Meet Johnny. Johnny is a street youth participating in FIKISHA’s Program Days. He doesn’t know anything about his family or even how old he is. He started living on the streets when he was a little kid. He also began using drugs then. He sleeps on the streets. He eats from the trash of the streets. He’s never been to school.

FIKISHA is working to change that. We want Johnny to live in a house. We want him to sleep in a comfortable bed. We want him to eat nutritious food and to learn how to write his name. We even want him to have a job one day.

Because we know Johnny is capable of all these things and deserves them.

Johnny has never been late to a rehabilitation session. He likes to draw and is a fantastic dancer!

Street life is for the strong, but the drugs have made Johnny weak. He can’t protect himself against danger and some of his friends have already been killed. This is why we’re looking into enrolling him in a drug rehabilitation center.

Until then, will you join with us in praying for Johnny? That God will continue to protect him and provide for him as he continues to take steps towards transformation.

Thanks!

For more of Johnny’s story with additional pictures, visit FIKISHA Kenya’s Facebook Page.

On Friday, January 19, Sam Bretzmann, Executive Director of FIKISHA USA, was a featured guest along with Nicholas Kristof on the national broadcast of the Hugh Hewitt Show.

The topic of the hour was the problems of Africa—what they are and what can be done.

Click the link above to read the transcribed interview courtesy of the Hugh Hewitt Show.

Well the surprise celebration was absolutely FANTSTIC! Jingle bells. Christmas carols. And of course, presents! Each street youth received clean clothes and new shoes along with a holiday meal. There were also achievement awards for everyone!

They danced. They sang. They rejoiced in the birth of our Savior- and YOU helped make it happen!

ASANTE SANA!

Decorating the tree

Christmas chicken & chapati

Distributing the Outstanding Achievement in Personal Development awards

Enjoying the gift of new clothes

Merry Christmas!

Reblogged from Fikisha Kenya:

Take your time a letter from one of our street scholars Joseph Issah.

Last week, we began the “A Kawangware Christmas” campaign with the hopes of fundraising the $750 needed for FIKISHA Kenya to host its annual Christmas party. But 3 days before the campaign was supposed to end, we’ve already raised $1,800+— 2.5xs the original amount!!! ASANTE SANA!

All of us at FIKISHA USA and FIKISHA Kenya are blown away by your generosity— especially since the donations keep rolling in! Over the weekend, we brainstormed a joint “FIKISHA Christmas Wish List” based on our needs finishing 2012 and entering 2013.

Check it out!

Christmas Party $750
Laptop $600
Wireless Internet $1,250 $1,000
Justice Conference $200
5 Street Scholarships [1 scholarship = $1,200/yr]

As you can see, we’ve already been able to cross the Christmas party, laptop and the $250 internet installation fee for FIKISHA Kenya along with the justice conference registration cost for FIKISHA USA off the list. Essentially, all that’s left is $1,000 to cover the wireless in Kenya for the year along with scholarships for our 5 newest Street Scholars who will begin school in January.

We’re now asking for 50 different donors to collectively contribute $1,000 AND 5 new scholarships within the next 12 days to help make this the best Christmas yet!

Will you help fulfill our wishes?

If you’re interested in being one of our 50 donors towards a year’s worth of wireless internet for FIKISHA Kenya OR if you’re interested in sponsoring one of our newest Street Scholars for the 2013 school year click here to take the pledge and to learn how to donate.

Thanks again for your unbelievable generosity not only this holiday season but always!

Merry Christmas!

In a few weeks, we’ll all be celebrating Christmas with our family and friends. There will be carols, hot cocoa, stockings, trees and of course, presents! We may even choose to celebrate our Savior’s birth with our church communities.

While our favorite holiday goodies may be missing, our FIKISHA Family will be celebrating Jesus’ entering our world in its own way, with its own traditions in Kenya! Each year FIKISHA Kenya hosts a Christmas party for not only its church community but for the entire Kawangware community. And word on the street is that it’s the highlight of the holiday season!

A Kawangware Christmas is one of those rare, beautiful chances for our street youth to come together to love and be loved by those surrounding them every day. All are welcome to attend the feast and everyone receives a gift. Most people even get a little dressed up as the party is regarded as one of the formal events of the year.

But in order for the party to happen, FIKISHA Kenya needs your help hosting!

We’re asking for 25 different donors to collectively contribute $750 to help make this the greatest Christmas celebration yet! Specifically, we’re seeking…

1 $200 donor + 2 $100 donors + 3 $50 donors + 4 $25 donors + 5 $10 donors + 10 $5 donors = $750

Easy, right?

But here’s the catch, we need to fundraise the entire amount within the next 10 days! We promised to transfer the money to Kenya by December 15th so they have enough time to get everything ready.

Will you help us make it happen?

If you’re interested in becoming one of our 25 donors for A Kawangware Christmas…

1. Visit www.fikisha.org then click “Give Online” at the top right-hand side of the homepage

2. Enter the amount you wish to donate

3. Log-in to PayPal

4. Click on “add special instructions to the seller” and type “Christmas”

5. Review your donation and submit!

Thanks for all you continually do to enable our street youth and their community to reach the necessary steps toward change!

Merry Christmas!

Introducing the official website of FIKISHA USA and FIKISHA Kenya…

Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think!

The site features everything you’ve ever wanted to know about FIKISHA along with downloadable resources of our most recent newsletter and promotional pamphlet. Also, supporting our cause has never been easier with direct links to our PayPal account—just look for the “Give” button!

Boa is the youngest Street Scholar. One year ago, at the age of six, he was a shy, lonesome kid who couldn’t talk normally. We took him to Baby Class to help him catch up with the basics of early childhood learning. The school advised us to take him to a special school because they thought he was dumb. But we knew he was normal, and we had hope in his development. Luckily, he was accepted in school.

Thanks to all who have made this possible for Boa!

We believe in transformation. Thank you to everyone who has been supporting Fikisha. You help to make this possible!

Thank You!

Paul is fully recovered from his drug addiction, having a wonderful time at school, and is in the process of reconnecting with his family members. Three years ago it was a different story. Thanks for your support