My name is Kathy, and I'm Caleb's mom. Caleb loved living in Senegal and had many friends here. One of his closest Senegalese friendships was with Dorcas, the young woman who helps us at the house. She called him "Teacher," and one of my strong memories of them was finding them, day after day, when Caleb came home from school, leaning over the kitchen counter together, as Caleb wrote in her notebook, teaching her English. When word came to her of Caleb's death she fell to the ground wailing; she has held him deeply in her memories ever since.

Right now Dorcas and her family (husband and three children) are facing a very difficult situation. They are being evicted from their apartment along with everyone in the building as major repairs are made - it could be a year before it is habitable again. Their income is small and the only place they have been able to find to move is to the compound of her husband's family. Each family member has a room or two and they share a small open air space as well as a toilet.

Several people have donated so that Dorcas and her husband could build a small "apartment" in the compound. Right now it has walls and a ceiling, but that's it. They have no means to finish it.

This is the 5th anniversary of Caleb's passing. Caleb always wanted to help others - when he turned 8 years old, for example, he told us "he already had enough and he'd like to help someone in Africa instead of getting presents." He loved Dorcas, and I thought helping her to complete her house would be a wonderful way to celebrate his life. We have very rarely raised money for personal friends in the 15 years we've been here. But we feel like this time it seems right.

The money we raise will go to Dorcas and her husband to do the following: finish the walls, add doors and windows and metal burglar protection on the windows, install electricity and water, and finish the floors. If enough funds come in, they would be able to add a room above the very small ones on the ground for two of their children and the two people that live with them. They might even be able to have a personal bathroom and/or kitchen. But we know they would be absolutely thrilled with even the first steps!

In Senegalese culture, the thought is, "it never hurts to ask." Even small amounts when added together can make a huge difference for this family - one that is dear to us and certainly was to Caleb. Thank you for helping us to honor him in any way you can. And today - we encourage you to hug your loved ones and thank your friends for all they do for you!