Why "Amini"

Amini means believe or imagine in Kiswahili. I can't think of two better words to sum up the journey of our team and our vision for the children we hope to reach.

Believe- Describes our belief in God. Simply put, through God all things are possible. 

Imagine- There is a song called "Imagine Me" that Bochi, Kimathi and I listened to in Kenya that seemed to describe the transition they were making in their lives. Also, Bochi would frequently reflect on his life saying "Imagine, I'm in university..." like he could barely believe his own reality. It is a song of hope, overcoming obstacles in life and seeing ourselves as God sees us.

Overview from Sheila

I became a Peace Corps (PC) volunteer for the adventure, to experience a new culture and to work with under privileged children. Little did I know it would change my life and I would eventually move back to Kenya full time.

I had been working in corporate finance for several years. My free time was spent traveling, mountaineering, running and mostly just living for myself. I happened to meet a few people who had just returned from Peace Corps service. I would spend hours asking them questions and was envious of their experiences and ability to help others. I thought, "why be envious, just do it". So I think I shocked my family, friends and coworkers when I told them I would be taking a leave of absence from work to join the Peace Corps for two years. Eight months later I was on a plane to Kenya.

I was a PC volunteer in Kenya from 2005-2007 utilizing my business skills working with a dairy co-op. I had no prior experience with agriculture but quickly came to enjoy learning about raising dairy cows. I remember telling my sister at one time, "I love the smell of cows". I'm sure she was thinking I had lost my mind. But when you are dependent on the local cows for your milk or for the milk and income of schools and children's centres, you really have a whole new appreciation for them and for agriculture.

I spent most of my free time with the children at St. Gerald Children's Centre. It was at the Centre that I learned when you are doing something you are passionate about it is no longer work.

St. Gerald's is a centre for vulnerable/orphaned children. During my time there I helped with everything from teaching, helping to upgrade the farm to include zero grazing dairy cows, installing biogas, obtaining sponsors for the students to attend high school, taking kids to the hospital when they were sick and just being there for the kids. Over the two years the kids became like family to me. The smiles of the children and the gratitude made it was such a rewarding experience. Also, I grew to love the simple lifestyle and the warmth of the Kenyans.

Children at St. Gerald Children's Centre

After I completed my two years of Peace Corps service I returned to my job in corporate finance and continued to visit the Centre nearly every year. In wanting to be able to provide more help to the children and visit Kenya more frequently, I worked with some of my friends that were raised at the Centre and we purchased 2 acres of land about 1 mile (1.6km) from the Centre where we could build a house. The purpose of the house is to provide a home for the vulnerable/orphaned children from the Centre to live in during their school breaks and also for me to have a place that I can live when in Kenya. 

Construction of our home started in Sept of 2012. Bochi, who grew up at the Centre, has been managing the construction by contracting with the builder, purchasing the materials and ensuring construction is complete. Mama Mwungi, who will be our house mom, has been overseeing the day to day construction. During my trip in Dec. 2012 I knew I was ready to spend more of my time in Kenya and in March 2013 I left my job in order to move back to Kenya on a full time basis. I will be back in Kenya in April right as the construction of the house is scheduled to be complete!

It has been seven years since I first met my friends and the children at St. Gerald. It has been amazing to watch the children grow from attending primary school and now high school and others from high school to university. Some of the older kids like Bochi have gone on to become successful business owners and are now partnering with me to continue to help the children. When seeing the older alum of the Centre committed to helping the younger children, I know that we have a very special project that we are starting! Together we have created a Community Based Organization called Kenya Amini (Kenya Children and Community Organization) where we are committed to continue to help improve the lives of the children.

I am so excited and honored to continue being part of their lives and am looking forward to being back to Kenya!

Kimathi's first day of university!

Some of our high school boys and their sponsors 2010

Karanja and Sheila- return trip in 2008

Count Down

One month from today is my flight back to Kenya! I am so looking forward to being back there with my friends and all of the kids! But before I get there we are working to get our website and blog set up. And thanks to one of our "kids" John Joroge for helping me get it all set up!