Melissa braves the rain for Candlelight School

This past weekend, our Chairwoman of the Board Melissa Schaap again showed why it is a privilege to work with her on behalf of our friends in Kenya. After struggling all week with illness, on Saturday she spent 2 1/2 hours in cold rainy weather on behalf of 307 kids who need computers in Nairobi.

I’m not sure I could run 2 1/2 minutes in that weather, but here is our amazing Melissa’s synopsis of the race

The bad news: The weather was cold and I had a cold.
The good news: Due to lightening, they changed the swim to an additional 2 mile run. (This was God’s answer to my prayer to not have to swim in the cold with a cold!)
The bad news: The 23.5 mile bike ride was freezing and muddy and not so fun.
The good news: It’s over and I finished (with a smile on my face) in just under 2½ hours (my goal).

Why did she do it?

Shane and I have spent time with Pastor Fred and Alice (when they visited CO) who started and now run Candlelight School. They have become our friends and we admire them greatly…I can personally attest to the fact that this computer lab and computer training initiative is solid and will have a significant long-term impact on these kids’ lives.

Imagine our schools in the States (and other developed countries) without computers. Even Leyna, my pre-schooler, uses a computer at school! Now YOU can help make computers accessible to more than 300 students in Nairobi, Kenya!!!

So I’m asking you to join Melissa. No not on the next Duathalon, unless that’s your cup of tea! I’m asking you to give $10, $100, $1000…whatever you can afford to help these children have something that has been rare in their lives: opportunity. An opportunity to gain skills that can break the cycle of poverty for life.

Click here before September 18th to change a life and help up meet our goal of $4,000, which will also earn us a permanent spot on Global Giving!

Thank you Melissa.

More photos here:

On Friday, August 14th, 2009 we had the pleasure of partying with the incredible folks involved with pARTiclars, the Lafayette, CO Art Market.

It was an evening of celebration and conversation as we discussed the inspiring work of local artists in Colorado and the innovative poverty alleviation efforts of our community-based partners in Kenya.  It was a great night of fun and purpose!

The event raised over $400 for our efforts to break the cycle of poverty!!

Thank You pARTiculars for your advocacy, action, and activism!!!!

If you are ever in the Lafayette, CO area, please stop by pARTiculars, support local artists, and tell them that The 1010 Project sent you.

A young girl from the Quarry community helps with the evacuation.

On Thursday September 3rd, 2009 residents (over 10,000) of the Quarry community in Nairobi were forced to abandon their homes because of demolition and the threat of fire.

Quarry Community Evictions – Pictures of the evictions and evacuation

The 1010 Project’s community partner, Fair Oaks School & Redeemed Gospel Church, provided this email report:

They [vigilant group of young men who have been hired by private developer] released terror on the people and threatened to set a blaze the slum which has over 10,000 people and 3000 houses made of iron sheets including the church. The eviction and demolition came in at a time least expected because the notice given by the land owner was too short to allow anybody plan for the next move.  This is the most heart breaking and the most unfortunate thing that has ever happened to me and the church here at Quarry.  I am watching the walls and the roofs of the church go down and there is nothing much I can do because the owners of the premises have already sold out the property and they have demolished to build up their estates and other personal properties.  Our negotiations with the land owner were unfruitful even after lengthy consultations.

Hundreds of people living in this slum have been affected by the eviction for two nights now most of them have been spending nights in the cold. The church and the school have been affected. For two days running the school is closed and the church activities have been suspended.

Furthermore, Redeemed has been providing vocational training (compute skills, embroidery, tailoring) to young adults in the communities.  These critical services have been temporarily suspended as a result of the demolition.

The 1010 Project is working with Northside Christian Church to raise financial support for the reconstruction and rebuilding efforts.  If you would like to support this vibrant community and important project, please include in the special instructions section or memo line of your donation – “Redeemed Reconstruction”.