I’m Going to Gambella!

This summer, I (Matt) will be traveling to Kenya, to volunteer in our dear village of Gambella.  I’ll be going with about a dozen other volunteers and GHNI staff.  We’re trying to raise $3,300 before I leave, so that we can work on the following projects while I’m there (you can donate by clicking on the ChipIn Widget on the top-left of this page):

• Using the money that we raised last fall, I will be helping Wubshet to purchase goats for our small animal loan program, and distribute them to the neediest families in the village.

• We will be building a storehouse—now that Gambella is growing more and more crops, they need a safe place to keep all that food, until they can eat it or sell it (depending on the crop).

• If we’re able to raise all $3,300, we will have enough money to build a clean water tank and latrine by the clinic building (if you recall from the video call, these are the last requirements that must be in place before the government gives the approval to use the clinic).

The reality of all this, has smacked me right between the eyes.  I’m very aware of both sides of the impact of our efforts.  On the upside, the money that we raise makes a very real and significant impact!  On the downside, if we don’t raise the money for these projects, they won’t happen!  There’s a lot of potential joy (or potential heartache) wrapped up in this partnership.  Our efforts matter—they truly matter.  We can change a village—our dear village!