Please help me raise £7,500 to benefit the Lewa Children's Home

 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

 

On November 6th, 2011, for the second year in a row, I will be running the New York City Marathon to help raise money for the Lewa Children's Home in Eldoret, Western Kenya. I was first introduced to the Home through training in Kenya with my good friend John Kelai, a professional marathon runner, who himself was supported by the home. This year, when in Kenya again for training, I had the chance to re-visit the home. I was inspired to keep on running for Lewa!

 

Having visited the Home twice now, I can personally attest to the fact that Phyllis Keino - the founder of Lewa Children's Home - and her team, are profoundly changing the lives of hundreds of orphaned, abandoned, and/or disadvantaged children in Eldoret and its surrounding communities.

 

Moreover, I can also confirm that the funds that we raised last year - more than 7,500 GBP that was matched 1:1 by Bread and Water for Africa for a total of 15,000 GBP (!) - have been put to use to build two functioning reservoirs on the adjacent Baraka Farm (that are both full) and that now help feed and support the Home. These reservoirs are key to the on going survival and prosperity of the Farm.

 

[You can see a short video about the reservoir here]

 

In an effort to move toward self-sufficiency, the Home founded Baraka Farm in 1994. Under the guidance of Farm Manager Jos Creemers, this farm has since become a model for development in the region and boasts one of Kenya's most renowned cheese-production facilities. This year, I'm raising money to help fund the expansion of the Farm's Cheese Factory.

 

This absolutely delicious cheese (I enjoyed quite a bit of it) is in tremendous demand throughout Kenya (even from the biggest hotels in Nairobi). But without an expansion in the factory they are unable to supply sufficient volumes. Once finished, this project will more than double the income for the Farm/Home and enable it to be more responsive to the needs of the community in taking in, and supporting local children.

[See what Farm Manager, Joss Kreepmers says about the demand for his cheese  here]

 

The Home currently cares for 84 children, and has just been given permission to act as a foster home as well as a permanent home. In addition, the Home cares for another 199 disadvantaged children in surrounding communities, providing them with school fees, basic necessities and food. Phyllis hopes to expand her "sponsorship" program to include as many more children as the Home's income will allow. The additional income from the Cheese Factory will help to realize Phyllis' goal of never having to turn a child away. 

 

This year, I would like to again raise £7,500 to help with the construction of the Cheese Factory. And again, I can confirm that all proceeds up to £7,500 will be matched by Bread and Water for Africa UK, which means that any contribution you make will be doubled!

 

On behalf of both myself and all of the children's and families benefiting from the important work of the Lewa Children's Home, I thank you for your support, and for your encouragement on race day!

 

All the best,

 

Damian