|
by Laura Gardner Salazar
The inspiration for FAF began with my trip to Kenya in August of 1998, at the height of the AIDS crisis in Kenya. To read about my experience that lead to the development of the organization, please read the section The Founding of FAF, which can be found on this website under the heading, "About Us."
AGENCIES FAF SUPPORTS IN KENYA
THE GOOD SAMARITAN HOME
John and Mercy Thuo founded the Good Samaritan Home in the mid 1990's when they found tow orphans who needed a home at the same time theor owne home had a spare bedroom. Today the Thuos and their volunteers and workers serve 500 children, 200 of whom live on the premises. Located in the Marhare Slum of Nairobi, Kenya, The Good Samaritan Home has a fine reputation for helping boys and girls with nutritious food, a clean, positive environment, and a good education. It is an island of calm and order, cleanliness and hope in a se of dirt and crime and alcoholism.
A kindergarten through eighth grade school is located within the home. Elementary school is government supported in Kenya, but high school is not. Each year more children from the GSH pass their exams to enter high school, so more and more tuition is needed every year. Much of the money FAF sends to Africa goes for high school tuition.
To present a taste of the problems the Thuose face every day, here are excerpts from Mercy Thuo's letter dated January, 2006.
Because of famine and drought which are facing our contry many children will not go back to school due to lack of school fees. This year we will not enroll new students to high school as former ones, instead they will repeat standard eight. This is because we have accumulated a huge balance in school fees. . . We are seeking your wisdon into this problem. This year we have enrollde 32 children in Government University which is cost sharing, and three children in computer colleges and three girls in beautitian/hair dressing courses. . . As you are aware AIDS and poverty has lead to people through [throwing] away many children of whom we are rescing every day. Recently we rescued one-day-old baby girl into our center and her brother was already dead. We found in one polythene paper being thrown away by poor mother and community report the incident to us.
WOMEN FIGHTING AIDS IN KENYA [WOFAK]
Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya was founded about the same time by professional women in Kenya who had contrated HIV/AIDS from their prominent husbands. Dorothy Onyanga was one of these women, and is the only survivor from the group. The women had power and influence, and they saw that they could make a difference.
At first WOFAK's goals were to support dying women--women who needed to teach their children how to plant and harvest crops, how to stay clean and cook nutritious food, how to continue their eduations, and how to hold their families in their memories befor AIDS claimed them.
With the introduction of anti-retroviral drugs, the work changed. Now WOFAK has foud stations around the country. Each supports families of HIV/AIDS by disbursing drugs, feeding families, counseling pregnant worm with AHID/AIDS and making sure that children stay in school.
Charles Kaduwa, Program Officer of WOFAK, wrote this letter excerpted below to FAF in December of 2008.
Currently we have needs within our orphan support program, with an ever-increasing numbers of children who require foodstuffs, schooling and life skills. Year 2008 was a year of clients-influx, compounded with the harsh economic times that engulfed Kenya and the world at large. Many of our clients hardly managed to access basics of life and dependency on WOFAK went up three-fold. For now, any support you extend to our program will go towards supporting orphans in ways that touch their lives in the immediate, aminly foodstuffs and schooling needs.
TRENDS IN THE FIRST TEN YEARS
"May God Bless you Dearly." Mercy and Staff
Emphasis in the early days of FAF centered on an unstoppable disease, HIV/AIDS. We worried about 8000 people dying daily and 600,000 children born with AIDS in 2002. There was a frantic search for a way to stop of somehow control the spread of AIDS. The climate of our newsletters sugested high optimism in our ability to help women and orphans through our making and selling African textiles. At the same time one of our 2000 newsletters noted, "It is hard to be chipper." Laura Salazar passionately lectured many non-profit groups about the dreadful circumstance.
Early in the Tweny First Century, companies developed anti-retroviral drugs to fight AIDS. At first this added to the frustration, as they charged $30.00 per day per patient, and insisted that people in undeveloped contries would never take their medicines with any regularity. This prejudice against peoples in poorer countries proved to be untrue. In 2003 through pressure from governments and NGOs everywhere, this charge was lowered to $2.00 per day. Governments and private groups jumped in; and over the years, most people with AIDS now received free or low-cost medications. It was noted in 2006 that AIDS deaths had dropped to 100,000.
The emphasis changed at FAF from helping mothers live a year to two so they might teach their children practical and ethical lessions, to helping mothers and children stay healthy on a good diet and with the promise of a high school education. The orphan problem continues today, although the number of new orphans has dropped. The average incom in Kenya remains at $300.00 per year, so many of the orphans in the Good Samaritan Home result from poverty. FAF currently supports women and children by feeding, and paying for tuition. Each year seems to bring famine, riots, and more children in need of tuition. The need has not gone away. New areas of work are focused on Malaria and tuberculosis and the need for poorer countries to support themselves, thus becoming independent of the Western World.
CLOTH
From the beginning FAF centered its work around the beauty of African textiles. In 2000 FAF boldly stated, "We promis to be colorful and fabulous.
Over the years FAF introduced hundred of people to African textiles and designs. Soon in our existence, we discovered Chicago Fabrics, Buddy Miller, Prop. This store specialized in importing African Fabrics. Our cooperation helped our image and Buddy's coffers. FAF begged everyone we met who might be traveling to Africa to buy textiles while abroad. Often these were donated to FAF by the traveler. Laura went on the road and talked to quilt groups and others about the history and types of textiles we use. FAF gained friends in museums, alleries and sewing groups. maintaining high standards in all of the items it sold. The Board of FAF always included artists as well as those interesed in the welfare of children and women around the world.
FAF expanded to fine art with the drawing by the talented Daniel Machaia, a young man who grew up in the Good Samaritan Home. Daniel donated four painting to FAF, two of which became greeting cards, "My Village Home." and "Under the Watchful Eye of God." FAF developed a relationship with the artist and AIDS activist Mary Fisher whose work has been exhibited throughout the United States. She said of FAF, In the wake of AIDS comes disease, suffering, death, and finally societies that crumble. FAF blends marvelous art with social purpose and the result if human good. . . here is a devoted crew of artists, proving again that small groups with big hearts can make massive contributions.
Jill Hamilton, Costumer at Grand Valley State University, and the second President of FAF, provided advice on all things artistic. The Surface Design Guild of Tampa Bay helped Laura with her development as a textile artist. Sarah Butz, a well-known artist in Florida joined our board in 2007. Her advice and work with art from the Good Samaritan Home children gave our work a new audience. Walter Peterson, co-owner of Amazuii Contemporary Art Gallers in Saugatuck, MI became a member and provided his expertise.
THE ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
The organization was started by Laura Salazar and some of her closest friends: Margaret Carlson, Roger Ellis, Jill Hamilton and Shirley Harbin. FAF branched out by sending brochures, letters and conversations to all the friends and relatives we knew. As the years went by and FAF grew, members joind first and became friends later. Members have been very loyal over the years with a stable number in the range of fifty. A third of these fifty have family memberships, giving us about seventy people actively supporting our expenses, so that donations and sales can go directly to Africa.
In 1999 Laura started living in Florida half of the year, and grew the organization in Florida as well as in Michigan. With all of our contacts, members now come from Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the countries of Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
FAF receive its 501 (c) (3) status in 2001, and donations became tax deductible, which lead to mor ways to raise funds. The Board grew with the membership, and soon we had a working board in both Michigan and Florida. The larger board drew more members, and made it possible for us to find new venues for sales. A variety of churches became a part of our work and fun.
Over the years the FAF Board and members and friends had great fun. Celebrations of all kinds drw us together: birthday parties, celebrations to introduce artists and friends, parties to celebrate good news, parties to draw new people into the group. Potlucks introduced us to African foods and ways to entertain. Jill Hamilton made delectable deviled eggs which we auctioned off at shocking prices. Soon every good dish became an auction item, giving us hilarious bidding wars. Always we sought out people with connections to Kenya who helped us understand the country and its customs, and taught us to love Kenya and its people.
SALES
As the organization grew, so did sales and sales venues. FAF became well known at the Farmer's Markets in Grand Rapids, MI and Safety Harbor, FL. Galleries, art markets and church sales became important places to sell our goods. Currently we specialize in sales at the Grand Rapids Art Market in Michigan and churches in Florida.
Revenues began modestly, with donations to Africa at $200.00 several times a year. Currently we send thousands of dollars each year, equally dividing the payments between The Good Samaritan Home and Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya.
LOOKING FORWARD
Fabulous African Fabrics members and board look forward to the day when our work with widows and orphans in Kenya will no longer be needed. We can not fool ourselves. That day will not be soon. Our loyalty to those who through no fault of their own are cast into poverty, disease, and suffering is strong. Emphasis will remain on the children and women we serve--keeping them alive, healthy, and becoming educated, well-adjusted people.
At the same time, we know that we will change. Current thinking emphasizes the need for peoles in wealthier nations to help those in poor nations become independent of our support. For now, our decisions about giving will keep that idea formost in our minds. Our faith is on an education population that can solve problesm on their own and can build a bright future for the Kenyan people.
FUNDS AND FUNDRAISING
FUNDS SENT TO AFRICA
$39,518.00
With the addition of Rotary International's Contribution: $53,418.00
In Kenya this would do $480,762.00 worth of work.
Year Amount sent to Africa
2000 $878
2001 $1800
2002 $3300
2003 $3600
2004 $3600
2005 $5390
2006 $4050
2007 $8450
2008 $6550
2009 $2000 (to July)
FAF AT A GLANCE
SUPPORT AND PROJECTS IN KENYA
High School Tuition
Hunger Relief
Emergency Response as needed i.e. unrest in 2008
Youth Career Coundsling--WOFAK Project, 2005
Bed Project with Rotary International
Mosquito nets for Good Samaritan Home
ARTISTS
Betty Betts
Boys and Girls Club of St. Petersburg, FL
Sarah Butz
Children of Waldon School, Blue Lake, CA
Children of the Good Samaritan Home, Kenya
Friends of the Good Samaritan Home, Kenya
Nancy Gardner
Grace Garlid
Sue Hallack
Edda Juhl
Joni Kobernik
Daniel Macharia
Maggi McKerrow
Barbara Powell
Gina May
Lucy Ramshaw
Laura Salazar
Trish Sande
Tampa Bay Surface Design Ghile
Christy Taylor
Mary Voss
Dian Zahner
FUND RAISING No donation is ever too small--Dorothy Onyonga
501 (c) (3) Granted May of 2001
Sales of Art and Crafts 1999- Present
Farmers' Markets
Art Markets
Craft Fairs
Galleries
Miscellaneous Donations in Honor
Schuler Books and Music Book Days
Annual Anthony Salazar Memorial Fund 2005- Present
February Black History Month "Chicken Feed" First UMC, Dunedin, FL
Garage Sales 2008-9
ACTIVITIES IN THE USA
Lectures
Meetings
Parties
Picnics
"Dash About Bear" travels to sales and ends up at the Good Samaritan Home, 2005
Pen Pals between Good Samaritan Home & Waldorf School, Blue Lake, CA
Celebrations
Study
Trips
Website--2003- Present
PARTIAL LIST OF ITEMS FOR SALE
Aprons
Cards
Dolls
Jewelry
Oven Mits
Paintings
Purses
Scarves
Toys
Wall Hangings
BOARD OF FAF, 2009-2010 Listed with date of joining Board
Nancy Abbott, At Large--2008
Sarah Butz, Publicity--2008
Margaret Carlson, Past President --1999
Patricia Callan, Vice President--2000
Christine Coggins, President--2003
Roger Ellis Ph. D., At Large--1999
Jill Hamilton, Past President--1999
Shirley Harbin, Ph.D., At Large--1999
Constance Jones, Treasurer--2003
Betsy Knox, Secretary--2002
Laura Gardner Salazar, Executive Director--1999
|