Friday, December 2, 2016

Bittersweet Day at Mama Jean's Home!


Our Mama Jean's Home had a bittersweet day yesterday. We officially went from 10 boys down to 8 boys.

We had a goodbye party for our twins, Baraka and Favour.

The twins came to Mama Jean's Home in December of 2013 at the age of 4, having been dropped off to a street kids centre by a relative.

Earlier this year, the twins' mother found out where they were and wanted to see her boys. It was a super sweet reunion for them.
They boys even called their mother her name in their tribal language; a language they hadn't spoken in over two years.

Over the past several months, we've worked slowly at building their relationships and for this moment to happen. We did home visits to ensure that their mother lived in a safe environment. We allowed the boys to go on their school breaks to spend at their mother's home. Once we all felt (the boys included) that things were good, we set up the boys to move back home with their mother and their siblings.

Yesterday was that day!!! And to see the boys and their mom so happy with each other and knowing they were being permanently reunited, was such a blessing.

The boys will be sponsored in their home, with their mother to assist her. We will be working with the mother to help start a business to generate more income for her.

Should you wish to sponsor Baraka and Favour, it is $50 per month per boy or $600 per year per boy. The support will cover food, school necessities, and a water filtration system to ensure that the family has clean drinking and cooking water to help eliminate unnecessary water-born illnesses.

Please visit our website (http://www.one5ministries.com/contact-us/) on how to donate toward the support of the boys.

Have questions? Email us at support@one5ministries.com.

Thank you!

Waiting for cake and soda!

Baraka and his mother!

Having their cake and soda

Most of our Mama Jean's boys (one is visiting family)

Favour and Baraka with their mother

Praying over Baraka and Favour

The boys praying over Baraka and Favour

The boys reunited with their family!

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Support our Mama Jean's Home boys....


Christmas and 2017 (where has 2016 gone!) are just around the corner.  It's the hustle and bustle time of year of baking, shopping, wrapping, and decorating. 

For us, it's also the time of year, to prepare the 2017 year of finances and budgets and support for our Mama Jean's Home and the boys who live there. 

Mama Jean's Home is a safe place for boys who've been abandoned on the street or have come from abusive or neglected homes. We currently have eight boys living at Mama Jean's and are contacted on a regular basis to take-in another boy who's come for a horrible situation.

We need your support in order to care and provide the necessities for these boys and any new additional boys that we welcome into the home in the future.

What does it cost to support a boy at Mama Jean's Home?

The full amount of sponsoring a boy is $150 per month.

Here are the different options for sponsoring one of the Mama Jean's boys:

Full Sponsorship:                            $150/month                                       $1,800/year
Partial Sponsorship:                        $100/month                                       $1,200/year
Partial Sponsorship:                        $50/month                                         $600/year

One boy can have a maximum of three sponsors, depending on how each of the sponsors set up their support for each boy.

What does the $150 per month cover for the boys? 

It covers home and staff expenses, food (well-balanced meals), education (fees, supplies, uniforms), medical care (therapy, counselling), and any emergency needs that may arise.

Should you support one of the boys, you will receive a complete profile, picture, and letter from your sponsor boy on a yearly basis. At any time, you can send letters, pictures, and small gifts to your sponsor boy.  You can also send an extra donation around his birthday and/or Christmas and we can purchase a gift for him here from you.

If you would like to do a yearly donation and would like it to apply to your 2016 tax donation receipt, please ensure your check/cheque are delivered to the US or Canadian addresses (depending on where you live), NO LATER THAN December 16th, 2016. This will ensure the time of having the checks/cheques processed.

To read some of the stories on our boys, go to http://www.one5ministries.com/community-based-care/sponsorship/mama-jeans-home/ and click on each of the boys' profiles. 

Should you have any questions, please email us at support@one5ministries.com

Thank you!





Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Martin, Christmas and A New Year Need...



I can't believe that Christmas is just over 5 weeks away!! Where has the year gone?

It certainly has flown by for us here in Kenya.  This year brought on a big but wonderful change for the ministry with the add-on of Mama Jean's Home (MJH).  We are so incredibly thankful for the staff and the children at MJH and all the great changes we have seen and the foundation that has been laid this year.  God has certainly had His hand on this place and it's awesome to be a part of it, leading, loving and discipling these young men, both staff and children.

With the year coming to a close, we would like to open up a way for you to donate and assist Mama Jean's Home's needs in a few different ways.
                                                                                                                                            
Martin's Assessment
We took Martin to a clinic today to get an assessment done on his hands. The clinic is a mobile one that travels around the country on behalf of CURE Children's Hospital in a town called Kijabe, near Nairobi.  The doctor we saw stated that Martin needs to get an assessment done very soon by the plastic surgeon at this hospital. The tendons on Martin's hands will need surgery in the near future so the sooner the better. 



We estimate the total trip to Kijabe will be about $200 US. If you would like to donate toward this need, please see the end of this note for where to send the funds.

Please designate this need specifically on the donation to say:
In US: Kenya: Martin's Medical
In Canada: O5M: Martin's Medical

Anything that we receive above the $200 will go toward his necessary surgery in the future. 

Maize and Beans
Maize (corn) is a staple food in Kenya. The maize is ground up into a flour and cooked to make ugali which is a staple meal and the majority of Kenyans love. Beans (with rice) is another Kenyan favourite.

It is much easier and much cheaper to buy the necessary amounts of bags of maize and beans in bulk for the year rather than buying a few kilograms of it each week.

We would like to buy 15 bags of maize and 3 sacks of beans. This will cover our year of these two items as well as be a bit extra as we bring in more boys into the home.

The total cost for the maize and beans and all that is needed for them (bags, transport, products to keep them clean/safe) is going to be $600 US.


Sacks of maize

Sacks of beans

Business/Financial Management & Meat
We would like to purchase a rabbit hutch and some rabbits as well as a few roosters and chickens. We would like to have the boys learn:  1) how to care for animals, 2) how to be able to use these animals to raise and sell, put the income back into the business and keep it going, and 3) be able to eat meat once or twice a week from the rabbits and the chickens as well as have some eggs to either eat or sell out.

Example of the rabbit hutch

The total cost to start these two projects up will be $200 US.

Christmas with Families
The MJH boys will be spending Christmas with the staff members and their families at their homes. It gives the staff the time to be able to spend the holidays with their spouses, children, parents, etc. It also gives the boys the opportunity to spend time away from MJH and in a typical Kenyan home setting.  We would like to send the boys and the staff off for the holidays and a meal for them to all share together for Christmas Day.

The total cost for this will be $300 US.

So the total amount that we would like to raise in the next few weeks is $1,300 US. 

If you would like to donate toward this end of year event, please click on the links below to donate online.

If we are able to raise more than the total amount, we will put that back into Mama Jean's Home for other needs like new sitting room furniture (couches, chairs, and tables) or a stove for the kitchen (minus Martin's overage as stated above).

To donate in the US (for Mama Jean's Home/Martin ONLY):


Click on the "Donate Online" button in the middle of the page and follow the steps.  Please indicate Kenya:  Mama Jean's Home Christmas in the designation/notes box provided in the steps.

To donate in Canada (for all items)


Click on the yellow "Donate" button on the left hand side and follow the steps. Please indicate O5M: Mama Jean's Home Christmas in the designation/notes box provided in the steps.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at info@one5ministries.com.


Thank you so much for your support! 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

A Glimpse Into Mama Jean's Home: Meet Brian



Brian, who is now 10 years old, lived at Mama Jean's in early 2014; however, in June of that year, he ran away back to the streets. In July of this year, Brian asked if he could come back to Mama Jean's and on August 1st of this year, we had a party to celebrate him back into the home.

It's been a hard road for Brian. He is dealing with hurts and addictions from the streets but we continue to love on him, pray for him, and provide what he needs to make this time easier for him. He has started hugging us back when we hug him and when we give him kisses on the cheeks or forehead, his face just lights up. He is definitely in a place of needing and craving that extra attention and it's not hard to pour that love on him.


 A note from Brian:

I am so grateful for the next chance to live at Mama Jean's. I am glad that I can learn and do some work to help around the home. I get to go to church now; I get to eat regular meals. I am so happy that I can take a shower daily and that I have a bed to sleep in.

Thank you One 5 Ministries and it's friends for your love and support.   

Please keep Brian in your prayers as he continues to heal from the streets. So that we can continue to care for our boys, plus bring in other boys, like Brian, we need your support.

If you would like to donate (whether one-time or monthly), please see below of how to do so in both Canada and the United States.

CANADA
Please visit our website (http://www.one5ministries.com/contact-us/) for the address of where to send a cheque.  Please ensure that the memo of the cheque states: O5M:Mama Jean's.

If you would like to do an online donation, please visit this website (www.reactkenya.com). They are processing the online (and cheque) donations for O5M. You will see a yellow donate button on the left hand side of the home screen.

UNITED STATES
Please visit the website (http://wordsower.org/contact_info) for the address of where to send the check. Please ensure that the memo line of the check states: Kenya: Mama Jean's.

You can also do an online donation through that website. Please ensure to designate the funds to: Kenya: Mama Jean's to ensure that it gets to the home.  

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at info@one5ministries.com.

Tomorrow, we'll introduce another boy. See you then!!

In His Service,
Meredith


Friday, September 25, 2015

A Glimpse Into Mama Jean's Home: Meet Stanley


Note:  Sorry for the two day delay in the blog. We had internet issues one evening and power issues the other. I think we are back to normal now. Thank you for your patience!

Stanley is a leader. He is very good at communicating and doesn't fear honesty. He had a rough beginning in life but to see God transform him and show him grace and such an unconditional and beautiful love has been such an honour to see.

Stanley is the cook at Mama Jean's. He also helps to mentor and disciple the boys. He has a huge heart for Mama Jean's and takes pride in his work. He also makes really good chapatis. If you don't know what those are, you need to come to Kenya and try them. You won't be disappointed. :-)

Stanley is married to his wife Everline and has been blessed with six children: five girls and one boy.


A note from Stanley:

I praise God for this previous opportunity He has provided to us to appreciate One 5 Ministries and all who have been helping to change our lives.

One 5 Ministries has been a source of light to these young boys whom had their lives shattered in so many ways by misfortunes.

I thank God for putting this burden in O5M's hearts and your hearts because since we have been working together, things have changed a lot.  The children have realized what their futures are, how they are loved by Jesus, and they are doing their best in all areas.

The bible studies have also brought us all close to our Friend and Father, Jesus. One 5 Ministries directors have done so much through the Holy Spirit to show us how close Jesus really is to us.

I thank each and every one of you who has stood by One 5 Ministries and supported them and us.  We much appreciate. May the Lord God bless you abundantly.

Please pray for Stanley today. Pray for God to continue to use him in His mighty ways, to be a light in the darkness in the communities and especially in his family.

We need your support; to house, to feed, to educate and to care for these boys as well as pay the salaries for the staff members, like Stanley.  If you would like to donate (whether one-time or monthly) please see below of how to do so in both Canada and the United States.

CANADA
Please visit our website (http://www.one5ministries.com/contact-us/) for the address of where to send a cheque.  Please ensure that the memo of the cheque states: O5M:Mama Jean's.

If you would like to do an online donation, please visit this website (www.reactkenya.com). They are processing the online (and cheque) donations for O5M. You will see a yellow donate button on the left hand side of the home screen.

UNITED STATES
Please visit the website (http://wordsower.org/contact_info) for the address of where to send the check. Please ensure that the memo line of the check states: Kenya: Mama Jean's.

You can also do an online donation through that website. Please ensure to designate the funds to: Kenya: Mama Jean's to ensure that it gets to the home.  

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at info@one5ministries.com.

Tomorrow, we'll introduce another boy. See you then!!

In His Service,
Meredith

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

A Glimpse Into Mama Jean's Home: Meet Baraka



Baraka has been at Mama Jean's home since December of 2013. At the age of four, Baraka was on the street; however, thankfully it wasn't for very long before another organization requested he be moved into Mama Jean's.

Baraka is goofy kid. He enjoys being silly and slightly on the mischievous side.  :) He is more outspoken than his twin brother, Favour.

A note from Baraka:

Praise God. I am Baraka. I have been staying at Mama Jean's home since December of 2013. This home has changed my life completely.

Thank you One 5 Ministries and friends for what you are doing to see that I am safe and okay. I appreciate it with all my heart.

May the Lord God continue to provide and protect all of you. Amen.

We are so thankful that Mama Jean and her love for the boys was here in 2013 so that Baraka, at the age of four, had a place to call home.  So that we can continue to care for our boys, plus bring in other boys, like Baraka, we need your support.

If you would like to donate (whether one-time or monthly), please see below of how to do so in both Canada and the United States.

CANADA
Please visit our website (http://www.one5ministries.com/contact-us/) for the address of where to send a cheque.  Please ensure that the memo of the cheque states: O5M:Mama Jean's.

If you would like to do an online donation, please visit this website (www.reactkenya.com). They are processing the online (and cheque) donations for O5M. You will see a yellow donate button on the left hand side of the home screen.

UNITED STATES
Please visit the website (http://wordsower.org/contact_info) for the address of where to send the check. Please ensure that the memo line of the check states: Kenya: Mama Jean's.

You can also do an online donation through that website. Please ensure to designate the funds to: Kenya: Mama Jean's to ensure that it gets to the home.  

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at info@one5ministries.com.

Tomorrow, we'll introduce another staff member. See you then!!

In His Service,
Meredith


Monday, September 21, 2015

A Glimpse Into Mama Jean's Home: Meet Sammy



Sammy has a heart for being Jesus' hands and feet on this earth. He loves to talk to people about Christ and see them give their hearts to Jesus.

Sammy does the discipleship mentoring of the boys at the home as well as One 5 Ministries' home based care program. Sammy, along with the other staff members, are being discipled by Sean and then Sammy, helps disciple the boys and our widows, grandmothers, and children.

Sammy is married and has four children, two boys and two girls. He is a Sunday School teacher at his church. He loves to run; he is a runner; he runs everywhere. If you have ever dreamed of running with a Kenyan, come and run with Sammy. He'd love it. :)


A note from Sammy:

I want to take this opportunity to appreciate the ministry, One 5 Ministries, that has been helping us. I also thank our mighty God because since we have joined together with O5M and worked as a family, we have seen miraculous things that God has done for us.

We have seen huge changes from the boys because we have been praying and being discipled and are now teaching them the Word of God and that He is our Provider. God hears and answers our prayers.

We pray to you and your families that may your life be abundant of joy, peace, and love.

Please pray for Sammy today. Pray for God to continue to use him in His mighty ways, to be a light in the darkness in the communities.

We need your support; to house, to feed, to educate and to care for these boys as well as pay the salaries for the staff members, like Sammy.  If you would like to donate (whether one-time or monthly) please see below of how to do so in both Canada and the United States.

CANADA
Please visit our website (http://www.one5ministries.com/contact-us/) for the address of where to send a cheque.  Please ensure that the memo of the cheque states: O5M:Mama Jean's.

If you would like to do an online donation, please visit this website (www.reactkenya.com). They are processing the online (and cheque) donations for O5M. You will see a yellow donate button on the left hand side of the home screen.

UNITED STATES
Please visit the website (http://wordsower.org/contact_info) for the address of where to send the check. Please ensure that the memo line of the check states: Kenya: Mama Jean's.

You can also do an online donation through that website. Please ensure to designate the funds to: Kenya: Mama Jean's to ensure that it gets to the home.  

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at info@one5ministries.com.

Tomorrow, we'll introduce another boy. See you then!!

In His Service,
Meredith


Followers

Kenya's Time

Nairobi

 

Copyright © 2008 Designed by SimplyWP | Made free by Scrapbooking Software | Bloggerized by Ipiet Notez | Blog Templates created by Web Hosting Men