Part of living abroad and working in the nonprofit sector is fund raising. From the beginning Kate and I have been hesitant to employ traditional methods to raise money. You know stuff like, mailing fliers, constant pleas for money or we might die, promising blessings and 100 fold returns, guilt, and any kind of manipulation. We have not always succeeded in avoiding attempts at manipulation, but we have tried. Funny thing is when we try to get someone to give, it rarely works.
Instead our main "fund raising" strategy is to simply share the needs, what we are doing, and who we are. There are a number of people who help us frequently, and we are grateful. Some folks give once a year, once a month, or even quarterly. Love it. The children are proof that it is working. (Ironically Kate is at this very moment lecturing the children about attitude because their attitudes often stink.)
Currently we need $500, or $600 would be even better, for paperwork issues. I cannot really get into details here, but it is time to renew and government being government they need money. This being Kenya I was only told about this on Friday. I need to file this paperwork no later than Wednesday.
We also need to feed, clothe, and otherwise care for these children.
It is planting time, and we need seeds and a bit more digging. A chicken coop needs to be built. Plus I got this idea for a rabbit pen that would be great for the rabbits and provide meat for us.
The beginning of the month is coming up, which means salaries. We have two single moms who work for us and a man who helps out on the farm. Great to be employing them, plus day labor pretty much any day we have the money to pay.
Kate's 40th birthday is this week. We want to have a party and invite people over. Food and drink, fuel for the generator, and a cake wanted, not necessarily needed.
I have learned, the hard way, that we cannot make it on our own. Personally, and hopefully you will see some posts on it soon, I believe we are part of the changing face of missions. Part of that change is giving to people and projects with low overhead and demonstrable results. That's us. We are cheap, and I can show you kids that are better off now, than they were. (More children need help, and we are working towards finding sustainable ways to assist more in the future.)
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