Child Focus Africa | ||
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Evolution of the
Migwani Children's Project - by Jim Senka
I was originally contacted in December 2007 by Paul Kenya of Child Focus Africa (they are a small group based in Migwani - see the proposal). Paul was looking for donations for the dormitory at the time and had heard of my fund-raiser coffeehouse (put on every Christmas in Smithers, called the Joe L'Orsa Charity Coffeehouse). When I read Paul’s proposal, I was struck by the plight of the children described to me - shunned / cursed, handicapped (mental, physical, or HIC aides). The photos are also very touching. Despite all my sympathy, I naturally had to be cautious. I actually researched how to detect scams on the web and nothing that CFA has done rings any alarms or meets any of the criteria listed. On the contrary, all of our discussions over the past nine months show nothing but sincerity. On a personal level, I started thinking strongly about helping people who are really in need when I took over the Joe L’Orsa coffeehouse. Joe asked me to run the annual coffeehouse just before he passed away. Because Joe was a fellow socialist and a very kind person, I thought he would like it if I gave the money from the coffeehouse to the most needy people I could find - which is what I have been doing for the past 11 years (usually to such organizations as the Salvation Army and the local soup kitchens). To take this thinking a step further - I have been thinking more and more that before we check out of this life we, want to look back and be able to say that we have done positive things for our fellow human beings who aren't as fortunate as us (with no strings attached, since I’m not religious). What I saw in this project is a wonderful opportunity to do a simple, pure act of charity for children who are about as needy as a child can get. What a good feeling that is (or will be)! Paul was in Prince George for a while and was going to try to get to Smithers, but he got a contract with an NGO in Rwanda and had to go there. His wife, Cherie Siggelkow, has now gone there to join him. She is from Prince George. They met in Kenya when Cherie worked there (7 yrs). When Paul went to Rwanda, he put me in touch with Bonface Beti who lives in Migwani. He works with school children there and is a member of Child Focus Africa. He’s a very delightful and caring person by the tone of his correspondence. CFA is going to coordinate the building of the dormitory and also has lined up volunteer workers and volunteers to teach the children the life skills (all this is in the proposal). Paul sill corresponds with me but has been very busy with his project. I get the sense that both Paul and Bonface have to borrow computers to do their e-mail. I went on a long search for an NGO that could help us with channeling our funds. We needed one based in Migwani, but it appears that none exist. I spoke with a friend who is a doctor (one of the Lester family) in Kenya working with an HIV aides program. He couldn't find anyone in Migwani, but he's been acting as a bit of a resource re advice, etc. He also cautioned me re scams - but it was nothing new. I talked to CIDA – they can't help us with money or funneling. I talked to a few more organizations, too, with no luck. I wanted to leave religion out of the picture, but it finally became very clear that our best and possibly only hope was to approach the Catholic Church for suggestions. I met with local parish priest, Father Rectorino, for advice. He suggested contacting an organization called Development and Peace which is an international emergency relief organization based within the church (also referred to as Caritas - one comes under the other; not sure how that sorts out). I phoned Development & Peace in Toronto, and they put me in touch with their organization in Kenya. I've been corresponding with it and explained the whole story. They recommended that we have the Parish Priest in Migwani control the funds. This made a lot of sense, and when I explained this to Paul and Bonface they had no problem at all. Paul’s comment was, "That’s fine. It doesn’t matter to me as long as the building gets put up." I'll forward you some of the correspondence I've had with development and peace and Child Focus Africa (but only if you want). Ultimately, I can put Green Solutions in direct touch with Child Focus Africa if they wish to discuss what they want to do. A last note – I fully understand the need to be cautious on these matters. I’ve gone through a lot of correspondence and research to determine who Paul Kenya, Bonface Beti, as well as Development and Peace, etc.) are. I’ve come to realize that there comes a point where you can (and have to) simply trust people in order to get a good project like this completed. It’s hard to say what absolute proof of legitimacy is; for example, the Rotary Club told me about one of its chapters raising money for a project in Russia, managed by a Rotary Club there, only to have it disappear within the Rotary Club in Russia. I hope the above helps folks to understand the sincerity of what we’re trying to accomplish. Cheers, Jim Senka |
 
Thank you to the above sponsors who's support has helped make this project a success! |
