just as we are.

Essentially, we have a two-tier board on the side of Kenya.  We have a local board who know the children and the needs of the children in the area.  Additionally, we have an overarching leadership board which is diversified in educational background.  Together, we hope to both start and finish the mission that we’ve set out to accomplish.

How can you help?

I think I’d really like to begin with a small, core group of people who are donating time and money for the overall good of others.  We have the fundraiser of 500 people, but what if we just started with groups of ten.  Can you gather a group of ten people you know and get involved?

I’ll be walking Chris and the leadership team through a business plan which we hope to finish by the end of the year.  Our hope and prayer is that the business plan will lead to a successful small business that will sustain our local orphan project in Isongo.

Thanks for reading and staying involved!

Eric