Kirsten's Updates about the H.C.C. in Kenya

Yesterday I sent funds to Bishop Mambo, the HCC Chairman, to provide the HCC residential orphans with a Christmas party and T-shirts. The party will include a high protein meal of chicken pilau, milk, eggs and sweets and it was made possible by a very generous donation from an American woman who lived in Kenya at the time just as Independence from the British was achieved in the early 1960's.

Bishop Mambo and members of the HCC Board will organize and put on the party in the next few days. The residential children need so many things, but hopefully receiving a new T-shirt and the party will let them know they are remembered at Christmas. I asked Bishop Mambo to take pictures and send them to me and I asked him to have the children sing the song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" loud enough for me to hear it from here. It is a song that I taught them back in July. Jim's congregation is also going to donate some money for bedding and other things the kids need, but those donations may come after Christmas. The party is important as the orphans have very little in the way of special treats and Christmas is a difficult time when you are without parents or other family. Health is as much emotional/mental as well as spiritual, and being remembered at during the holiday is important for the children's emotional health.

The sales of the orphans' holiday cards has been very successful and since October I have raised enough money from the cards' sales for the orphans' ongoing medical care for the next five to six months. Dr. Jeremiah continues to provide excellent care and reports on the children. I want to particularly acknowledge the First Unitarian Church of Portland for letting me sell the HCC cards for four Sundays during our "Alternative Gift Market". The congregation enthusiastically admired the HCC orphans' creativity and talent, and purchased many cards. I am very grateful to the many others who bought cards as long ago as July and I hope that the beauty of the children's artwork is admired in many homes this holiday season.

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to HCC or bought cards this past year! You have made a direct difference in the lives of these orphans and you brought them smiles as well as hope!