From Cheryl Hermann—

I am a teacher for the Deaf in St. Louis and a new student recently came to my school. He is from Kenya and uses Kenyan Sign Language, KSL.

I am trying to find someone who can converse with him in KSL (so he doesn’t feel so alone), and help us understand his primary language (so we can build upon that). We can SKYPE to help make this happen.

I know there are huge numbers of Deaf Peace Corps Volunteers (current and returned), and I’m hoping to find some help from some of these wonderful people.

If you are interested in helping one student from Kenya find success at school here in the States, please contact me, Cheryl Hermann, at one of my school email addesses: cahermann@ssd.k12.mo.us: chermann@pkwy.k12.mo.us.

Friends of Kenya expresses sympathy in the passing of Wangari Maathai. Her work and dedication have helped improved the lives of people, particularly women and children, not only in Kenya but throughout the world. Her influence in the areas of protecting the environment and in supporting the rights of women extends well beyond the borders of her country.

Many years ago, the Friends of Kenya group that met regularly in Washington, D.C., invited her to come to their dinner meeting and speak about her work when she was visiting the U.S. We were pleased when she accepted our invitation and spoke about her work and about Kenya. Later, when she returned to D.C. and spoke at another venue, we met her there and made her an official member of our group—complete with a Friends of Kenya teeshirt.

We were thrilled when she deservedly was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming a symbol worldwide of what can be accomplished despite hardship and opposition by her own government and others. She is truly a hero.

We remember Wangari with admiration, and, collectively and individually, we will continue to support those issues that were so important to her.

Asante sana, Wangari Maathai, for all you've done. Now be at peace.

This is certainly an exciting year for Peace Corps! Happy 50th Anniversary!

While there have been many celebrations throughout the year and around the world, Peace Corps, the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), and Friends of Kenya are celebrating the Peace Corps’ 50th Anniversary in Washington, D.C., the weekend of September 23–25. Please click on this link if you have not already checked out all that is happening or if you want to register for activities:

http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/resources/peace-corps-50thanniversary/september-events/

Friends of Kenya is looking forward celebrating this very special occasion. We are planning several activities in conjunction with the anniversary weekend and also encourage participation in PC/NPCA activities! (And, by the way, Peace Corps Kenya will celebrate 50 years in Kenya in 2014!) (Click the attached pdf file to read the full letter with activities and schedule.)

Global Girls seeks to hire an agent currently living in Kenya (preferably in Malindi)— a returned Peace Corps volunteer or a Kenyan resident who shares the values and objectives of the Peace Corps—for part-time work, who has an interest in growing with the company.

Global Girls is a three-year-old, U.S.-based company that wholesales Kenyan handicrafts to the U.S. and international markets.

Global Girls’ mission is to empower African women and promote traditional crafts by providing jobs at fair trade wages to Kenyan artisans. (Click title for complete description and contact information.)

Friends of Kenya has suspended grants for projects in Kenya until further notice. FOK has donated more than $50,000 in the last 20 years for local projects throughout Kenya that contributed to a community. The funds for these contributions have come from membership and individual contributions. (Click title for more information and how to contribute to grant funds.)

I am an advisory board member of Education For All Children, a New Hampshire-based, non-profit that basically offers scholarships to Kenyan secondary students who qualify (need, academic achievement, etc.). It was started very recently by a couple from this area who fell in love with Kenya while traveling there. Please see our website.

http://www.educationforallchildren.org/about/

So, the question is, are there any Kenya RPCVs out there who might like to participate as a board member in a purely advisory manner (not that you couldn’t be more involved if you wanted)? If you live in northern New England, even better. (Click title for complete article and contact information.)