Thank You!

This blog is probably one of the most important blogs I will write. Just look at these pictures. Look at what YOU have completed! The dormitory is built! I am in tears. Without all of you that are reading this, it would not have happened. Together we have built a better place for orphans in Kenya, Africa. Together we have made a difference in so many people’s lives. I hope you can feel through my words how many lives you have touched. My dream of leaving Africa in a little better place than I found it has come true. You have not only touched the lives of so many in this community, you have truly, truly touched my life in more ways than words can express. Thank you everyone. The children also thank you! They move in to their new space this Sunday! I am still receiving donations from all of you! This is just wonderful. I will accept anything you feel you’d like to offer up until the moment I leave Kenya (June 8th). There are so many things I can do and if you feel you still want to help, please know that we can send children to high school, purchase a few comforts for the dormitory and study hall, give money to other local groups that are helping orphans. (A side note: While I was visiting one of the schools last week, a teacher was telling me that there are many children that attend school that do not live in an orphanage but are orphans. Imagine young kids who live alone with no parents and no one to look after them. The teacher told me many of them come to school barefoot – which I’ve witnessed, hungry and in need of much basic care that we take for granted. Out of the kindness of some of these teacher’s hearts, they put together a group to raise money and resources to help their children...”our” children.) Know that if you want to donate you can send me money or send money to Jason Nyberg: 2538 Chamberlain Ave. Madison WI 53705 Speaking of sending money... I give special thanks to: Jenny Schienle Katherine Hadley Janet Markwart Linda and Allan Troullier Robert McGee Rachel Howell O'Neil Marion Lane My Birthday!!! I want to say a special thank you for all of you that called me and emailed me to wish me a happy birthday. I had such a great birthday. Wanja threw me the best birthday party. It is amazing how special and loved I felt. She invited over 30 of her friends (some that I knew from meeting them through her in the past). We ate really good food (they even slaughtered a goat---which of course I was sad about and didn’t eat, but understood the symbolism and importance of doing), drank wine, danced and stayed out very late. It was the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me while I’ve been here. Wanja if you are reading this, I could never even begin to thank you enough for all of the kindness and support that you have given me during my stay here. My birthday was one of my best memories in Kenya and something I will keep with me for the rest of my life. On Sunday, I celebrated with the kids. I’ve include more pictures of them with balloons. I’ve also saved some toys that your donation money has bought. I’ll be giving them some fun things to play with this week. As some of you know, I celebrate my birthday on more than one day. So sometime during “my birthday week” we’ll have presents! Thank you once again for taking the time to read my message and to look at my newest pictures. Love to you all! Namaste.