E3 Kids International

An issue greater than our own

e3kids — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 18:05:53 +0000

by: George Omiro

“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.” Abraham Lincoln.

One thing that has always helped me thrive and mobilize amidst the most difficult situations in my life is staying optimistic, trusting in God, and believing that He cares for everyone. I always give my fears to Him and always find a light at the end of the tunnel. Even with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, I believe that this too shall pass, just like previous global pandemics.

But, what really breaks my heart is the situation back in my home country, Kenya.

In the 10th week of my visit here to the United States, I can wash my hands as many times as I want, and still have enough to drink. Yet, there is someone back at home who doesn’t have enough water to quench his or her thirst — it saddens me.

Meanwhile, the past two weeks in Kenya have been hectic. With cases of the virus increasing worldwide, the government has come up with strict measures (just like any government would do) to save its own citizens – like we are experiencing here in the US. But the level of relief beyond that has been nonexistent – it’s “every man for themselves.”

With panic, fear and paranoia setting in, all markets and grocery stores have been closed. At least here in America, we can still access grocery stores and have a fresh supply of food. A typical Kenyan family doesn’t have a fridge, let alone have electricity. And with the current situation, many families do not have a source of income, as their only support comes from daily manual labour which has been affected with the closure of businesses.

On top of that — no money, markets closed — the price of food has skyrocketed, nearly quadrupling in a matter of weeks. Yes, the situation is devastating. In many ways, the real problem that looms is an unexpected hunger crisis, as thousands of families will barely survive knowing that the little food they have may be their last meal. I understand that the curfew is being enforced by a special unit of army soldiers who are notorious for being ruthless. I would assume that police are also assisting with this.

It’s a triple tragedy: virus, hunger and fear.

My heart goes out to all Kenyan families and children who are hungry. To couple hunger with the Coronavirus – it’s an issue greater than our own.

About the author

George Omiro is a graduate of the Royal Kids School in Kenya, and a beneficiary of e3kids international. He is currently visiting the United States on an internship with e3kids and is interested in pursuing Aerospace Engineering and Library Science — overall creating an impact in the lives of kids and people. He is a second year student at the University of Nairobi, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Commerce.

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Special thanks to our livesavers.

e3kids — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 03:17:16 +0000

Special thanks to the families and individuals who supported our Kenyan communities during COVID-19, a global pandemic that plagued the world with a host of issues including food insecurity, access to medical care, and widespread economic turbulence.

LIFESAVERS (supported with a gift of $120 or more)

In honor of Emily’s students
Ken and Diane Morrison
The Mallorys
The Laws Family
With prayers for Kenya
Wade and Kristen Hvizdak
Carol Albright
Clearwater
Dillyhouse
Chris and Cookie Baker
Brain and Emily King
In Honor of Royal Kids School Teachers
In Honor of Deliverance Church
First Assembly of God Church
Gerald and Pam Lehman
Andrew Felt
Jeffers Family
Lin Libengood
JoEllen Schadek
Magni Power Company
Carolyn Strand
Lisa Batchelder
Linnea Van Blarcum
Shirley Miller
The Turner Family
Nikki Caldwell
Sarah Law

And to the many others who gave generously.

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Tough Times Bring Amazing Results

e3kids — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 06:01:47 +0000

Tough Times Bring Amazing Results

by Debbie Nicholson

The e3kids 2019 Kenya mission team was blessed with having on its team a member that had a vision larger than anyone except her could imagine. Her name is JoEllen Schadek and she had recently experienced the tragic loss of her husband to cancer. JoEllen through her grief felt that she was compelled to do something bigger than herself and her husband. JoEllen had never been to Kenya before and had never been on a mission trip but she felt that this was something she was led to do. She joined the team but while the team focused on lessons and projects that were going to be taught at the school, JoEllen had a different sort of project in mind. This project began with a small shopping spree in the United States a week or two before we left before the trip. On this shopping trip, she purchased basic sewing supplies, material, thread, simple sewing kits, etc. However, this was just the beginning.

Pictured from Left to Right: Grace Ngao (founder of Royal Kids School), Teacher (Sewing Teacher), JoEllen Schadek, Carol Turner (founder of e3 Kids), Teacher Moses (Principal of Royal Kids)

Upon arriving in Kenya, half of the team’s baggage was missing majority of the missing baggage was JoEllen’s. JoEllen at first discouraged and wanting to give up allowed the rest of the team to support her until the remaining baggage arrived. In the meantime, JoEllen spent her time shopping in Kenya for sewing machines, tables, and more importantly a teacher that would teach the children. She then worked with school administrators to have rooms built, electricity run, ceilings added for additional security and other security features.

Future Students of Paul Schadek Sewing Academy

JoEllen’s dream was to create a sewing school that would allow students to learn a trade. In Kenya students that do not pass their academic tests in grades 8 and 11 are not allowed to continue further. Her vision was to change the school from just an academic institution to a technical school as well. JoEllen achieved her vision and the sewing school had its grand opening during the two weeks that she was there; the school was named after her late husband Paul Schadek. Although she struggled with caring for her husband during his cancer treatment and with his death the Paul Schadek Sewing Academy in Mombasa Kenya would not have been possible without going through these tough times.

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e3kids and Cornerstone Life Academy team up to help students in Kenya

e3kids — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 14:30:44 +0000

e3kids bookmarks serve as an ongoing reminder of the importance of reading and promoting literacy worldwide!

By: Lena Berrios | December 8, 2019

Students in Virginia are using this fun lunch time fundraiser to connect with kids in Kenya. They raise support to provide for the basic needs of other kids half way around the globe. For many years, Fredericksburg Christian School has held this event 3-4 times each school year and raised thousands of dollars of support. Each student pays $5 to receive a non-wardrobe school day and a hot dog lunch with chips, an apple, a drink and cookie. Participants also receive a bookmark with a photograph and message from a Kenyan student. All proceeds are donated to e3kids international to raise support for the Royal Kids School in Mombasa, Kenya. When Cornerstone Life Academy in Stafford learned about the needs of Kenyan students, they joined the effort and have had 100% student participation ever since.

“E3kids is an amazing organization that impacts more than just the children and families they serve,” Principal Laura Howell said.

Just $40 can be the difference between a child in Kenya having the opportunity to go to school or not. When American students raise support, every $1 provides 2 hot meals and helps to cover the costs of school supplies, books and uniforms. This support is critical to enable Kenyan kids to enroll and stay in school.

“The students at Cornerstone Life Academy, through Hot Diggity Dog, have learned about the students attending Royal Kids School and the needs of those children who are from another country, yet are in their same age group,” Howell mentioned. “Something as simple as a hotdog lunch has inspired our students to become excited about wanting to help other children.”

School groups and organizations of any size can organize a “Hot Diggity Dog” event to have fun and fellowship while raising support for critical needs. e3kids international can provide full-color bookmarks and tips for making your event a great success.

Kids helping kids instills a heart of service and Hot Diggity Dog events help e3kids international equip, empower and educate impoverished youth from developing nations.

The kids enjoying a hot dog lunch.

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HELP UNLOCK DONATIONS: Royal Kids School Immediate Needs

Carol Turner — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 19:51:58 +0000

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Miracle in action

Carol Turner — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 21:25:00 +0000

by Julie Jacquez

A lady approached our team to tell us of a friend who was bedridden and desperately wanted to be seen by a doctor. This sweet lady waited patiently for six hours at our medical clinic until we were able to break away so she could lead us through rugged terrain in the mountains to reach her sick friend. Our team hiked with a suitcase full of medical supplies with the mindset that we would be able to treat her. We arrived at her small hut made of straw and mud with dirt floors and realized that this twenty-three year old girl was in a dire situation. She would not make it unless she was taken immediately for intensive emergency treatment. The young lady had never left her small village in the mountains and was the sole caregiver for her little baby. She had to be convinced over and over that she was in a life or death situation and if she stayed, she would not be here to take care of her precious baby. Finally, a Guatemalan doctor and social worker persuaded her to allow us to call for an ambulance and an hour later medics arrived.

This situation, as devastating as it is, is so common in Guatemala. As heartbreaking as it was to see the disparity of this all, I was so encouraged by many things that took place. By the time the ambulance arrived there were around 50 people from the community gathered at her home to show their support. The ladies in the village said that they may not have anything to give, but they would do whatever they needed to help her. I was encouraged that we were able to offer her a tangible and physical need in her life that led us to be able to pray over her. This was the first step of building a relationship with this little community so that they are open to the gospel of Christ.

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Medical mission team prepares for Guatemala trip

e3kids — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 06:45:31 +0000

Mimi packs medical supplies for the upcoming trip

by Julie Jacquez

E3 Kids International medical mission team leaves Saturday for Zacapa, Guatemala. Our team is partnering with Hope of Life International to travel into rural mountainous villages that are desperate for medical care. Seven suitcases are filled with medicines and supplies to treat the villagers in need. In addition to the medical clinics, we will also be delivering food bags to the impoverished and those suffering from malnutrition. Our team will spend time in a city dump providing meals to starving families. We believe that providing tangible needs to the suffering will open up the door for our team to share the gospel and the message of hope.

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Empowering local artisans in Mombasa

e3kids — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 08:38:32 +0000

A normal day at Shanzu is spent in class from 8am to 4pm.

Shanzu Transitional Workshop

e3kids strives to empower local artisans around Mombasa, Kenya who invest in women and children’s lives.

Shanzu is a skills training workshop that builds confidence and promotes independence for disabled young women near Mombasa. These women were used by their families to panhandle for income. Through Shanzu, trainees learn to be independent including how to cook, clean, wash, handle money, and budget for their needs.

Along with training for a tailoring certification, the two year program includes business, production, computer skills, record keeping, good farming practices, and HIV/AIDS education. In this way, women who are regarded as a burden to society develop skills and self-esteem such that they can provide for themselves.

Shanzu’s work in giving disabled women self-worth and dignity is truly awe-inspiring. e3kids empowers these young women further by purchasing at fair trade the high quality products they have made. Then, e3kids sells the Shanzu products in the US to earn money to fund students’ education at Royal Kids School in Mikindani, Kenya.

To learn more about Girl Guides projects, email shanzuworkshop@yahoo.com

The workshop is a two year program during which the women gain the skills to pass the trade certification.

Mary has completed the two year program and is a master seamstress, working on the production line for several years and now works for herself in her hometown.

They are paid a small monthly allowance and a share of the profits when their work is sold.

Shanzu builds confidence in women as they find value in themselves and gain skills to be independent in a society that does not embrace people with disabilities.

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Royal Kids School alumna converts to full-time teacher

e3kids — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 13:00:20 +0000

by Ana Johnson

Meet Rachael Wanjiru, a Royal Kids School alumna, who was our very first boarding student. Rachael, born into a Muslim family, attended the school since she was approximately five years old. While in middle school, she made the brave decision to accept the Lord as her savior which caused her to lose all support from her family. In the midst of her struggle, Ngao and Grace Mazira, the founders of Royal Kids School, decided to provide a place for her to live and take care of all her basic needs.

While attending Royal Kids School, Rachael was a passionate writer, reader and singer, and she felt the need to share her love for the Lord with her fellow classmates by preaching the word of God and leading her school Christian Club. Rachel successfully finished her eighth grade year and went onto a well-ranked boarding high school. During her school vacations, she returned to Royal Kids School.

Our Boarding Students in 2016

Even though Rachael wanted to become a doctor to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, the Lord had another plan for her. After finishing high school, she returned to Royal Kids School to work alongside them as a full-time teacher while also attending college courses in the evenings to become an accountant.

Royal Kids School became Rachael’s family and encouraged her to become into a godly, vibrant, dynamic woman and leader who loves to serve others. Thanks to your support, Rachael’s story is one of many more success stories!

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Forging ahead

e3kids — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 12:42:38 +0000

by Emmanuel George Omiro

Life at times can be sweet with all the pleasures of the world but at the same time it can be bitter just like a two-edged sword cutting back and forth without no mercy!

This is the story of my life; born in Kenya in a small town in Kapenguria. All was well until December of 2002 when my Dad, the soul breadwinner of my family lost his job as an accountant. Life was never the same again. Living in a third world country with jobless parents isn’t something that any child would ever dream of! These came with myriads of challenges. With many mouths to feed and family to fend for, I became a victim of circumstance as my academic life was crippled and jeopardized by the fact that my father couldn’t afford to pay for my primary school fees. Many a times I found myself on the move as I kept being sent home now and again for school fees thereby losing many academic hours at home. My primary school education wasn’t a walk in the park. We used to walk for several kilometers with my siblings every Saturday to visit the public library in a bid to compensate for the academic time lost at home. My love for reading books and novels started to develop at that young age of 10 years. What amazed my teachers was the fact that even after all the struggles and the challenges I went through I still emerged to be the best student in my class.

They say lack is when opportunity meets preparation! My parents were contacted by the headteacher of the school and got informed about an organization looking for bright and needy students. Hope at last! Within a span of two weeks, I got enrolled to the Royal Kids School in Mombasa for free! It was such a God given chance that I never saw it coming! My thirst for reading, to learn and desire for excellence came to pass. A big thanks goes to e3kids international because by then, they had funded and donated books to the school library. We were privileged to be the pioneers of enjoying the library services under the tutelage of Mrs. Brenda Storms who had visited the school with a team in 2012. This was just but the tip of the iceberg, upon completion of my primary level education, I got a chance to join one of the best high school in Kenya, Maranda High School. e3kids international came in hand and facilitated my high school education by providing for my academic materials, course books, shopping for my boarding school and all the material needs until the time I graduated high school in 2016. At the moment, I am a first year student pursuing a degree in Bachelor of commerce at The University of Nairobi, courtesy of e3kids international by funding my tuition fee, accommodation and upkeep.

The impact of e3kids international in my life isn’t just for the education nor the help: it goes beyond and deeper than what meets the eye. They made me to realize my full potential, capability the will power and spirit to forge ahead and achieve my goals. I am so grateful that I got a chance to volunteer as a library assistant in the Royal Kids School in 2017 and getting to meet different people from e3kids international who molded my character for the last six years. I also gained leadership skills from my experience in the library work.

Even as I conclude, I must say it has been six years of great experience with e3kids international and many more opportunities to come. Let’s all make the world a better place by helping the less privileged and bright needy students to realize their dreams and get to live a purpose filled life. It all begins with you and me to reach out to the entire world. Let us all make this happen.

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