Hi Friends and Family of Ordinary Women, Inc, (OWI)
OWI had another successful trip to Kenya in August, 2010. The four person team was led by our board member, Debbie Valverde, small but mighty. It never ceases to amaze me what can be done in a little over a week on these trips. The trips are usually two weeks in length, but by the time the team gets to Kiminini, Kenya (a 25-27 hour plane flight and then a 10 hour drive by van), there is just a little over a week left to be in Kiminini. Once again, the team accomplished so much!
Debbie, along with nurse Mumbi (who is Kenyan and now lives in California) put a team of doctors and nurses together in Kenya for a medical clinic. They did a one day medical clinic for our orphans, guardians, and their families. This is the first year that none of our orphans had to go to the hospital! With the ongoing support you are providing as sponsors, our orphans are more healthy this year. Only one of our orphans is having problems with her eyes. The doctor thinks it might be allergies as they itch a lot. She will be taken to the hospital for a follow up appointment. A big health problem in Kenya is intestinal worms. Our orphans are receiving de-worming medications every quarter and the medicine for malaria is administered when needed. All of these preventative measures keep our orphans free of these problems. Because of the ongoing support you are providing as sponsors, our orphans are healthier than ever!
Debbie's team also had an Orphan Day, where all the orphans, guardians, and their families came together for a day of fun, crafts, and to celebrate their birthdays. Many of our orphans don't know when their birthdays are, so they had one big birthday party for them all. I spoke to Patrick today, the Director of the Orphan Program in Kenya, and he said, "It was the best birthday party ever"! The orphans put together some presentations for the celebration, and they performed them for the group. Happy birthday was sung, the candles were blown out, and then they cut the cake, sang, and danced in celebration. And they can really dance! It sounds like it was a wonderful time together! Thank you to all the sponsors who donated a little extra for this special day! Our orphans and their families had a great time. Patrick also said the guardians enjoyed the day as much as the orphans did.
As well as the medical clinic and the Orphan Day for our orphans, Debbie's team held a Women's Conference for the day. This was an opportunity for the women in the community to come together and be encouraged by each other. The women get so much out of these women's conferences. So much so, they are asking for more than one day for the women's conference next year.
As I talk with the OWI board in Kenya and with Patrick, the Director of the Orphan Program in Kenya, I am continually reminded of the impact this program is making and the lives that are being changed for the better. And I know it is all because of you, our sponsors and friends who support the work in Kenya. Thank you.
If you are interested in supporting one of the orphans in our Orphan Program for just $35 a month, please go to our website at www.ordinarywomen.org and you can choose your orphan from the profiles. Or you can write to us at:
Ordinary Women, Inc
26861 Trabuco Road, Suite E#146
Mission Viejo, Ca. 92691
Joining Hands for Global Change,
Darla Morfin
Ordinary Women, Inc.
Executive Director- OWI Orphan Program
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