To our dear family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues,
Due to your support, encouragement and prayers, we want to share an update with what has been happening since our fundraising event in September 2013.
The Philip Tyrwhitt Memorial evening raised $14,000. due to your generosity and participation! A fun evening was had by all and we were so grateful that the Archbishop of Kenya, Rt Rev. Eliud Wabukala, his wife, Rev. Rhoda, along with Rev. Philip Makhoha were in attendance. Herbie Kuhn, voice of the Toronto Raptors, and Chaplain of the Toronto Argonauts, was our inspirational and motivational M.C. for the evening, and was accompanied by his wife, and son. The Scarborough Golf and Country Club suited every culinary taste to rave reviews from all who attended. During the event, African jewellery, purses, and art were sold and showed the beautiful craftsmanship that the African people can produce. Also at the event was a silent auction and bucket auctions which proved to be a lot of fun, that raised competition to new heights. Approximately 140 people attended, rounding out and making the evening a huge success.
Moving forward into the year 2014, we are thrilled to announce that $52,750.00 has been raised for stage one of the orphanage. We have received pictures from Africa as there are 5 classrooms presently being built to accomodate 140 orphans who now call this property their home. We are told that this school will now be licensed to accomodate 320 children if the need arises. This is not the end of the project. The children now require dormitories and a kitchen. We are hoping that in 2014 to raise $50,000.00 so that they may proceed with the next phase . We (Jennifer, Pat along with a medical team of three) will be travelling back to Nairobi & Bungoma, Kenya in June 2014. We will be so excited to see the classrooms in person and visit with the children. If time permits, we are hoping to spend one on one time with getting to know the children and learning more about them. The medical team will be conducting physical examinations at the site during their visit.
As we have already stated, the African women have produced beautiful product for us to sell here in Canada. The response has been so encouraging. So much so, that we were able to send our ladies $8,000.00 which was raised in the last 6 months. This may sound like a lot of money, however, these funds are supporting 24 women, 15 of whom are widows, and their children. These funds enable their children to attend school, provide uniforms, and for basic needs. We are looking for more opportunities at places of business, homes, churches and events to sell the product. Once people see the beautiful items, and knowing the cause behind it, we know that any event will be blessed by opening it’s doors to this opportunity. We are hoping to purchase secondhand sewing machines for our ladies to produce new product for us to sell.
In March of 2014, 2200 adult books were sent to Bungoma in order that an adult library be set up in St. Crispins Church for the community to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who donated books, a large number of them were invaluable adult reference books. The books were due to arrive in Mombassa on May 28th, and we may have an opportunity to set up this library while we are there. We will keep you posted if we intend to send another shipment of books to Africa.
As we write this blog, we are preparing shortly for our upcoming trip. We are planning to have the second annual Philip Tyrwhitt Memorial event on Thursday, September 25, 2014, so save the date. Please feel free to invite your family and friends.
We want to give our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your support and encouragement as we move forward. You have truly blessed those in Africa more than you can imagine!
The Tyrwhitt Family
