It is
Thanksgiving in the United States again and this always seems like a wonderful
time to give thanks for the people we love and those that support us tirelessly
in our work. The list for us at Yellow House Children's is always quite long.
So many people help us in various ways across our projects. But let me start
here. Thank you to:
Rachael
Gibson for her energy and dedication to the administration of our Kenyan
projects. Rachael manages to take care of children, families, community members
and related professionals while working closely with the Nairobi Speech
Language Therapy (SLT) community AND managing Patrick and I in the United
States to make sure she has the resources she needs to get the job done.
David
Rochus for his talents serving families and juggling 101 demands placed on him
by the US end of the organization as well as the those in the Kenyan communities
David works within. Since David joined us we have been nothing but impressed by
his work ethic, thoughtful responses to all situations and his dedication to
access and equity in rural service provision.
Patrick
Moran. As our legal counsel and president, Patrick has to put up with a lot of
daily inquiries and demands, conversations and queries. He provides a quiet and
continuous backbone to Yellow House Children's that occurs behind the scenes
and often goes unacknowledged. Our 12 years of friendship is serving us well in this endeavour...
Our
Kenyan colleagues Silas Aguyo, Wellington Manyola and Martin Nafukho who have a
special place in my heart. They were my support, my guides, my counselors and
wise men for so many years that I have a favorite photo of the four of us in my
home always.
Our
board members including: Abbie Olszewski, Tanya Gallman, Bev Applebaum, Karen
Hesterman, and Chris Merkley. Also to our newest additions Joanne Fry and
Michelle Dillon who have both spent time in Kenya with Yellow House, with
Joanne coming to our various districts and providing essential trainings in
Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC).
Brian
Kellett - you make everything we do look beautiful and official. I hope you
will join us in Kenya one day.
Jamie
Kinder for recently making us books to sell, and hauling your children across
states to be with us in Chicago. Your enthusiasm, input and voice sits behinds
many small and sensible decisions. We love that you keep believing and growing
the idea of what it may be possible for Yellow House to achieve.
Stephanie
Thompson for her tireless support of Yellow House. You have been our creative
and talented fundraising hostess extraordinaire and we love you for it. You
infuse our parties with grace.
Rachel
Roszmann for her baking and cooking and continual willingness to make our
parties tasty.
Stef Fatone for her ongoing monthly donations! We love you.
Stef Fatone for her ongoing monthly donations! We love you.
John
Kinder at Death's Door Spirits for your ongoing provision of gin and vodka, and the
belief that a well proportioned cocktail supports an animated
conversation.
In
Australia, Helen Staley is continuously supporting, listening, advising and
fundraising for Yellow House in a plethora of small and large ways.
Karra
Nosworthy, also continues to help us raise money and awareness by selling bags
and aprons (which both funds OUR programs and provides much needed income for Rukia's projects supporting the women who make the products on the coast, and Harry's youth who make the cards
and metal goods in Kisumu).
We are also thankful for the
friendships and professional energies of Elizabeth Sada and Michael Terry and
their role in our history as a growing and developing organization.
As the districts we work in increases
and the number of families we serve grows - our budget amazingly remains quite small (we are doing much more with much less!) - I am amazed at how far we have come
since 2009 when Patrick and I first talked about this.
I am incredibly blessed to be able to participate in this work and
know that Yellow House is a global community project.
Bea
