Brighter times are truly happening. With all the negative “stuff” going on in our country and globally, it would be easy to become consumed. I choose to think of hope and gratitude.
Four years have gone by quickly. When I first became involved with Mwanzo, I was attending church services regularly, and attended the informal gatherings held after Loyce Ong’udi returned from her time in Rabuor, Kenya. Inspired by what I learned, I have made gifts to Mwanzo throughout the years.
I never thought I’d become so passionately involved. As a successful businessman I’ve been involved with numerous nonprofits. But nothing like Mwanzo! I could see through my involvement that my gifts were making a difference! I was helping to change lives. I was helping children with their education, providing meals, nurturing bodies and minds, and helping to build their self-esteem, as well as offering hope in their lives. As I became more involved, I was invited to join the Mwanzo board and later became board chair.
My heart is full of love and joy! Mwanzo is making a positive impact in many ways: the women’s catering and poultry enterprise, savings and loan services, peer-to-peer training programs, and the environmental group working to mitigate the effects of climate change.
With the generous participation from many of you and our Mwanzo partners in Rabuor, we’re in the process of building a community center with a clinic, library, and internet café. Wow! We’ve built a school serving 285 students and providing jobs for 23 people from the community, purchased a bus, installed cisterns, solar panels, and access to the internet to name a few of the accomplishments. There truly is hope and we’re making a difference!
If you feel moved and would like to become a part of our Mwanzo family, please visit our website at: mwanzo.org or contact me .I’m always available to discuss Mwanzo and the many ways you can help.
Once again, I see hope and gratitude—not gloom and doom! – contributed by George Vestal, Mwanzo board chair