Christmas Greetings

Dear friend,

The last several years, I have sent Christmas greetings from Rabuor. Doing so brings my two homes, Seattle and Rabuor, together. My daughter Audrey is usually in the US at Christmastime, while I am usually with my mother in Rabuor as we celebrate with our ever-growing Ong’udi family. In the picture with my Mama Rosemell is my niece Amanda Ochieng.

2020 started as “normal”; In January, I celebrated the beginning of the Kenyan school year with the teachers, parents, support staff, and students—especially the new students!—at the Mwanzo Education Center. But the joy of that day seems long ago and very far away. My Mama Rosemell has been struggling with her health, and I truly would love to be with her now. Because of the coronavirus, I have postponed my travel. I know that many of you have also lost special times and, in some cases, final moments, with loved ones who you could not visit because of COVID-19. I am struggling to find the language that can fully capture my profound sadness at this time. Yet, as a Christian, I lean on counting my blessings of family, community, education, and “having enough!”

I want to share one of those blessings with you: after a very strict lockdown in March due to COVID-19, the Kenya government has finally permitted the reopening of schools (though only specific grades). For MEC, only the fourth graders are back in the classroom. It is both gratifying and challenging to hear that many of the students in the other grades heard of the school opening and came to school because they saw their schoolmates walk to school or heard the school bell ring.

When the children in other grades were asked to return home, many refused to leave. It is hard to chase children away at lunch hour knowing that many of them have little, if any, food at home. Our staff are making sure these children receive masks and food, sharing blessings of community. Online learning is out of the question at this time due to the lack of technological resources. At the same time, it is a joy to know that we provide such extraordinary education that our children want to be in school.

Our teachers and staff are now teaching and feeding the fourth graders, while also feeding and attending to any who drop in throughout the day. The teachers still plan lessons and are making photocopies to provide take-home schoolwork for students in other grades, sharing the blessing of education.

We continued to pay our teachers and support staff during the lockdown. This made it possible to distribute food to over 200 families and check on our students while school was closed. This work continues because of your financial support. As we grieve the loss of everyday life as we knew it—including sharing a meal in the hot sun of Christmas with Mama Rosemell and her growing number of grandchildren—I’m reminded how most precious life is! I am able to share life with my Audrey here and many of you on Zoom! Indeed, as I count my blessings, I am not able to name them all!

Among the many joys of 2020: we welcomed our first class of 6th graders in January.  We paid off the bus that we bought last year. We continue our mission, giving thanks for the extraordinary leadership of our Country Manager Jonathan, our accountant, our teachers, and our support staff. I am filled with gratitude.

Many needs remain, and your gift or pledge will help us to navigate the new year of 2021 on stronger footing. Please consider becoming a sustaining donor this year. Help Mwanzo ensure that hope has a home in Rabuor, for the years ahead.

Thank you for making your circle wide and including the community in Rabuor and her neighbors. My prayer this Christmas is that all our children in both Kenya and the USA will have reassurance that life will soon be safe, they will have enough, and that they are loved, now and for years to come. 

With love and gratitude, 

Loyce Ong’udi 
Founder and Executive Director