Please Buy Us Christmas

(Often when we speak of George's family, we are referring to the Okech Family who took him in. But this time, we are referring to his biological family which is his brother and sister. They, too, had a very difficult life when their parents died.)


"Uncle, Uncle, please buy us Christmas."

These were the first words George's four neices and nephews said to him as they greeted him for the first time since we arrived in Kisumu. It broke his heart and mine when he told me about it. It's hard for George to see them struggle like he did as a child. Their family often struggles to get money for food, medicine and school fees. We help out as much as we can, but we can't meet all their needs. We feel helpless being so far away from them. We decided since we were there, we would try to give them the Christmas they were hoping for. For them, when they say "buy us Christmas" it means getting food for Christmas dinner and a new outfit. We agreed to not get gifts for each other and Eli. We have all we need. Instead we would use it for these kids. One day, we picked up all the kids and bought them shoes. One of the boys was wearing shoes so small, his toes hung completely over the edge. We bought them each casual shoes and dress shoes which can be used as school shoes.



(Eli sat down to be measured too!)

Then, we also did grocery shopping so they would have food Christmas day. Later, George went to a second hand market and bought the kids clothes. We hope that this helped make their Christmas day special and gave them something to distract them from the hard days they face.

As we look to the future and see how we can help them, we are committed to making sure they stay in school. In Kenya, the best way to help a child is to pay their school fees. School isn't free and many kids aren't able to go to school because their parents simply can't afford it. They barely have money for food and there isn't anything else left. Without an education, chances for a bright future are dim. The cost for school isn't very much. Here are the fees George's neices and nephews have to pay (which is what the average Kenyan kid would have to pay).

Enrollment Fee 800Ksh
Term Fee 1500ksh (3 terms per year)
2 School Uniforms 1200 ksh
Books, Pencils, Paper and other Supplies - 1000 tsh

Total per year - 7500ksh which is about $100.

$100 per year isn't much to us in the US, but to many Kenyans, it is a fortune. And this is for the cheapest schools. Other schools cost more. And the cost increases once the kids go to High School. We hope we can keep George's neices and nephews in school. It's so important. We would love to find sponsors for the kids. I think World Vision and Compassion charge $30 per month. But for $10 per month, we can make sure they are able to go to school.

If you would like to help us put these four kids in school, we would be so thankful. It would take a huge burden off George's shoulders as he struggles to give them a bright future. As an orphan, he knows what it is like to have to come up with his own school fees. It is a concern no child should have to worry about. If we can get these children food to eat and school fees paid, their quality of life would greatly improve. These are kids who have had to pitch in to survive. The oldest two walking the streets picking up scrap metal to collect and sell. It breaks our hearts that we can't do more to help, but we do what we can and leave the rest in God's hands. After all, He loves them more than we do.

If you would be interested in sponsoring one of the kids in school, you can email me: spacie19@hotmail.com. We can send you photos of them, give you updates on their school progress and let you know how to pray for them.