On the 20th of October in 2004 I arrived for the first time of my life in Kenya, and in Africa. My plane landed in Mombasa and I finally met Mahmud and Suzanne Jeneby. Now, we are still working together, almost a year later. My first contact with Mahmud and Suzanne Jeneby was wonderful, and of course the great work that the EAC is doing in Takaungu is great. I was planning on volunteering in Takaungu for three months. Eventually, those three months became six months. Then, this past June when I was back in Holland, my home country, I was able to start up the NGO EAC-Europe. I’ve met some wonderful people, who are now on the board of EAC- Europe and still fundraising everyday for the organisation and the Vutakaka Center in Takaungu.

When I came back to Takaungu last July, the welcoming in the village was amazing. The teachers, the neighbours, the watchman, the groundkeeper, the children, they were all so enthusiastic. It was a very warm feeling and I knew I made the right decision in coming back. Next to that it was wonderful to see my friends Mahmud and Suzanne again. I really feel like I have a “second home” in Takaungu. I am now ready to help the EAC continue and expand the great work it is doing.

It’s hard to explain what our daily work is, and how much is going on within the organisation. There are constantly new developments in all programs here in Takaungu. We always want to try to get the level best from everything we are doing, so improving the running programs, expanding the Vutakaka Junior School, finding teachers, helping the teachers with the lesson plans and the goals for every term. Next to that we know it is important for people in the USA and in Holland to stay well informed on the work that is going on in Takaungu. We always try to bring the two different parts of the world as close as we can get them. It is important that people all over the world know that we are really making a difference in Takaungu and our help is enduring.

At this moment I’m trying to manage the Vutakaka Center and the Vutakaka Junior School. It is a way of management I never experienced before in Holland. We are learning from each other every day; the cultural differences, the language, the way of leadership, etc. It is an amazing experience.-- Jane Sijl

In Takaungu, Kenya, it is normal for the man to have the sole responsibility of providing for his family. However, in reality, it often happens that the man cannot find a job and turns to simply selling some of the agricultural items he grows himself, or that his wife is keeping in the garden. The women are always busy with preparing food, cooking, fetching water, working on the field, and in general keeping the family running.

Two years of operating Vutakaka Center, and we are now seeing direct results of our sewing program. We want to share the story of Kafedha with you. Kafedha has been a member of the Vutakaka Sewing Manufacturer group since its inception in 2003. Kafedha is 30 years old and she and her family are considered among the poorest on earth. $1.00 a day in income would be a great blessing for her family. Unfortunately, her struggle with extreme poverty is not dissimilar from hundreds of other families in the Takaungu area. However, what is unique about Kafedha’s situation is that it is improving.

Kafedha’s husband is about 55 years of age and they have 6 children. You can imagine the struggle they go through every day to buy food, pay school fees, do laundry (when they have to buy water) etc.. In fact, several of her children have slightly distended bellies do to protein deficiency. Despite all this, they are a very welcoming family and it is always wonderful to go and visit them. They live near the Vutakaka Center, so we always see them a lot. And, through the organization, we have been able to assist Kafedha and her family in several ways. Truthfully, the transformation of Kafedha’s situation and the changes we see happening with the family lately are incredible.

At Vutakaka, Kafedha is making wonderful coin purses, cosmetic pouches and eyeglass holders. Maybe you’ve bought one of her items? From the sale of these products, she is earning a living larger than most likely ever before. Last week we noticed her husband was preparing a healthy lunch for all the children while she was working at the Center. (A husband doing such work is practically unheard of in this area). Half an hour later he was serving the large meal to all of his children, and enjoying it with a big smile. It put a smile on our faces as well. This is the real result of what the EAC stands for, the empowerment of women. It starts with just one woman, one family, one child at a time, but the results are definitely there. – Jane Sijl

The East African Center (EAC) is working tirelessly to achieve the Millennium Development Goals through our community empowerment center in Takaungu, Kenya. We are proud to be a part of this growing international movement. With your support, we will continue to grow and serve more people, bringing the world closer to a time when extreme poverty is a thing of the past

MDG (Millenium Development Goal) - Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger: The EAC - offers poverty eradication programs teaching skills in sewing and farming as well as basic business skills. Our programs provide income and food for participants.

MDG - Achieve universal primary education: The EAC – offers a nursery school and first grade class (and anticipates adding additional classes in 2006) as well as teaches adults basic literacy and math skills. We also offer free tutoring for students who attend other schools.

MDG - Promote gender equality and empower women: The EAC – offers literacy, math, and business skills classes for women. Women and children are the primary focus of all of our programs.

MDG - Reduce child mortality: The EAC – offers weekly health education and literature to mothers on child health, disease prevention and treatment.

MDG - Improve maternal health: The EAC – offers weekly health education and literature on reproductive and maternal health.

MDG – Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases: The EAC – offers health education lectures and literature to women on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other disease prevention.

MDG - Ensure environmental sustainability: The EAC - offers Farmer’s Field School which helps promote crop diversification and environmentally sustainable practices

MDG - Develop a global partnership for development: The EAC - Links high-income countries to low-income countries through public education, charitable contributions and volunteerism

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)