This past month, my family and I visited Takaungu, Kenya and got to see first hand the wonderful work of the EAC that we have been supporting for so long. As we toured the center, I could only feel like I was looking at a dream that had come true. I was overcome with emotion, and I wept and thanked my sister, Suzanne Jeneby (EAC founder), for all that she and so many others have created.

The Center is a beautiful place, with lots of activity and joy. It is bright, clean, and orderly and there is always some learning or producing or laughing or singing going on. It is a hopeful place, and the people there—children, mothers, fathers, teachers, and staff— all seem to be so happy to be there, and grateful for the opportunities the Center has provided them. Throughout my time in Takaungu, people came up to me several times every day and thanked me and told me how much they appreciated the work of the EAC.

In writing this article, it is hard to think of just one theme to talk about, there are so many. But one thing that is interwoven throughout everything the EAC has done is “opportunity.” So many people, adults and children alike, are so hungry for an opportunity here—the opportunity to learn, to be healthy, to teach others, to grow more food to eat, and to live a more stable and less vulnerable existence. And when given the opportunity, so many people here do so much with it.

In my conversations with people, I heard countless stories about how their lives have been improved by the EAC. Parents came up to me and told me that there children are learning for the first time. Women have told me about how the income from the EAC sewing program has enabled them to buy more food, send their children to school, and invest in micro- enterprises. These stories further attest to the real results this organization is getting through its multi- sector, grassroot development approach.

If you would like more information about my experience in Takaungu, or would like to become more involved in our work, please don’t hesitate to email me directly at twilson@eastafricancenter.org. Thank you all so much for your support – Theresa Wilson

Diana Katana has been sewing with the Vutakaka sewing club for almost two years now. She found out about the EAC when we were just starting to build the Vutakaka center and she volunteered in the construction by hauling the coral block used for the walls. At the time, she and her family were really struggling, and she was trying to find any work she could. Her dream at the time was to find a foreign family and get a job as a housekeeper. She has four children, including a one year old daughter and another child who lives with her mother in another town. She lives in a mud and stick house in her husband’s family compound, about a forty minute walk to the Vutakaka Center.

After learning about our programs, Diana asked to enroll in the newly forming women’s sewing class. Her father-in-law was very opposed to her doing this, but her husband was moderately supportive, so she was able to attend class. Diana has learned to sew very well, and now has the primary responsibility for making our “Skinny Hip” bags (please email us if you would like to buy one of these beautiful bags).

With the money she has earned from sewing, she has bought her own sewing machine which she uses to make products for the EAC and to sew for profit for others in the community. She mends clothes for about 10-20 cents per item, and would like to start sewing school uniforms once she can afford to buy the fabric. Diana was also able to buy several goats, and building materials to make a stronger house. She is now saving to buy a cow so she can sell the milk.

Diana is so thankful to the EAC for the economic opportunities she now has, and her father-in-law is now one of the EAC’s biggest supporters! She is hopeful for the future, and has so many plans for investing her earnings in capital to bring in more money for her family. Her biggest concerns, now, are for the education of her children. They currently attend the free Vuma Primary School nearby, but the terrible conditions of the school and lack of teachers (only 4 teachers for 6 classes) make it so hard for her children to learn. She hopes that her daughters will wait to marry and will get an education—that life will be easier for them. – Theresa Wilson

Let me warn you, you will be hearing a lot more about this in the future. Okay, so it doesn't look like much of a school right now, but with your help, the plot of land shown here just might be the site of the EAC's new top-notch school in Takaungu. Fortunately, and unfortunately, we have already grown out of our space for a school at Vutakaka Center. This coming year we will be holding our second grade class in the courtyard of our current facility, under a giant tarp. Because of our space constraints, we need to purchase a piece of land, just near the Center, where we can establish a complete (and excellent) learning institution offering kindergarten through high- school education.

By building this school, separate from the Center, we will also free up space at Vutakaka to further grow our other programs, which are being squeezed by the approximately 120 students who will be attending Vutakaka School come January. (We have 90 students currently).

We have recently located 6 acres of land that are being sold for approximately $12,000.00 USD, and are just a stone's throw from our current Center. Please consider being one of the first donors to help make this school a reality. Donations can be sent to EAC PO BOX 95703 Seattle, WA 98145. Be sure to memo - School Land. We would like to purchase this land by January 1st. Thank you! - Suzanne Jeneby

Many of you have asked me throughout the year if you could sponsor a child to go to school. Well, now is your chance. For our 2006 school year, the EAC will be providing partial or full sponsorship for 19 of our 120 students. The total amount in donations we need to keep these students in school is $1061.00 USD. This fund includes a uniform and exercise books for each of our sponsored students, as well as their fee balance.

Please consider sponsoring a student for 2006 at Vutakaka School. You can send your donation toward the scholarship fund to EAC PO BOX 95703 Seattle, WA 98145. Please memo "scholarship fund". Thank you.

The EAC is a remarkable grassroots development organization offering real opportunities for positive change in the lives of hundreds of people, each and every day. In order to keep the organization continually running in good order, we are in need of ongoing volunteer support, both in and out of Kenya.

If you are interested in volunteering in Kenya, visit www.comekuona.org. Come Kuona is a separate organization, based in Kenya, that recruits and guides volunteers through the entire volunteer experience of working with us at Vutakaka Center in Takaungu, Kenya. We always need more volunteers to help us run the Center. If you have any questions about the program, please email volunteer@comekuona.org.

Moreover, if you have a passion for international development, and/or skills in non-profit / NGO management, and can't get to Kenya but would still like to volunteer, please contact Theresa Wilson at twilson@eastafricancenter.org. We would be happy to list you as one of our "on-call" volunteers in the US. (This means we would contact you if we need extra assistance for specific events or special tasks)

Football (soccer in the US) is very popular here in Kenya. There are many football clubs in Takaungu Village. The largest of the clubs is called the "Takaungu Rangers", and is actually comprised of four separate teams - more than 60 players. The teams are divided by age group and they meet every Saturday to practice and/or play matches.

The Takaungu Rangers Club has 1 decent soccer ball. To practice, they use balls made of plastic bags held together with twine. Maybe a few of you could pick up some top quality balls and send them our way? Our address in Kenya is EAC PO BOX 85085-80100 Mombasa, Kenya. We have plenty of pumps and spare needles. Thank you in advance!