Jambo, I’m Mike Pearson, also known as Mike Musyoki, and It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. For me and these two pictures, it’s what happens in the time frame between these pictures that is worth sharing. The first pic is me and my new friend Stanley Mutunga on my first visit to Southeast Kenya with Tumaini in 2005. The second is me with my old friend Stanley on my latest trip to Kenya this past summer, which marks my 12th or 13th trip with Tumaini International. I’d like to share with you some of the things I’ve “seen” in 18 yrs and many, many trips.
First and foremost is Hope. The interesting thing about hope is that it’s not a tangible thing, you can’t physically touch hope, but you can see hope in someone’s demeanor, in their actions and the way they carry themselves, you can see it on their faces, you can see it in their eyes. I’ve seen over the years an overwhelming change in demeanor and attitude from one of despair to one of Hope.
I’ve seen so many kids being sponsored. On my first few trips, at the TUBE camps, you could get all the sponsored kids into one meeting area at Masii Boys Highschool. Now there are so many kids sponsored that the camps are held in different counties throughout eastern Kenya and Mombasa on the coast. If you currently sponsor a child or have in the past, you are the reason for Hope.
I’ve noticed small businesses starting because of micro loans being offered. These small businesses have revitalized entire villages due to the economic impact of providing revenue and income, which brings the standard of living up, and because of this… Hope… if you’ve donated to these finance projects or to the general fund, you are the reason for Hope.
I’ve noticed Tumaini alumni, kids that came through the program, become successful entrepreneurs, become successful in their chosen fields, some have become sponsors themselves, some now work for Tumaini. All of these have one thing in common. They made the most of the opportunity that was given them and have chosen to give back to their communities, to support Tumaini and make sure that others can follow in their footsteps and have an opportunity for success. If you have sponsored a child through Tumaini or are reading this as an alumni, you’re the reason for Hope.
I’ve seen homes built where there used to be barely a mud hut or tin shack with a roof of palm fronds. This is where you will truly see hope on a person’s face, and if you’ve ever had the opportunity to provide for the construction of or help to build a home for someone in Kenya, you are the reason for hope.
There are countless things I could continue to share that I’ve noticed over the yrs, these are just a few examples, but I do however wish for you to see the theme here. If you’re reading this, I can assume you have supported Tumaini to some extent and hopefully still do. Either way, hope happens and is made possible because of you.
There is one other thing I’ve seen. A small clinic was built years ago and was sufficient to meet the needs of the kids and the community for a time. Then a one-story hospital was built, Tumaini mission hospital, and it was sufficient for less than a year. In the second picture with me and my old friend Stanley, we’re standing in front of the new Tumaini mission hospital that is currently under construction and will be a game changer for this region of eastern Kenya and beyond. Join Tumaini in funding this hospital, and together we will continue to bring Hope, to change lives, and with this hospital, save lives.
Thank you,
Mike Pearson