“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”
Anne Frank
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”
Anne Frank
It’s International Women’s Day today. The United Nations defines this magnificent day:
“International Women’s Day (8 March) is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.
International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for “liberty, equality, fraternity” marched on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage.”
We wanted to say THANK YOU to all of our supporters for making a difference in the lives of the girls at Saint Monica’s. You have ensured the girls with a bright future and becoming great Kenyan Women!
Just wanted to share new photos on the site! We have thousands of photos and we are trying to keep up! If you would like to see more pictures of the girls at SMCH go directly to our PHOTOS page!
Thanks for stopping by!
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.â€
Mother Teresa
I used to lie awake at night thinking, “I have to do something to make a difference in someone’s life. But who’s life? How and where would I even start?”
I would toss and turn knowing that there had to be a reason for me to be on this Earth other than to consume oxygen. But what was it? Don’t get me wrong, I work hard. I have a great husband and family, and I love my life. But there needed to be more. I floundered around and I investigated different organizations, wondered if I could start my own, but it was all very overwhelming. Then I found Mothers Fighting for Others and I knew I found “ITâ€. A small grass roots organization that helps the girls of Saint Monica’s Orphanage. They needed help and I felt like I could make a difference.
This is Alice, our youngest at Saint Monica's.  Audrey has been sponsoring her since 2010.
After working with Rocky and the other members of the organization, it started to grow to the point where we could see the changes that improved the girl’s lives. This was very satisfying for everyone. I could see the differences in the organization and the girls. It is becoming even more real for me.
I am going to go to Kenya with Rocky next month to visit the girls on their school break!!
I am so excited and I can’t even begin to describe the feeling.  I am a little embarrassed to tell you that I already have my suitcase out to start packing.  As the time gets closer for our trip this April, the more real it becomes. I have to tell you at times I become overwhelmed with emotion thinking about actually meeting the girls, our girls, my girls!! I know when the time comes it will be full of happy tears for me.
With the help of my amazing friends, family and support group, I will be able to bring dresses, jump ropes, Frisbees, soccer balls and health information for the girls. I am fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my life to help the girls have a better and happier life.
It will be a long journey physically and personally for me. I am going to keep a journal and take plenty of photographs to share with all of you. Hopefully, that will inspire others to explore how they can help others and make a difference in someones life.
-Audrey
*Audrey Forshey has supported MFFO for over two years now sponsoring two girls of her own and heads the Annual Gift of Education Fundraiser in Washington D.C.
It’s been an amazing personal journey for me these past three and half years. I have grown and changed as a woman and as a Mother. But when I look back and see photos of the girls from October 2007, and see photos from just a few months ago, I am amazed and taken back by how much the girls have changed as well.
Jackline 2007
Jackline 2010
Most of them are no longer little girls. They have not only grown taller, they have matured and are on their journey into womanhood. I am so very grateful to everyone who has supported me and MFFO these past three and half years. Thank you for supporting MFFO and letting me be a part of their journey as well.
Lillian, Joyce, and Teresia
Last weekend was half term break for our girls at Saint Monica’s. They got four days off from school. I know that may not seem like such a big deal to us here, but it is. You see, on a typical school day, our girls go from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. They also go to school on Saturdays as well until noon.
Why you ask? The chance to get into a great High School is so very competitive in Kenya. Each girl has to work extra hard to get the grades she needs to be accepted. Our girls understand this. So they work day in and day out to get the best grades they can possibly get.
So last Thursday, this picture was taken of Lillian, Joyce and Teresia when they arrived back from school. They were happy to be able to take a few days off and just enjoy being a kid before the next half of the term began. Now, this week, the work begins once again.
We are so very proud of each girl as she moves forward to her academic goals. Each one of them has a dream, and we are so very lucky to witness it.
One of our longest supporters here at MFFO has joined the Random Act of Kindness Challenge this week. Shelley Seale, blogger and author of The Weight Of Silence and her newest book, How to Travel For Free has asked her readers to join her to raise school supplies and such for our girls at Saint Monica Children’s Home.
On her blog 30 Days At A Time she says,
My giving today was an item for St. Monica’s Girls Home in Kenya. My dear friend Rocky Turner runs an orphanage that is home to 34 girls. They also pay for the girls’ schooling, and always need school supplies. One of the items on their wish list is a scientific calculator. I just happen to have a barely-used one of my daughter’s, and I wrapped it up to send to Rocky as my giving for the day.
But I don’t want to stop there! The girls at St. Monica’s always need a number of items, and I intend to gather more together to send. If you’d like to help, and can donate any of the items on the list below (either that you already have or can pick up inexpensively at stores such as Target or Wal Mart), please let me know. I will be happy to come pick your donations up (as long as you live in Austin!), or I can give you a mailing address (U.S.) for your donation. Thank you!
So THANK you Shelley for all your love and support! And THANK YOU to all your readers who will help our girls in Kenya!
* you can read the post in its entirety at 30 Days at A Time.
“Will someone else’s life be brighter tomorrow because of what you have done today?”
-William Arthur Ward
Ruth, Maureen & Alice showing off their new uniforms!
Last November, we celebrated our 2011 School Year Annual Education Fundraiser. It was an amazing night hosted by Mike and Audrey Forshey, and all their amazing and dedicated friends. It was a a wonderful night. Along with the money raised and money donated by sponsors (some of our girls have specific sponsors), we were able to raise all the money for the 2011 school year.
We wanted to update you where the money is going. For the past few weeks, we have been busy registering the girls in schools, some new ones because we had the funds, and paying off the first term school fees. (There are three terms each year)
The great thing is that some of the schools offer swimming and computer courses as well. What an amazing opportunity for our girls!
We have 31 girls registered at four different schools. Here is the breakdown:
Laureate School – Elementary School-Boarding (3 girls)
Paid: 01/26/2011
$1,214.73
St. Ann Gichocho Girls Secondary School - High School-Boarding (12 girls)
Paid: 01/19/2011
$3,828.93
Mirema School – Elementary – (14 girls total/ 2 boarding 12 day scholars)
Paid: 01/24/2011
$4,147.90
Loreto School – High School- Boarding (1 girl)
Paid: 01/25/2011
$220.00
Totaling: $9410 for the first term. Money is sent separately to Sisters Arise Project for requirements (personal items and school supplies for each girl) totaling approximately $1700 – $2000 a term, this is based on exchange rate and what grades the girls are in.
So there you have it. The girls are settled and ready for the new 2011 school year. Our founder, Rocky Turner, along with Audrey Forshey, will be heading to Kenya in April. We will update you on the girls progress in school then, with plenty of pictures of course!
Thanks again to everyone who supported the 2011 school year. None of this would be possible without you!
