Project Jambo- Dana Reed

I just want to start by saying thank you to my beautiful family for being so supportive of me on this trip. I love you all so much! So, I have been thinking about what to blog about. There have so many truly awesome experiences so far, I just don't know where to start.

So since I was one of the people heading up Project Jambo, I decided to tell you about it. So first of all, I can't begin to thank you for your donations. We had enough people donate to provide care packages for 260 children and 100 widows! Truly amazing! So a few days ago we
went to the local grocery store in Bomet. The people at the store gave us a very good deal on all the items. We had everything delivered to Amy's basement. It took days to sort out everything. We put everything in ziplock bags and packed them in huge duffel bags.

So, we went to the local orphanages and delivered the letters you wrote the packages you purchased. The very first child we handed a package to, was about 2 years old. He was so happy to get his own package. He opened it up and found his very own red tin cup. You would've thought that we gave that child a million dollars. He ran around with it and squealed so loudly. But over and over again, so many children couldn't believe that they had their own blanket, and
their own bag of stuff!

Because of your generous giving, we had more packages than orphans in the area. So we decided to gather needy children in the community. I had no idea what to expect. These children were even needier than the orphans. It was explained to us that these children had never, ever
had anything ever given to them! Some of them were from villages that have never even seen a white person. The poverty is just so extreme, and I don't think you can truly understand unless you see it with your own eyes. We had a mother come up and tell us that she could never had
afforded the gifts that we gave her daughter. We were all so moved during this whole process. A simple $10 goes so far for a child in Kenya. The whole thing is just so overwhelming. The children were so happy.

So we also handed out 100 packages and letters and pictures to some very special ladies. They were all widows, but what surprised me was all the different ages, and how young some of their children are. We gathered in a church, and called up names that were provided by community leaders. These woman were so joyful, and so happy to see us. Some would even sing and dance their way down the isle. The funny thing is, when the posed for their picture, they wouldn't smile, but as soon as I snapped that photo, they would have the most beautiful smile. I found out that it is just how they want to be pictured. So anyways, this whole experience has been overwhelming and awesome at the same time. You know, we gathered up all these packages to hand out to these women and children to bless them. I would have had no idea how blessed I could be from handing out some toiletries and school supplies.

I do have to say, these people have truly touched my heart. Just to be at the orphanage everyday and play simple games with the children has blessed me. To see people who have nothing, (truly nothing!) and be so happy and joyful. It makes me wonder. Just because we have more, does that make us more blessed?

This is a process for the 14 of us. It will take a while to process this whole experience. Thanks for all your giving to Project Jambo! Your gifts have gone a long way! I can not wait to share every detail of this experience with you!

Dana Reed