EARTHWARD
What Remains to be Done?
Turn your vision earthward –
'Tis we must lend a hand.
Samuel P. Putnam
Phase 3: Rehabilitation and return of Okello* family to self-sufficiency.
We are pleased to have been able to put our donors' generosity to good use, by providing urgently needed relief to the Okello* family. We hope to continue doing so for as long as necessary, but no longer. There are countless more victims of religious violence than we can ever hope to help. Peter*, himself, has expressed a desire to volunteer his time to help others, in similar circumstances, in his region.
Our ultimate goal, in this project, is to help this family find its way back to health and self-sufficiency. Then we can refocus our resources on an equally worthy cause.
To that end, we have begun Phase 3 of our plan. Peter*
and his family have decided that Kisumu would be the best place for
them to relocate, as they have been given a piece of land by a local
elder who heard their story; and his wife, Elizabeth*, is in the
process of receiving a Kenyan National Identification Card, so that
they can live there legally. Peter* has provided a list of needed
materials, to build a humble home there, along with a sketch of the
floor plan. Here is an enhanced version of that floor plan:
In an effort to move the Okellos* into a safer environment as
quickly as possible, we have divided the construction into two stages,
one for each wing of the house. Stage 1 of the construction will
be
funded by donations through EARTHWARD, and will include a kitchen, a
store room, a bathroom / shower, and two bedrooms which will double as
computer room and living room, until Stage 2 is complete. The
cost of the first stage is estimated at about US$4300, though we
will continue to look for ways to reduce costs, in order to maximize
the benefit derived from our donors' generosity, and to allow the
family to move as quickly as possible.
Stage 2 construction will be funded by the Okellos*,
themselves (estimated at around US$2250), once they are able to reach
self-sufficiency, and will include a living room, an additional
bedroom, and a computer room. For more details, please see the complete estimate.
On May 5, 2006, EARTHWARD sent the first Phase 3 funds, in the
amount of US$193, to the Okellos". It will be used to construct a
fence to seperate the Okellos'* property from that of the nearby
elementary
school. To deliver this family from a life of abject poverty and
hunger, will require raising at least
US$4000 more, plus around US$200 per month
until they are able to move and secure an income from their computer
services.
A new home with bare concrete floors and flat iron plates for doors and windows, may not be your idea of comfort. But after reading of the Okellos' current living conditions, you can easily understand why, for them, such a new home is a dream. Relocation to their new home will provide them safety, security, and the means to earn their own livelihood. Right now, though, their new home is in your hands, and in your pockets. Any amount you wish to contribute will be greatly appreciated. For the duration of this plan, the Okellos* will have priority for any donations you make to our Africa Fund. If donations exceed the amount needed by this family, second priority will be for other families and individuals, in Africa, facing similar circumstances. To make a secure online donation, please select your preferred currency, and click the "Africa Fund" button, below.
You may also choose to donate to our General Fund, which we may use for whatever project we deem most urgent, or for general operational expenses, such as domain name registration, etc. To do so, please select your preferred currency, enter the amount of your donation, and click the button below.