September 2020

Our urgent move to feed our orphan children trapped by the Pandemic

By government order, all children at Sam's Place had to return to the village where we found them.  They are living with a guardian, usually an elderly grandparent or aunt.  Their parents are deceased.  They are orphans.  These guardians are mostly destitute, and the Pandemic has hit them hard in these isolated villages.  Two months ago we began to provide groceries and supplies so that our children and their guardians would have enough to eat. 

With Simeon Ongiri's help, we have developed a monthly grocery program to deliver a month's worth of food to the guardians who have one of our children in their care during the pandemic.  See the chart below for a list of what is delivered to each family every month.  We need your help, We have created a new "Children in the Village Grocery Project, set to last six months.  Please go to the website, www.samsplacefoundation.org and click on the "Projects" tab and select the Grocery Project.  Please partner with the Foundation as we reach across the globe to minister to our children in villages scattered across the western bush. 

The Grocery Project for Guardian families (see detail below) calls for $3509.41 to be sent to Simeon Ongiri each month for our Guardian families and the Sam's Place orphan who is currently living with them by order of the Kenyan Government.  For the next six months, we need to raise $21,060 to cover the fall and early spring months while our children are living in the villages.

Groceries from Market to Village in August 2020

Groceries from Market to Village in August 2020

Our Children in the Village Grocery Project
Keeping Our Children Safe and Well

Take about three minutes to watch the Grocery Project in action in August 2020 and see how Sam's Place and the Foundation are acting swiftly to make sure that all of our children and their guardians have enough eat every month.  This video contains footage of Simeon and his helpers who are engaged in taking the Grocery Project to each of our children.  Please consider what you can do to join us in the Grocery Project today.

Go to "Projects" tab
Children in the Village Grocery Project
www.samsplacefoundation.org

U.S. EMBASSY NAIROBI

Update on Recent Government of Kenya Actions and Conditions in Kenya:

COVID-19 Information Last updated: 09/1/20

Country-Specific Information:  As of August 31, 2020 there are 34,201 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout Kenya, with 19,893 recovered patients and 577 related deaths.

The cessation of movement order that barred entry into and out of Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera counties lapsed on July 7th.

On August 26 the Kenyan Government announced that the prohibition against social and political gatherings over 15 people is extended for an additional 30 days.

Sales of alcoholic drinks and beverages allowed in licensed hotels with residence facilities. Bars and restaurants found selling alcohol are subject to closure. The closing time for restaurants and eateries was amended from 7pm to 8pm as of August 26th, for the next 30 days.

Places of worship may begin phased re-opening in conformity with applicable guidelines developed by the Inter-Faith Council. As outlined on July 6, guidelines mandate a maximum of one hundred (100) participants allowed at each worship ceremony and must not be more than one hour in duration. In-person worship shall not include congregants under age thirteen (13) years or over fifty-eight (58) or persons with underlying health conditions. Sunday schools and madrassas will remain suspended until further notice. The maximum number of persons permitted to attend funerals and weddings is reviewed upwards to 100, with all in attendance abiding with Ministry of Health Protocols.

On May 16th, movement restrictions were imposed into and out of Kenya through the Kenyan-Tanzania and Kenyan-Somali international borders, with exceptions for cargo vehicles.

Domestic air travel resumed on July 15th under Ministry of Health and Transport guidelines. International flights resumed on August 1st.

According to a July 7 announcement by CS Magoha, basic educational institutions will reopen January 2021. University and colleges may open in September 2020 after meeting strict COVID-19 regulations.

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Please consider receiving future issues of the newsletter via email. Please send your email address to Hannah Hunt at: hannah@samsplacefoundation.org

That's the latest update for now.

Sam's Place Foundation
President
 Dr. Vernon L. Williams

Senior Vice-President
 Raymond Blasigame

Vice President for Vocational Education
Dr. Jerry Drennan

Vice-President for Operations and  Communication
Oliver Hunt

Vice-President for Transition and Child Programs
Hannah Hunt

Managers, Medical and Nursing Services
Andrew Williams, BS, LP, NREMT-P
Tana Overman, RN

Secretary
Mary Elizabeth Purcell

For more information, contact:
Dr. Vernon L. Williams
 1617 Morrow Lane
 Abilene, Texas 79601
vwilliams@samsplacefoundation.org
(325) 280-3399

Sam's Place Foundation has no paid staff.  All officers and staff are volunteers.

Sam’s Place Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To contribute to the ongoing work, contributions can be donated on this website or sent to “Sam’s Place Foundation” at 1617 Morrow Lane, Abilene, TX, 79601.