Terry and I are heading back to Kenya in December for three months this time. Here's what we will be up to:
1) The Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club in partnership with Kakamega Rotary Club has been successful, due to the many many hours of paperwork and PR that Terry has put in over the past two years, in securing a grant which will fund the construction of FIFTY protected springs in the Kakamega area. What this means is that the parasite-infested puddles that serve as drinking water for thousands of people will be converted to endlessly flowing fresh water springs. This will have incredible health benefits for about 20,000 people in the community. Yay!
2) In addition to overseeing the water project, I will be coordinating training for women and youth in skills which can be immediately applied to increasing family income and alleviating poverty. The local trainer we will be working with, Alex, is very direct about what is needed to bring people out of poverty. Mainly it is changing attitudes about handouts so people believe in their own capacity to succeed. Also working together in small units to foster accountability and responsibility.
Toonies for Tools is what I am calling this fundraising effort. If you would like to provide tools for a woman or youth to build a brighter future for themselves, their children and their community, please Donate here (http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=10931). Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated so generously through One Drop of Hope and the Canada to Kenya Run! We already have funding secured for the first group and all future donations will enable us to expand our efforts and reach more people.
I am calling it Toonies for Tools to get the message out that every dollar helps. So, whether you are able to donate:
$1,000 ... provides business training for 40 women and 40 youth, or
$150-$300 ... the average fee to learn an income generating trade such as tailoring or carpentry, or
$12 ... what I paid for lunch today, or
$2 ... what a woman earns in a day picking tea or a young man earns as a boda boda driver (bicycle taxi driver).
Your donation makes a significant difference. Thank you for your kind support -- whether it is backed with dollars or with love.
One last thing... if you are thinking about donating, the sooner the better. Even though we are not leaving until December, training is already starting and we'll need to start planning and selection for January sessions. Here's the link to Donate (http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=10931).
Tax receipts are provided through Tembo-Kenya.
I would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have and share stories.
Asante sana, Tanya
onedropofhope@gmail.com
(250) 898-7728
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Going out on a limb
On January 24th, in a seize the day kind of moment, I launched an ambitious initiative to raise money for Kenya -- The Canada to Kenya Challenge. I gathered a team of people together to collectively run the distance from Vancouver to Kenya... that's 15,000 KMs, with a goal of raising $15,000 ($1/km) to provide opportunity through mentorship and entrepreneur training to women and disadvantaged youth in rural Kenya. I signed up for the Edge to Edge Marathon which would mark the final KMs of the challenge.
Six days later, Dad died.
Needless to say, I lost my spark and the challenge was the furthest thing from my mind. But just as life keeps on living all around us, the challenge carried on without me. People kept running and logging their mileage; the challenge had taken on a life of it's own. I did begin running again, for Dad and for Kenya. The group met the challenge and have run all the way to Kenya -- over 15,000KM! This Sunday is the Edge to Edge Marathon in Tofino. I will be running the Half Marathon to mark the finale to the Canada to Kenya Challenge.
We have fallen short of our fundraising goal, however -- who would have guessed that asking for money was harder than running across continents and oceans? I will take the lead on the asking part...
To support our work in Kenya, please make your tax deductible donation here. (http://www.canadahelps.org/
I'd like you to consider if $660 would change your life. I have personally put in 660km for this challenge. And I am asking, if it won't change your financial life, if you would consider pledging $660 ($1 for each of my kilometres). It is a lot to ask, I know.
I can tell you that $660 will definitely change the lives of many, hard working, responsible, deserving young people in Kenya. The opportunity this money can bring will change the course of so many lives for generations to come. I know, I've seen it first hand.
At the Gordon Harmon Memorial run last weekend, Julie Miller told a story about Dad fundraising for the Rotary Seawalk Run. He had signed Prudential Sussex Realty on as a title sponsor. Julie said that he had forgotten about the money part of the sponsorship and had one hour to raise $10,000 to honour the sponsorship. He asked individual realtors to write a cheque, on the spot, for $750. He said it in a way like there wasn't really a choice and it would be a good business move for those who did it. In one hour, he had the $10,000 needed.
Dad also used to tell me that when someone would ask him for change on the street, he would tell them if they want to get ahead,they should be asking for bills, not small change.
So, here is the link for tax deductible donations http://www.canadahelps.org/
I would love to share stories from Kenya if you would like to hear more, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can read our blog from our first trip here http://tntinkenya.blogspot.
Thank you for your kind support -- whether it is backed with dollars or with love.
I just had to ask.
Love, Tanya
Tanya Harmon
2952 Lupton Road
Courtenay, BC V9N 3V3
(250) 334-8045
Donate here http://www.canadahelps.org/
Six days later, Dad died.
Needless to say, I lost my spark and the challenge was the furthest thing from my mind. But just as life keeps on living all around us, the challenge carried on without me. People kept running and logging their mileage; the challenge had taken on a life of it's own. I did begin running again, for Dad and for Kenya. The group met the challenge and have run all the way to Kenya -- over 15,000KM! This Sunday is the Edge to Edge Marathon in Tofino. I will be running the Half Marathon to mark the finale to the Canada to Kenya Challenge.
We have fallen short of our fundraising goal, however -- who would have guessed that asking for money was harder than running across continents and oceans? I will take the lead on the asking part...
To support our work in Kenya, please make your tax deductible donation here. (http://www.canadahelps.org/
I'd like you to consider if $660 would change your life. I have personally put in 660km for this challenge. And I am asking, if it won't change your financial life, if you would consider pledging $660 ($1 for each of my kilometres). It is a lot to ask, I know.
I can tell you that $660 will definitely change the lives of many, hard working, responsible, deserving young people in Kenya. The opportunity this money can bring will change the course of so many lives for generations to come. I know, I've seen it first hand.
At the Gordon Harmon Memorial run last weekend, Julie Miller told a story about Dad fundraising for the Rotary Seawalk Run. He had signed Prudential Sussex Realty on as a title sponsor. Julie said that he had forgotten about the money part of the sponsorship and had one hour to raise $10,000 to honour the sponsorship. He asked individual realtors to write a cheque, on the spot, for $750. He said it in a way like there wasn't really a choice and it would be a good business move for those who did it. In one hour, he had the $10,000 needed.
Dad also used to tell me that when someone would ask him for change on the street, he would tell them if they want to get ahead,they should be asking for bills, not small change.
So, here is the link for tax deductible donations http://www.canadahelps.org/
I would love to share stories from Kenya if you would like to hear more, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can read our blog from our first trip here http://tntinkenya.blogspot.
Thank you for your kind support -- whether it is backed with dollars or with love.
I just had to ask.
Love, Tanya
Tanya Harmon
2952 Lupton Road
Courtenay, BC V9N 3V3
(250) 334-8045
Donate here http://www.canadahelps.org/
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Almost There!
As of May 13, 2011, only one month until the end of the Canada to Kenya Challenge, we have collectively run and recorded 13,656km! Thank you so much to each of you who put your time, energy and sweat into making this possible! I have no doubt that we will reach our goal of running 15,000km by June 12th; when the challenge will end with the Edge to Edge Marathon in Tofino, BC.
We have been working hard, putting one foot in front of the other on the road, trails, treadmill, beach and even in the snow! Now the real work begins... to raise $15,000 ($1/km) for Teaching, Empowering, Mentoring and Building Opportunity for women and youth in Kenya.
Make your tax deductible donation to TEMBO Kenya here. Read on for stories of how small investments can make an enormous difference.
I received this note from Fredrick about two weeks ago:
Hello Tanya, I with my family are all fine. We appreciated for all what you have done for us as now my mother she is not serious the way she was. She is getting treatment and enough food to add her weight so she is now feeling better. True nothing that I can say the way you have helped me since we met up to now. My life is not like before I will never forget you in my life up to the end of my life. I wish you the best in your life otherwise may God bless you abundantly.
Fredrick represents the under educated, under employed youth that populates rural Kenya. They need only an opportunity to prosper. Fredrick and his wife Josephine are good, hardworking young parents to their 3 year old little girl, Brenda. For circumstances outside of their control, they were not able to attend secondary school and when I met them, had no formal training in any marketable skills. They are capable farmers, but with no land. When I met Fredrick he was my boda-boda driver (bicycle taxi) and he said to me, "I will not be able to do this work when I am an old man." He did not ask me then, nor has he since, for money. Only for a chance to learn a skill that could help him earn his own living.
I paid for his fees to attend trade school and purchase a few tools. Fredrick finished high in his class and is now a certified carpenter. He will be able to use this skill to earn a living and eventually build a business for himself, provide a needed service to the community, perhaps employ and mentor other young people, send his daughter to school, care for his family... you get the idea.
The $15,000 we hope to raise through the Canada to Kenya Challenge will fund training for women and youth in skills which can be immediately applied to increasing family income and alleviate poverty. Many Kenyans, like Fredrick and Josephine, living in rural areas have never completed more than a few years of schooling if that, and are limited by their present poverty to subsistence farming and selling a few vegetables in the local market. They are hard working, very responsible individuals, that just need a chance.
You can help to give them that chance with a donation (click here to donate). The money raised through this challenge will directly fund literacy, trade and technical skill building and business training.
Thank you for your kind support!
We have been working hard, putting one foot in front of the other on the road, trails, treadmill, beach and even in the snow! Now the real work begins... to raise $15,000 ($1/km) for Teaching, Empowering, Mentoring and Building Opportunity for women and youth in Kenya.
Make your tax deductible donation to TEMBO Kenya here. Read on for stories of how small investments can make an enormous difference.
I received this note from Fredrick about two weeks ago:
Hello Tanya, I with my family are all fine. We appreciated for all what you have done for us as now my mother she is not serious the way she was. She is getting treatment and enough food to add her weight so she is now feeling better. True nothing that I can say the way you have helped me since we met up to now. My life is not like before I will never forget you in my life up to the end of my life. I wish you the best in your life otherwise may God bless you abundantly.
Fredrick represents the under educated, under employed youth that populates rural Kenya. They need only an opportunity to prosper. Fredrick and his wife Josephine are good, hardworking young parents to their 3 year old little girl, Brenda. For circumstances outside of their control, they were not able to attend secondary school and when I met them, had no formal training in any marketable skills. They are capable farmers, but with no land. When I met Fredrick he was my boda-boda driver (bicycle taxi) and he said to me, "I will not be able to do this work when I am an old man." He did not ask me then, nor has he since, for money. Only for a chance to learn a skill that could help him earn his own living.
I paid for his fees to attend trade school and purchase a few tools. Fredrick finished high in his class and is now a certified carpenter. He will be able to use this skill to earn a living and eventually build a business for himself, provide a needed service to the community, perhaps employ and mentor other young people, send his daughter to school, care for his family... you get the idea.
The $15,000 we hope to raise through the Canada to Kenya Challenge will fund training for women and youth in skills which can be immediately applied to increasing family income and alleviate poverty. Many Kenyans, like Fredrick and Josephine, living in rural areas have never completed more than a few years of schooling if that, and are limited by their present poverty to subsistence farming and selling a few vegetables in the local market. They are hard working, very responsible individuals, that just need a chance.
You can help to give them that chance with a donation (click here to donate). The money raised through this challenge will directly fund literacy, trade and technical skill building and business training.
Thank you for your kind support!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
One month in and over 5,000KM already!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! To everyone who is running their heart out for Kenya! Thanks especially to Norm for stepping in for me as administrator as I've been wrapped up in some pretty important family matters. One thing I learned in Kenya is how quickly the best laid plans can change. And how important it is for the community to step in and help each other. Thank you for being there.
We are doing a great job as Team HOPE in adding up the miles and now, one month in, it is time to get serious about fundraising. Our goal is to collectively run the distance between Vancouver Island and Kenya (approximately 15,000KM) AND raise $1 per KM to support Teaching, Empowering, Mentoring and Programs to Build Opportunity for women and youth in Kenya.
As a little incentive to get the fundraising rolling and to reward you for your efforts, how does a one hour massage sound? Everyone who submits pledges at http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=10931 will be entered into a draw for a one hour massage (in the community where you live, of course). Please share the link with your friends and let's see if we can cover our first months worth of mileage (over 5,000KM combined!). Ask your friends to put your name in the comment line when they make their donation so that you are credited for the pledge. You will have one entry for every pledge received.
Happy trails. The first draw will take place March 15th. More details to follow next week. Terry and I are off to a health ranch for a week, but will continue to log our mileage while we are gone!
We are doing a great job as Team HOPE in adding up the miles and now, one month in, it is time to get serious about fundraising. Our goal is to collectively run the distance between Vancouver Island and Kenya (approximately 15,000KM) AND raise $1 per KM to support Teaching, Empowering, Mentoring and Programs to Build Opportunity for women and youth in Kenya.
As a little incentive to get the fundraising rolling and to reward you for your efforts, how does a one hour massage sound? Everyone who submits pledges at http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=10931 will be entered into a draw for a one hour massage (in the community where you live, of course). Please share the link with your friends and let's see if we can cover our first months worth of mileage (over 5,000KM combined!). Ask your friends to put your name in the comment line when they make their donation so that you are credited for the pledge. You will have one entry for every pledge received.
Happy trails. The first draw will take place March 15th. More details to follow next week. Terry and I are off to a health ranch for a week, but will continue to log our mileage while we are gone!
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