Help me, I'm poor.

I do not know where to start.
Yesterday, I walked into Cheti with the intention of it being my last day.
I was sad to leave, but I had made my peace.
The kids have their sponsors taking care of them, they're fine, right?
When I told the director, Zuma, that I was switching schools, he was sad, but said he understood.
Then he told me that every single student was dropped from the sponsorship program.
There was a contractual issue and over 80 kids lost their sponsorship.
WHAT?
How does this even happen?
I look to my left- there's a rock.
Turn to the right- oh look, a hard place!
And there's me, in between.

So what's the first thing I do?
I sponsor one.
Guess which one.
That's right, it was Angel, good guess!

Oh my gosh, look at that smile!



So what's the second thing I do?
I start asking questions.
I start calculating.
I start making plans.
I start crying.

I can't sponsor 80 kids.
So I start planning.
I can start a non-profit group and travel around to concerts and music fests at home to get sponsors for the kids.
It's expensive to start a non-profit, you have to pay for a lawyer, and all kinds of paperwork and stuff.
Okay, so I'll make paintings and sell those to pay for a lawyer. I can make bracelets, save all my tips at work.
80 kids.
I'll get the word out on facebook and twitter and pinterest.
80 kids.
I'll be relentless and pushy.
80 kids.
I'll talk to everyone I know about it.
80 kids.
I'll go to churches and schools and businesses.
80 kids.
I'll get them sponsored.
80 kids.
I'll vomit.
I'll just vomit.

Now that I'm done vomiting, I'm thinking with a clear head.
I'm going to spend part of my week at Cheti, and part at my new school, Nellito.
I'm going to get as many kids sponsored as I can while I'm here.
And when I get home, I'm starting a non-profit to get sponsors for the kids.
Still trying to come up with a name and everything.
I'm thinking Upendo le Watoto. (love the children)
I know that it will not be easy.
But whatever happens, it will work out.
Because I am not alone.
I am so blessed.
I have a very present Help in times of need.
Plus incredible friends and family.
I call out for help, and fifty people run to my side by spreading the word about the kids, offering to sponsor one, giving me moral support, or mailing me Ramen noodles!


So this is the part where I ask you to sponsor a kid.
It would cost either $15 or $30 per month depending on whether the child is in pre-school (up to second grade) or primary school (after second grade)
For $15 a month, you can give Salma a chance in life.

(and maybe she'll give me back my glasses)

 

We see those commercials on TV with the naked, crying kids and the sad song playing and the old man asking you for 35 cents a day.

I am not an old man and these kids are not naked and crying.

But I am asking you to help them.
These kids are happy, joyful, often loud little monsters who, at this point, have no idea that they could be dropped from school soon, because Zuma and I are trying to figure out how to keep that from happening.
These are MY kids.
They have been placed in my path, and I'm responsible for helping them.
Please, help me do that.
Even just by sharing this blog, on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

At this point, I just need to collect money, and start paying the kid's school fees, and once I start the non-profit, I can begin an actual sponsorship program.

But if you do want to sponsor someone, we can start now! I can send you their picture and story, and give you updates on how they are doing.

This project is just a baby right now, but I know that it will be a success, because these kids deserve it.

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for sharing.
The kids say thanks too!
Asante sana!