This evening, my wallet was stolen on a matatu on my way from Thika to Nairobi. A very large amount of cash was stolen, along with travel documents and credit cards. However, I am not too hung up on the monetary loss - I now have some obstacles on sponsoring a child I have met here in my work in an orphanage.

The child I was planning on sponsoring is the sweetest, happiest and most cheerful lil gal I have had the pleasure of knowing. Within 5 minutes of knowing her, she will hug you, grab your hand, and make sure you feel loved. This beautiful lil soul is almost 7 years old, but is smaller than the average 4 year old due to nutritional struggles here in Kenya. She was abandoned as an infant, and has lived at Destiny Home her entire life. Although she has had challenges, she makes every day an adventure, finds fun in just about everything (especially trash on the road, and 'tasty' old bottles of eye drops - yikes), and has more love in her heart than anyone I have ever met. She is currently ill, and there is no money left in the home's account to pay for her medication. This is my first priority, my next is to pay for her education.

I want to thank you so much for all of those who reached out to me after what happened today. After one of the scariest days I've ever had, I was very lucky to have wonderful people to guide me in figuring out what to do. However, the cash that was taken cannot be recovered (I don't usually travel with that much cash - I had it on me to pay for something). This morning before everything was stolen, I told my parents and the 'orphanage mother' I worked at earlier in my trip that I was interested in sponsoring a child I worked with who really truly needs it. Unfortunately, I will no longer be able to due to the huge loss of money. In order to keep this hope alive, I set up a GoFundMe page. Anything would really help (even just $1)! You can donate anonymously as well...for those who tell me you have given, I will send you pictures, the child's story, and maybe even a FaceTime so you can meet them (if the time difference allows). Again, thank you all so much. Deep  down, I feel sympathetic for the person who did this, for they must have really needed the money.


Update #1: ASANTE SANA (thank you in Swahili) to all of those who have helped in reaching $600. The next $400 will be going towards food, blankets and mattresses at the Internally Displaced Persons refugee camp in Gilgil! Hundreds of men, women and children have been relocated to his camp due to the post election violence in 2007. These families have lived in tents since then, and recieve little to no assistance from the government.  Despite being forced out of their homes these families can still smile, laugh, dance, and hope for a better future, which I hope you can help them achieve!