Nikki Necklace

I am very excited to announce the new Nikki necklace being sold by Jimani Collections. The necklace is a special piece being sold to fund the work I am doing in Nairobi, Kenya. This piece is great to wear or to use as a great gift!

This piece is a brass pendant attached to a gold chain. For more information on the piece or to purchase this piece, see http://jimanicollections.com/products/the-nikki-necklace or email me at nikki@jimanicollections.com

In addition, I am in desperate need of more funding. If you would like to donate to my missionary work in Kenya with Jimani Collections, please click here.

Thank you and God bless!

Jimani Collections

I am happy to say that I have been given new opportunities of work here in Nairobi with Jimani. I am no longer with Judith&James or James127Foundation but am working alongside Jimani Collections, a jewelry business in Nairobi, Kenya. I am excited to officially announce that I am now working fully for Jimani Collections as the operations manager. This means running the operations side of Jimani in Kenya, including management of production, supplies, sales, and employees. I am most excited about developing deeper relationships with the local women who work as employees of Jimani; going beyond just work and becoming a ministry. It is wonderful to see the impact Jimani can make on their lives. What a joy and pleasure to see these smiles!

Patricia, J127 graduate

In my latest post I wrote about our recent jewelry graduates (see previous posting). Last week I went to visit Patricia, another one of the former J127 jewelry graduates. Patricia was rescued from the streets in Nairobi and raised under the organization Made in the Streets (MITS). Later she trained in J127's jewelry program. Patricia was such a willing and able student. Pictured here is Patricia (left) and Beatrice (right).

Now, Patricia is training Beatrice, another girl rescued from the streets. They are both making jewelry for Made in the Streets. Patricia's role is also a mentor to other younger rescued street teenagers in the MITS program. It was such an encouragement to see Patricia making a difference to help other children rescued from the streets. It was neat to see her reaching a greater level of leadership and  responsibility.

Jewelry Graduates

Since the J127 jewelry graduation last month, all five graduates have received jobs. Two have been employed by Jimani Collections, a jewelry company here in Nairobi, Kenya that "aims to empower women through education, innovation, and design." The graduates have been working with Jimani for about a month now. It has been neat for me to see them learn and work with Jimani. Here I am pictured with three of the Jimani employees. Lydiah (on my left) and Ester (on the far right) are the two J127 graduates with Jimani Collections.

Three of the J127 graduates have started their own small co-op jewelry business in the backyard of Grace's house. Veronica, Penina, and Grace pictured on the left are sitting in front of their new business. This group has started working on their first large order of earrings that will be sold in the US.

I am proud of where each of these women are now and can't wait to see what else is in store. Love that they are all using the skills they learned in the training program. I look forward to continue following up with each of them in the near future. 

Jewelry Graduation

This month we at James 127 Foundation graduated our first jewelry training program! It was a wonderful time of celebrating all the graduates have accomplished and what they had learned in the past ten months of the class. As most Kenyan graduates go, it was a great time of celebration.

All of the J127, Jimani, and Judith&James women were there to be join the graduation. In addition the families of the graduates came. We had a few speakers including my dad and Anna Taylor, founder of James 127 Foundation. We also had a powerful time of prayer. The graduates danced so free, happier than I have ever seen them before. It gave me so much joy to see. Below is a video of the five graduates dancing. 

I am very excited to see what lies ahead of their futures. My hope is that each of the jewelry graduates can take what they learned in training and use it to make a difference in their lives, families, and communities. They will be missed but I look forward to visiting them after they go. Please pray for these five ladies as they make the transition out of the Kasarani house to find local jewelry work.

Mcedo school expansion

Every year Rosslyn Academy, my former school in Nairobi, does a Christmas Project to bless local ministries in Kenya. This school year, they chose Mcedo school as the main recipient. Mcedo is a school in the Mathare slum that my family and I have worked closely with for the past 8 years. We have seen God mightily bless and provide for this school. Mcedo has a heart for orphans and provides housing and schooling for children that attend the school. They also have very good sports teams, specifically girls soccer team. These athletic teams provide scholarships and education when they otherwise would not be in school.

Rosslyn raised over one million Kenya shillings (around $11,000USD) to go towards expansions in the school. These include building new tables and chairs for the preschool and kindergarten class, building more bathrooms and raising the water tank, repairing the kitchen, and providing water faucets inside the school grounds.

Here is a picture of the assembly when the money was presented to Mcedo as a large check. All the students at Rosslyn gathered together to present the Christmas Project donations. In the middle are Pastor Benedict, the school principal and a few of the Mcedo students who came to perform a dance as a thank you to Rosslyn. Pictured on the right is the Rosslyn Christmas project committee.

I have made several visits to the Mcedo school since they received their money for renovations. Mcedo is now finished with the additions to the school. It has been very neat to physically see where the money has gone and the difference it has made!

On the right are pictures of just a few of the changes. The first picture is a few of the young kids drinking the water out of the new water faucets located outside of the kitchen. Because of this new water installation, Mcedo is now able to have running water accessible inside the school grounds. Previously, students and teachers had to walk outside to retrieve water.

On the bottom right is a picture of the kindergarten classroom with brand new wooden desks and chairs. Those children are so eager to learn and the cutest little students.

A huge thank you to Rosslyn Academy for their large donation of money from their Christmas Project. You made a huge impact on the Mcedo school and in the community of the Mathare slum.

Benson speaking

Yesterday we had Rev. Benson come speak to us about business from a Christian perspective. All the James 127 foundation trainees and teachers, Jimani employees, and Judith & James employees came together to learn. We also invited our Kenya committee members to join us. In addition a few women from the Mathare slum came to join us also. A full house of more than 30 women! It was a great time learning about things like tithing, budgets, and borrowing money. Throughout the whole morning Benson incorporated Scripture into his teaching. He did a great job, speaking mostly in Kiswahili so the women could understand and interacting with them with plenty of discussion questions. At the end of his talk, he gave each of the ladies a Bible. 

I love that not only can we provide training or a job for them but also teach them practical skills they can use. It was especially geared towards the sewing and jewelry students. When they graduate from our training program, we hope they will either find jobs or start their own small businesses using the skills they have learned. I hope teachings such as this one will help them as they look to their future beyond graduation, planning about their future businesses. 

J127 2015 update

Hi all! It's been a while since I've updated my blog but I wanted to share with you an update of the James 127 Foundation training programs from 2015. Both the jewelry and sewing classes have been making a lot of progress these past couple months.

The jewelry class is learning work with metal. They have made many earrings, bracelets, and rings out of aluminum and brass metal. On the right is a picture of the trainees curving the handmade aluminum metal pieces to make a bracelet. 

The sewing trainees completed their basic sewing skills grade III test (their first of three big exams) and finished learning how to make suit jackets. Next, they will be making suit pants and skirts. On the picture to the left is the morning sewing class making their jackets.

Below is a picture of me wearing one of the black jackets the sewing class made. I loved it and wanted to keep it though they said it is too big on me. Penina is also pictured hammering on the brass.

    

Birthday celebrations

I love celebrating birthdays! So a few months ago I decided to have a monthly birthday celebration for all who had a birthday that month. We celebrate on the last Friday of each the month right after lunch. It has been such fun so far! We have a little party with chocolate cake and sodas. Both are very rare for these ladies, such a treat for them! Last week was extra special for the women because they got to celebrate my birthday! Every day that week, the women reminded me that the birthday is coming.

I love it when we sing Happy Birthday. And getting to hear their happy voices singing. I introduced them to our tradition of blowing out candles at the end of the song. They taught me a tradition of taking turns cutting your own cake while everyone sings, "Cut-a, cut-a!"

On the left is a picture of me last week, the October birthday celebration. Judith is cutting the cake, and Mama Morine hands out soda. While I not-so-sneakily steal a little cake.

At the end of September, we celebrated Mama Morine's birthday (pictured on the right). She is our lovely cook and such a joy. Her joy radiates out of her daily. She absolutely loved the party of "cakes and cokes." I am so thankful for her.

August was the first month I started these monthly birthday parties. We celebrated the birthdays of Seline and Alice (pictured below). They are both students in our sewing training programs. We all had a fun time. 

This has been such a fun tradition that all look forward to every month. Looking forward to our next birthday celebration! 

October update

This autumn has brought a new season for me, taking on a greater role to fulfill with more responsibilities. I am currently the only person locally in Kenya representing both James 127 Foundation and Judith & James. In addition, I am representing Jimani Collections as a go-to person.

I am continually thankful for these opportunities and responsibilities this presents. It has kept me busy, even busier than I was previously. I also continue to volunteer in my spare time at local orphanages and slums. Below is a picture of my mom and I in the Kibera slums, one of the largest slum in the world. On the right I am pictures with some of the kids at Mcedo school in the Mathare slum.

 


One of my favorite parts of what I do is continuing to build relationships with the staff, students, and employees at our Kasarani house. Being part of their lives and seeing the difference and change in them. Seeing joy spread through laughter or a smile. While learning jewelry or sewing. Below are some of the sewing and jewelry students.

October 1 Update

Hey sorry all it has been almost 3 months since I have written a blog post. I am now officially working as Judith & James' Production Manager. This means I supervise beginning and end of production. Organizing the clothing production order, finding the fabric/notions, quality checking on products, and packaging/sending products to the US.

As well, I am serving as the James 127 Foundation's Communications Manager. That entails media footage, sponsorship updates, and social media. In addition, I help serve in any needed operational or managerial roles.

Below is a picture of me and the J127 trainees. In the top photo are the 7 jewelry trainees and on the bottom are our 10 sewing trainees.

Fabric Donations

On Monday, I blessed the J127 sewing trainees with lots of fabric, donated to us by some of our generous friends in Arkansas. It was a humbling experience. I distributed pieces of fabric to each of the trainees. None of it was given by me, but I was fortunate to be the messenger, giving it all to them. They thanked ME over and over. 

The sewing training had just completely run out of fabric and teacher Jesca told the students they need to provide their own fabric, when they can’t afford it. Luckily it came with God’s timing. They were so very grateful. It was such a blessing to them. A blessing to receive such a gift and a blessing to give to them who need it.

Following this, each of the sewing trainees were interviewed over receiving fabric. They were ever so grateful for the fabric donations and to our sponsors for the great work they do. Pictured on the bottom are little snapshots of each of the happy ladies. I enjoyed putting a smile on their faces! 

International Widow's Day

Last week, 23 June was International Widow’s day. In honor of that special day, we decided to have a market day. A celebration day for every lady in our Kasarani workshop. The day before, I and three other ladies went to purchase all the huge quantity of fruits and vegetables we were to give the J127, J&J and Jimani women. I am pictured on the right, at the produce market where we bought all of the foods. After, we set up the workshop and displayed the produce to prepare for the next day.

On the actual day, we started off the day with our usual devotions in the morning. Everyone could see there was a special day to be had. During worship, you could tell the ladies danced with all they had in praise. Kesia, a powerful yet humble sister in Christ, shared another wonderful Biblical testimony, preaching about the story of Anna in the Bible. A gifted speaker.

Some of the Go Near team joined us after that. They introduced themselves. Jennifer Mooney on the Go Near team, herself a widow and J127 sponsor, shared deeply from her heart and sang a song for us all. After that, each woman was given a bag to fill up with many fruits and vegetables. We also gave each of them a copy of the Jesus Calling book.

The part of the day that gripped my heart the most was hearing the heart wrenching stories of each of these strong impoverished women, orphans, and widows of Kenya. As we drank chai and ate mandazis together, I couldn’t help but feel moved as each person shared their deepest struggles and how they are overcoming them. It was encouraging to hear they have such thankful attitudes, giving God the glory despite any circumstance.

International Widow’s day is a day I will not easily forget. A blessing it was to these widows and women and an even greater blessing to me to be part of the Lord’s great work.

four of the ladies who shared their story with us 

four of the happy jewelry and sewing trainees after receiving 

their Jesus Calling books and produce 

Anna Taylor and I with the three J&J widows from that day. 

They were all so happy to receive gifts of produce and a special 

word of encouragement from our Go Near friends. 

Judith & James' birthday

This past weekend we celebrated Judith and James' second birthday here in Kenya. It was a party to remember forever. Judith, Kesia, and Domaris have worked so hard these past two years we wanted to appreciate them. Some of them have never been to a party before so it was quite an experience!
I loved getting to celebrate with the ladies outside of the workplace with their families. What wonderful children they all have!

We started off by singing praises to the Lord, the one we thank for leading us to where we are today.
And we all had homemade chocolate cake (three cakes we made the night before) and chips (french fries) and soda. For them all of these things were so special to eat. Throughout the day, many smiles and laughter were seen as everyone was energized on all that sugar!

It was neat to remember how far Judith&James has come and exciting to think where we will be in the coming years to come. We have many things to be thankful for. This was a very special day, one that we will all remember for a long time.

Covenant Group

I had the absolute pleasure of having weekly covenant group meetings with these awesome 6th grade girls this year, alongside Kara Noble my amazing 11th grade leader. It has been a wonderful year getting to hang out with these girls one morning a week. What a pleasure to be part of each of these girl's lives.

It was the perfect start to every Friday morning. Breakfast and covenant group. As the school year comes to a close for them, they are all traveling to America for summer. I will miss them in the coming months but pray blessings upon them until they come back.

Food Purchase in Githurai

Last week I went to the market in Githurai to buy the food products we will need in the Kasarani workshop. This food should provide for the next month’s meals. So we bought in bulk. Tons of potatoes, tomatoes, rice, ugali flour, and beans. Luckily, I went there with Eunice, one of Jimani’s jewelry makers, and Mama Morean, our cook. They both were oh-so-helpful when negotiating the price and finding the best quality produce. This was the first time I had been there so I was very thankful for those two to introduce me to the market. 

Eunice and Mama Morean are pictured here as 

they choose which tomatoes to buy. 

I loved learning how to pick which food items you want in such a large flurry of a market. We wanted to purchase Wairimu beans, but there were three types (see right side of the picture). Mama Morean showed me how she decided on which type of beans we wanted: by putting her hand in the sacks of beans in the photo and feeling for the right texture. Can you guess which one was chosed? Mama Morean decided on the Wairimu Kisii beans, the perfect match.

At the end of the day, we had such a large quantity of stuff that we couldn’t carry it all. Instead, we paid one of the market workers approximately $0.50 (USD) to carry the majority of it (maize, rice, AND produce) on his shoulders to where we needed to go. What a lifesaver! I definitely wouldn't have been able to carry all of that.

What an experience that market was!