#27th Well of Great Purpose

Sherlyn’s and her community appreciate the gift of clean water!!!

For Sherlyn’s community it is good news of clean safe water putting an end to their daily search of this precious commodity in rivers and streams. Courtesy of your generous giving, tens of families will draw and consume clean water safe from pathogens, a blessing they so hold dear.

During its prayer dedication and commissioning, the ecstatic village representatives exuded gratitude of how thoughtful the gesture was and promised to protect and take good care of it for its long term sustainability.

This well adds up the total number of wells dug to twenty seven and more good news is that well number 28 is in the pipeline and should be ready in a fortnight. Just like their predecessors these boreholes are a special significance of hope, joy and love that God desires to be reverberated throughout the world among all mankind.

Catapulted to Independence

Our newest Made with Amore graduates sharing their handmade dresses they designed and sewed as part of our incredible, one of a kind, sewing program!

Made with Amore, a vibrant segment within Give Amore, marked another tailoring school graduation the second one during the Covid 19 pandemic.  As is tradition, this not only empowers the students but also instills confidence and sense of independence.  

This time we had five women graduating after successfully completing a six months training on everything embroidery. Each of them was awarded with a sewing machine and a sawing kit to kick-start their journey in business. 

Almost all of these women are single mothers looked unto to care for their families nay village. Therefore, their graduation and awards trickles down to the very last person who depends on them in both the short and long run of their business successes.*

We wish them all the best. 

An Eye-Opening Experience in Texas Leads to Even Greater Compassion

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


”

— Matthew 6:19-21

Dearest Partners,

I apologize for the delay in getting our monthly newsletter out, but we were literally frozen in Texas.  I’ve struggled with so many emotions this past week and I needed some time to process them and check my heart because I wasn’t always in a good place of choosing joy. As we went without heat, water, electricity and food shortages, access to medical care, access to transportation and more, my perspective always brought me back to my beautiful Kenyans and their daily struggles with these same basic necessities.

I’ve always said that here in America most of our problems are “First World Problems”.  You know the whining and complaining “that the order was wrong” or “the line was too long” or “the portion was too small”. Yes, there’s real struggles here as well but most of the time you hear Americans complaining about “first world problems”. However, this past week in Texas, we were unexpectedly confronted with problems that my Kenyan brothers and sisters face daily. And to be straight up honest, it sucked. 

As we slowly start digging out from devastation to our electrical grid, our plumbing, our water supply, our food shortages, and more, I can only pray that this experience gives us all greater empathy for our brothers and sisters across the globe who live with these struggles every single day. I pray that we rally with compassion like never before to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I recognize that it’s nearly impossible to thrive when you’re only focus in on surviving. Most of my day consisted of fetching water and boiling it! I carried water across the street to my house and had to have a neighbor help me because it was so heavy! 

Though I didn’t choose joy as often as I had wished I would have, I did see so much power in prayer and so much goodness in the power of community as our street, neighborhood and community at large rallied to help those in need! It was amazing! There is so much power in community and I know together, each of our contributions to Give Amore, is truly making a difference! 

Please read these 3 articles for just a glimpse at what we can do for our global community when we pull our resources and use them to impact lives so others can  THRIVE! 

May God Bless You and Keep You Safe,

Christa Horst

Pamela Vicente’s well of wellness

Well #26 is flowing and blessing many!

Emirere village was known for its sprawling water shortages and common waterborne infections but pertinently it is brimming with clean water courtesy of Give Amore’s 26th well. The beneficiaries are ecstatic and thrilled by their new gift after ages of lack all thanks to your thoughtful giving.

So what makes this well paramount in the lives of this community? Firstly, in a village of tens of families, this new baby will cut down on their time spent wandering far and wide in search of clean water. Secondly, the time saved will be invested in improving the lives of locals economically. Further, more children will spend their much needed time in school and at play and so much more.

The well is strategically located at Moses’ homestead and throughout its life of service, will remain open to the village and the larger community to draw from. Consequently, it is worth noting that well number twenty-seven is fully funded and soon its sinking will take course. 

Harriet Flying High

Harriet thriving with her sewing business after graduating from Give Amore’s sewing school.

Somewhere in Kenya’s western province, Harriet, a cheerful, hearty woman is basking in the beauty of her hard work that keeps yielding every day.  This resilient woman, 33, gave her all in our free tailoring school and successfully completed, an effort that got her where she is now.

Instantaneously after her graduation from the program, she hit the ground running and started her home tailoring shop something that she is marvelled at and proud of. Speaking to her, she asserted how her gifts of knowledge, skill, and equipment changed her life immensely in many ways she never thought of. 

Living in a low lying remote village, she used to worry about her tomorrow but now from her small living room, shines beams of hope, possibility and determination that she positively embraces to propel her into the future. Her passion led her to major on women and children clothes and all round repairs. 

Leaping into a Bright Future

Emily picking up her monthly supplies prior to her season of testing for graduation!

Via your continued support over the years, our 12th graders will be graduating from high school in a fortnight! With amore, we say a big Thank You! Emily, Eveline, Grace and Frida are due to sit their final national tests, a huge element of their viability for college scholarships. 

For over a decade you have natured and watched them grow into beautiful young people that they are and as their stewards, all we can do is support and dwell with them in prayer as they take this huge step in their lives, a milestone that will usher them towards their dreams.

They begin their tests in soon and with that in mind, we pray for good health and courage through the entire vital inevitable process. 

A Tidal Wave of Love

Dear Partners,

We are embarking on our 7th year of ministry in Kenya! Who could have ever imagined when God gave me a vision to help my brothers and sisters across the globe over 10 years ago that we would be here! It started with purchasing chairs for the Cornerstone School. That’s it! That was how God works. Don’t ever underestimate the power we have to make a difference when we follow God’s prompting! 

2020 was a crazy year for us all. It was no different in Kenya. But, we are resilient and God is good and we made it through to a new year. School has resumed in person and all of our children just received much needed school supplies, shoes, uniforms and more! We’ve also added a few new students to our program! We finished 2020 with 25 clean water wells (and a huge clean water project-sanitation stations in over 50 communities), our sewing program graduating over a dozen students and a few jigger clinics! 

As we head into 2021, we have funds for 2 clean water wells that will be starting soon! We have students graduating from our sewing program in March and April and all of our children are funded! Our biggest need currently is in general donations to cover miscellaneous expenses (motorbike repair/maintenance, medical expenses as they come up, supplies, facility repairs, etc.) and any future jigger clinics. Please pray that God will continue to provide through the generosity of His people! He gave me a vision of 100 clean water wells and I know He will see it through! 

We appreciate your faithful support whether you are a new partner or if you have been with us from the beginning. It’s incredible to see how when we come together our ripple effect is a tidal wave! When we all do what we can, God uses it and multiplies it! As I always say, it’s an honor and privilege to have a front row seat to this. Thank you for your trust and partnership!

Your Sister in Christ,

Christa Horst 

It is Back to School in Kenya

With the dawn of the New Year, it is back to school for all learners in Kenya and despite the ragging pandemic world over, the government has carefully crafted a return to school plan to help protect the students against Covid 19 both while at home and school.

Josephine, as well as all our sponsored children is excited to resume learning after months of staying home due to the global pandemic that led to all schools closing indefinitely. Also given that Kenya has no homeschooling plan in its education system, there is no way she could have kept up with her syllabus. 

Armed with books, stationery, full school uniform, and more, Josephine is ecstatic and eager to go back to school, meet her peers and dig in, in the buffet of education she so missed.  We pray for their safety!

A 25th Solution to Water Problems in Kenya

 Well #25 is completed, commissioned and is now serving the community around it. Clean water is hard to come by in western Kenya and thus it is not lost on us to acknowledge your vital role in helping to get us at this point in our mission. Thank you for your dedicated support! 

The well is strategically located at Gizel and Khalid’s home and open to everyone who would wish to draw from it. Our mission over the years has been to rid western Kenya of water scarcity and waterborne diseases and our efforts are greatly paying off.

In rural Kenya, most households have snags accessing clean safe water for consumption leaving them to long treks in search for this precious item in unsafe open water sources. Therefore, this well boosts our essential objective of helping eradicate waterborne diseases while easing access to clean safe water.

As the year begins, we cannot wait to see what 2021 has in store for all of us.

An Ever Blossoming Family

Moses W. is now part of our ever growing family of love coming in at a paramount time that schools are reopening in Kenya after a long stay at home courtesy of lack of school fees as well as the global pandemic. This is an exhilarating second shot at education for him. 

As a welcoming gift, he received a set of new clothes, undergarments, household utensils, full school uniform, and books among other school items. 

Moses was abandoned by his mother for another marriage when he was little and his father remains unknown to date. His frail grandmother took up the parental arms and has since looked after him, his sister and four cousins.

His granny does menial work in people’s farms for less than a dollar wage and at times even begs just to feed her grandchildren. Therefore, this is a huge blessing nay breakthrough for Moses and we wish him all the best as we help shape a brighter future for him.

Let it Be Christmas

It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you…yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. –Mother Teresa

Dearest Partners,

 As we wrap up an unprecedented year, it was so wonderful to wrap it up with a beautiful Christmas party with everyone together in Kenya! When so much has felt out of our control this year, to realize that we have the power to help our brothers and sisters across the globe is unreal.  We have the power to change lives and use our gifts and talents and our time and treasures without ever leaving the comforts and safety of our homes! What a blessing! 

Just a few of the year-end blessings are as follows:

·      Every child in our sponsorship program received a new outfit for Christmas!

·      Every child in our sponsorship program and their guardian families received a DOUBLE portion of monthly food provision!

·      Everyone associated with our Give Amore programs (staff, sewing students, computer training students, children, guardians, well workers and more) was able to enjoy a rare buffet meal with their fill of rare treats-chicken and chapati to name a few!

·      Clean water well #25 just hit water and will be ready to bless another community very soon!

·      Clean water well  #26 is funded for the New Year!

·      Our Made with Amore sewing program is fully funded through April 2021 despite not having any tote bags to sell!

·      And so much more!

When we reflect on all the ways God has provided, especially during an extremely challenging season, it astounds me. It strengthens my faith and should strengthen yours! We’ve all just been obedient to His calling on our hearts and He works it all out. When so much feels out of control, He reminds us He’s still in control! 

What an absolute privilege it is for me to head into 2021 strengthened in my faith, strengthened in my resolve to continue being obedient to God’s calling for me to lead Give Amore and His mission to use us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank you for joining us and supporting this monumental effort. Together we really are giving hope, giving joy and giving love!

And the angel said unto them,  “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Give Amore Team!

Another Gift that Keeps on Giving

Currently in progress in the Give Amore’s list of projects is a well whose sinking has begun and should be completed soon. The well is strategically located at Gizel and Khalid’s home and brings the total number of wells dug across western Kenya to twenty five.

Clean water well #25 is under construction! WOW!

Being a dry season in the country, clean safe water is hard to come by in rural areas hence women and children have to traverse far and wide in search of this precious commodity, hence, much needed help is on the way via this project for tens of families. 

With the dawn of a new year, we hope to launch a well that will leave a mark of satisfaction, joy and community in the lives of its beneficiaries. Plus it is not lost on us that its role in fighting Covid 19 is fundamental and much anticipated.

More Love through Christmas

Christmas came early and big to our sponsored children and the good news is, it was one impactful gifting ceremony all made possible by your hearty giving. The gifts included double portions of food and toiletries, clothes and a party that left quite an impression.

With the pandemic’s pangs raging and many families economically destitute, this life saving intervention not only provided necessary provision, but also revived the much needed Christmas spirit in all of us given that 2020 is a tough year. 

Clothes are a huge deal in African Christmases given that they represent newness and assert the feeling of care and love especially in children given that hardly do they get such attention and this did just that, Thank you. 

More Reasons to Be Thankful

Thanks to Valery’s sponsors she’s been able to have to rare opportunity to continue her education and will become a teacher!

Valery is soon set to be a teacher and start giving back to the society as an elementary school educator, a passion she has held close since her childhood days. According to her, her love for children shaped her interests and she hopes to give the profession her all.

Having grown right before our eyes, she has blossomed into a beautiful modern woman with a knack for benevolence and charity. Speaking to her, she is thankful of how far she has come and hopes to be a better teacher and mentor to many who look up to her.

By educating girls, not only do you empower an individual, but the entire community.  While exuding great excitement, she is prepared to take on the next chapter of her life. We wish her all the best.

Attitude of Gratitude Especially During this Challenging Year

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. ”

— Proverbs 11:25

Dearest Partners,

May I start with wishing each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are so grateful for you and your commitment to help us be the hands and feet of Jesus to our brothers and sisters around the globe. We could not do what we do without your support and we are forever grateful.

I’ve learned the best gifts are not bought in a store! The best gifts are helping and serving others. Those are better than any jelly of the month club. The joy we receive from helping someone else is amplified 10X. By giving, we transform from reservoirs to rivers allowing love, joy and hope to flow from us into others! It’s a beautiful process!

This Christmas season, we have an opportunity to expand our river. We have a remaining need of $2050 in order to provide the children in our program a new outfit and a Christmas meal. Would you please consider donating any amount toward this? We can provide you with a gift certificate you can mail/wrap if you’d like to make a donation in someone’s name/honor. We have tote bags available for sale online and soon we will have limited edition face masks made from beautiful African fabrics!

Here’s some pricing if you’d like to consider gifting any of these items:

• A Clean Water Well-$2500 (serves hundreds of people clean water for years to come)

• Sponsor a child-$600/$1200 per year ($600 provides food, education, school uniforms, supplies, hygiene items and more to an elementary aged child. $1200 provides the same for a high school student)

• $1500 provides a jigger clinic to a school/community that includes treatment, prevention and new shoes for dozens of people

• $400 provides an adult 6-month tailoring school, a sewing machine and tools upon their graduation and fabrics to make their own outfit

• Our wish list for other items is available here: http://www.giveamore.org/wish-list

As always, we thank you for your support and can’t wait to see how God provides for each of you and our family across the globe this Christmas season!

God bless,

Christa Horst

Give Amore Founding Director

Back Together!

 With no government initiated stimulus package nay plan in taking care of the overly deprived in Kenya during these Covid-19 trying times, your contribution towards providing food among other vital supplies  is keeping tens of families fed and alive. 

 Socially distanced, this month our beneficiaries gathered to receive their monthly food supplements in person at our community resource center as opposed to our recent past’s door to door home delivery. 

Further, our dedicated team continued to emphasize the need to wear masks at all times and frequent washing of hands with soap especially at this crucial time that is witnessing an exponential surge of infections worldwide.

The most incredible take away from the celebration was of how well aware and informed our children were about Covid-19, something that comes in handy in this great fight against an invisible enemy. 

It's Never Too Late to Change the World

2020 has been quite a difficult year but we are super inspired by your unfathomable exhibition of great love that has helped transform many lives to the better. Still, together this festive season, we can give ourselves the best gift of giving.

Our immediate goal is to gift each child in our sponsorship program with new clothes, a special Christmas meal and other essential supplies that will go a long way in enhancing their lives.

Therefore, via www.giveamore.org/donate  we can serve better in the lives of our brothers and sisters who long for a beautiful day of hope, joy and love in Kenya.

Kindness is the perfect picture of a world we believe in and through the example of your compassion, we are certain today and many others to come will be just as beautiful.

What Are You Thankful For?

Emmanuel has greatly transformed since joining Give Amore and we are proud of the man he is becoming. The following is an edited copy of a letter to his sponsors exuding hearty gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!

“Dear Sponsor,

I hope you are doing well! 

I am so happy to write to you today.  How is your family during this pandemic? Are schools open there? In Kenya Covid -19 cases are on the rise and schools are partially open.

I feel sad that we recently lost Brian, one of us, but am glad he rests in eternal peace.

I am thankful for you and your support and may God bless you!

Yours,

Emmanuel” 

A Rollercoaster of Emotions

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4:6-7

Partners,

My words seem to be failing me as I try to update you on so much that is going on with our ministry. Our highs have been so high! We’ve resumed our sewing program and have students graduating! We’ve finished another well (5 clean water projects so far this year)! Schools are resuming and life is slowly returning to a “new normal”. Praise God! But our lows have been incredibly low. We’ve suffered our greatest tragedy yet with the unexpected loss of one of our precious children, Brian, last month. Most of the Give Amore team members have also lost close family members in the past few weeks so we are all grieving the loss of these souls on earth with us. However, we rejoice with knowing Brian, and others that have passed, knew Jesus and we know we will be reunited as if no time has passed.

When it comes to the loss of Brian, God really put it on my heart that though his life was short he knew he was loved, special and chosen. He had hope! He had joy! He knew he was special to be a part of our Give Amore program and saw so many people around him be the hands and feet of Jesus to him. Though he was without a father on earth, he KNEW his heavenly father.  What a gift!!!!

I am fiercely determined to continue to do what we can with our sponsorship program! We need MORE people to join us! We have lost some sponsors and our donations are suffering in the wake of COVID hhough the needs have increased. We need to raise $2000 immediately as the children are all needing additional supplies for safety reasons as schools resume-masks, sanitizer, personal products (not sharing as they have in the past) and more! The team let me know this just yesterday and my heart sank in fear that we can’t provide this. But, I’m trusting God and I get to be their voice and ask on their behalf.

Please help us spread the word about what we are doing! 

• If you are able, please consider making a one-time donation in any amount toward this. 

• Please like and share our posts on social media. 

• Please ask your friends and family to help us.

• Please ask your church, your businesses and any organizations you know to support us! There are often employer match programs available!

Though I worry, I trust. God has not failed us yet. 

Thank you for sharing our joys and our heartaches with us. Though the work is hard, the investment and pay-off is so worth it!

Trusting in Christ,

Christa Horst

Give Amore Founding Director 

Commissioning our 24th Well

The community celebrates clean water-a necessity denied to most Kenyans!

Give Amore’s 24th well is complete, commissioned and already serving its worthy beneficiaries with unlimited supply of clean water for their domestic needs. The well located at Emmanuel’s home has a vital responsibility of taking care of tens of families in its village and beyond. 

During its inauguration, the ecstatic multitude present was brimming with appreciation and contentment terming this venture a blessing, timely and most appropriate. 

Just like its predecessors this borehole is a special significance of hope, joy and love that God desires to be reverberated throughout the world among all mankind. Further, it suffices as the most viable in its jurisdiction as the only dependable avenue in the fight against Covid 19 due to its consistent reliable supply of clean water for all.