An e-mail from Ben

This was forwarded to me from Bernardine in Germany. She manages Ben's scholarship.

hallow Bernadine,please tell Deb that I have got the parcel she gave through Manoa.Tell her iam very happy for it and for the support she has given me.In general Iam just happy for what she has been doing for me,in addition i would also like to thank you for your support.

Thank you may God bless you according to His heavenily riches.

A LONG letter! I love getting letters from Ben!

Letter Received 20 October 2009

I have received your letter and I am very happy to have known you that much. Give my  gratitude to all those who have sacrificed their money for my sake. In the same manner pass my greetings to your family members; your mother, Eric, Ryan, Autumn, Shawn, Joey, Cody, your sisters and all your friends who have heard of me.

At the moment I'm in the college. My first days in college have been challenging since I had never been to such a place and institution and even I have been introduced to new subjects which seem harder but in all I pray and too believe I'll make it. Cooping with people from other tribes has also been an issue in this college. I have also met new friends for example a 'Maasai' brother named Ken Paravian who comes southern part of Kenya. Most of time we find ourselves walking together sharing stores about their bribe and as well as my tribe.

It is surprising that I have not been celebrating my birthday, but anyway I was born 3rd May, 1988.

My Uncle has a family of four children and his wife. My Uncle's name is Saul Mmbaga. He is such a caring and loving man. Although is now old of about seventy . He has struggled to take me to school, as well as his wife who is about sixty. There first born is called Grace Mmbaga who is now married so most of the time she is busy with her family. Then the 2nd born is Steve who is also married and busy with his family. He sometimes shoed concern for me. The 3rd born is Felix is the one I love most among my cousins. He likes football and also a talented one. The last born is Timothy. He's a quiet man these two (Felix and Timothy are not married).

Here in college I have friends. I have decided to choose friends outside our tribe. Ken Paravian who is a Maasai he's a young gentle man of my age who is also sociable and loves God. 2nd I have Caro. She is a Luo. She's such a caring and loving lady. She wants to be with me the time she is free. She's a christian and single minded person.

I feel very happy when making friends and when I realize that people love and have concern for me. I feel happy when I hear people saying that we prayed for you. On contrary, I get sad when I actually sometimes don't make it in some examinations. I feel sad also when a person shouts at me because of the mistake I have done, instead of giving me the required advice.

I have been just a "christian" most of my life but in 2007 I started seriously reading the bible and memorizing scriptures. This was later improved in 2008 when I was helped to go for a discipleship school, where we studied fundamentals of bible and even taught about prayers and how to carry them out.

My peace is always got from the bible and trusted friends.

I am a social person thus I feel happy when I talk to a person and come out in jovial mood. I am also compassionate especially to those in problems. Hardworking is also one of my characters, since I have learned to carry out domestic work including home duties and farm work. 

In addition I have also learned to be humble, that is I don't like considering myself to be first class people. I rather do humble duties found in the countryside.

When I am free I love making friends, traveling and reading the bible. I feel actual joy when I am with children of class 4, 5 and 6 as we hare stories. I am also a lover of football, in English Premier League my best team is Chelsea football Club, therefore when they are playing and win, I feel happy.

In my life I have dreamed of traveling to USA, Canada, or Brazil. My dream of going to Brazil is because of the love of football, I see how they focus themselves to football as a career. In Canada I admire the people how they express themselves linguistically and philosophically. In conclusion, I have also thought of being in Am erica, this because I see how my fellow Africans are doing well here. I also look at the Americans to be focused and determined people.

I choose to be a volunteer teacher at Shiswa because as I had said earlier, my time I like spending with children. At the school I have been helping in social studies, Swahili and also in extra-curricular activities outside class. I also helped teachers in marking pupils work and supervise manual work.

This is my little story about how I decided to choose drama. When I joined High School I happen to join football club of school in 2004. Football involved a lot of physical exercises early in the morning. I ran until I could remove my tongue like a thirsty dog. It was very involving I did not find joy in this exercises. As a result when I went home in the evening I could take the biggest share of food. Consequently I had to take another step. Here after, I gave up in football and later joined drama.

I successfully joined drama club in which there were various items e.g. choral verses, solo verses, narratives, plays and dramatized dance. The drama exercises were hard but I found joy in doing them. I found interest and ease in dramatic items. It's through drama that I have had the opportunity to travel to parts of our province although not across Kenya nor East Africa. I remember in 2007 I represented our school at provincial level where my school got a certificate. Drama has developed confidence to talk to you.

I truly thank God for having brought you up to Africa and have a chance to come to our school. Then luckily enough I was spotted. Praise be to God that whatever I thought to be a dream comes to reality.

Ben Mmbaga

P.O. Box

Bungoma

Kenya

$515 before we hit our tuition goal!

Thank you everyone for your love and support of a boy you have never met. Benson is a remarkable man and with your help he has been given the opportunity to have an education and serve as a teacher. This is his dream! He is so grateful for the miracle that has come to him. I am so grateful for good friends who have partnered with me to make this happen.

We are only 

$515

away from our 

$3000 goal!

This is wonderful!!!

New Sponsor

Jolynn Collins, a wonderful and warm-hearted woman ... my mother ... has become Benson's latest sponsor. Thanks Granny. You have always opened your arms to so many and they call you mom and grandma with the deepest of affection. 

Picture: Jolynn and her two granddaughters, Heidi Jackson and Megan Zonts

Kirby and Deb

Thanks Kirby and Debbie Zenger!

We feel so grateful and humbled to receive help from so many marvelous friends. Benson is in school enjoying the opportunity of an education. I will be sending him a package on the next Quiet Way trip (Oct. 16). He LOVES packages ... as you can imagine. I am sending him some disposable cameras so we can get more pictures. Stay tuned ... It will be wonderful to get a progress report.

A Family That Gives

The Wahlstrom family has been suffering for quite some time as their son fights to keep a kidney that their daughter donated. In all this trauma, they took the time to write a check for a boy in need .... half way around the world. Thank you for becoming one of Ben's sponsors, and for your example and kindness.

Norman and Margaret Wahlstrom

A Lanz Sponsor

Guess what?

David and Alicia Lanz have donated to Ben's cause. Thank you both so much for becoming one of Ben's sponsors!

Four New Sponsors take us over the half way point!

With the addition of these 4 new sponsors ... amazing and generous I might add ... we have pushed past the half way point of our goal -- to raise $3000 for Ben's full tuition.

Mike and Sue Gillespie

Mike Gillespie (we'll get a pic with Sue)

Scott and Marsha Smith

Scott Smith (we'll get a picture with Marsha)

The Ashton Family Foundation

Alan and Karen Ashton

Clay and Tammy Frandsen

--- picture coming ---

Words cannot express the gratitude we feel as you have given so generously to a boy you do not even know. May God bless you all for your gift.

Holy Smokes!

Dave and Randi Powell just became Ben's newest sponsors. Thank you so much for your generous donation!

Pictures ... Ben's first day of college

We are so happy for you Ben!

A text from Ben

TEXT

In response to my text on the first day of school, wishing Ben good luck, he sent me one back this morning ... so sweet.

"Thanks Deb 4 fees. I'm in a pool of joy to feel the motherly love from you. God bless."

Oh my heart. Look what we're doing everyone?! Is this not worth the effort?

Ben is in school

Ben started school on September 2, 2009 and is very happy. He is overwhelmed by this opportunity and expresses his gratitude to all of you for your help. He is enrolled at the Bungoma Teachers College, about 100km from Kakamega, Kenya.

2 New Sponsors!

Well, we've added two new sponsors for Ben ...

Don and Judy Harvie and Elise Mackay

Thanks SO SO SO much! 

Every penny helps.

A letter from Ben!

"... after I have gained the certificate in teaching I’ll be able to change the life of some of the God’s people in our village and at large provide service; Matthew 20:26; If you want to be great, be a servant." 

Letter Received September 1, 2009 

Dear Deb,

It’s my desire that you are fine.

 

I am also fine. First may I pass my thanks to you for everything that was in the box of the parcel. I am happy for the goodies. May I bring to your attention that I am happy to feel loved and associated with you and your family as a whole.

 

I have the following: I was raised to this earth by a father named Enoch Mmbaga and mother named Oliview Mmbaga, who unfortunately died in 1994 and 1995 respectively. When all this bad scenes happened I was quite young. But I counted it as luck when my uncle took me and stayed with me. By the way I also had a sister who died just after the father. I’m just without any biological brother. Now sister. It’s painful!

 

My Uncle struggles to grow maize (corn) in his farm. After harvesting we carry it on a bicycle to take to the school as school fees. This is how my uncle ensured that I have gone to school. Not forgetting the bursary that comes from the government to support the poor and orphan. To add on, when my parents died I didn’t have any other house to stay in. Most of my life was with my uncle’s family. His name is Saul Mmbaga. He’s very loving, although he retired even before I had started going to school. Since he’s the first born of my father (that is he’s older than my father).

 

I always feel the joy and love of my Savior when I see God make me pass through some of the life challenges like poverty, education, HIV, lack of finance, food, clothing among other challenges. But I believe and have hope that when a person is educated he/she can be able to face life challenges from a good angle (look). That is why I am choosing to study education. This brings me to my ambition; one, is to study education up to the high level (master degree); two, study chemistry at a high level. Next either to fly to abroad for advancing my education and traveling.

 

My hope lies in God that all these are possible for He made a way where seemed not to lie a way for the people of Israel. He’s the same God we are serving to date.

 

Currently I am doing voluntary teaching at Shiswa Primary School as untrained teacher. I like teaching because dealing with children is much interesting.

 

My hobbies are traveling, singing, listening or reading, cartoons, movies and riding on a bicycle. Co-curricular activities; football, basketball and volleyball together with drama.

 

The college intake is just in September 02, 2009. I’ll attach my college form on this letter.

 

I’ll like to tell you that after I have gained the certificate in teaching I’ll be able to change the life of some of the God’s people in our village and at large provide service; Matthew 20:26; If you want to be great, be a servant.

 

In conclusion, I’ll like to thank Eric for moral support and love. Together with Shawn and Cody for letters, not forgetting Lori Wells. Deb, I am seeing the love your family is showing. I am very happy. I’ll also like to thank Bernardine and Manoa. May God bless you with length of days, fatness of earth and dew of heaven. Live to a sign, wonder, a star and a proverb. All ‘Quiet Way’ people, thank you in advance. Please Americans, help, I plead. Bye.

Pass my greetings to Ryan.

 

Ben Mmbaga

Box 1456

Kakamega

Kenya

 

 

We're so close!

Through a $1000 loan from Quiet Way, we are able to get Ben into college. Due to our four first sponsors, we have raised $245.00 thus far. We have a total of $3000 to raise in order for Ben to attend school for two years and obtain a teaching certificate. 

Thank you so much for becoming a sponsor and helping out. We are so grateful!

We welcome our first four sponsors:

Leslie Mclean

Sally Gross

Jerry & Laura Tebbs

Tosha Walker

We'd like to introduce you to Ben

Meet Benson Mmbaga.  Benson is an ambitious 21-year-old man.  He enjoys singing, acting, drama, dancing and football.  He is also a teacher’s aid at Shiswa Primary School in Kakamega, Kenya.

 

Orphaned at 6 years old, Benson attended primary school while in foster care, and continued on through the educational system until he came to the point where his education was no longer free.  He deeply desires to finish his studies in teaching (with an emphasis in chemistry).  One thing stands in Benson’s way — it’s not his desire, it’s not his intelligence, it’s not his willingness. 

 

$3000, college tuition, is the barrier to Benson’s ambition.

 

We intend to raise $1000 by August 24, 2009 and another $2000 to help him complete this two-year degree. 

 

If you are interested in supporting Benson’s higher education, please donate whatever amount you can.

 

Donations can be made by check (to In Our Own Quiet Way), or credit card (at http://www.quietway.org/donate.html).  Please

include in your comments or memo that your donation is for Benson Mmbaga’s scholarship. If you want updates, include your email address and visit www.bensonmmbaga.blogspot.com for updates.

 

For further information, please contact the Quiet Way Foundation www.quietway.org or Deb Dowdle at farmerdowdle@smartfella.com.

First Goal!

Once the simplest of necessities are received, the soul yearns for more ... for learning, for experience, for adventure! Together we can make Ben's dream a reality.

We must raise $1000 by August 25, 2009

This will enable Ben to start school September 2

Please send your contributions to the Quiet Way Foundation

click here!

Together -- let's create a miracle for Ben!

The purpose of this blog is to raise funds to send Benson to college and to follow his progress over the next few years. Join us in making a difference in the life of this remarkable man.

Eric and Deb Dowdle met Benson Mmbaga on their trip to Africa in April 2009. They had joined a Foundation called In Our Own Quiet Way and were privileged to work side-by-side with this marvelous organization as they served the Kakamega Village of Kenya. In ten short days, the foundation unloaded containers full of medical supplies to a very grateful hospital (partnering with a medical foundation called HART). They also distributed school supplies to more than five needy schools. They served the community by digging much-needed wells, empowering the women of the community into industry and bringing food to areas were famine was prevalent. They also met with the Vice President of Kenya in an effort to receive assistance in getting food and other supplies through some difficult hurdles.

It was on a special trip to one of these schools, Shiswa Primary School (75% orphans), that the Dowdles met Ben. As an activities director for the school, he had gathered together the boys and girls to demonstrate for their guests the sports they loved so much - "football" and volleyball. Eric was instantly in the middle of the boys, kicking the ball and challenging them to foot races (which ended as any American who had raced a Kenyan could predict). Deb pulled Ben aside and started a conversation. In less than a minute, she was able to detect in this boy a drive and spark that created an immediate bond. 

After returning to the States, the Dowdles continued to think of Ben and soon decided to join forces with Quiet Way -- who were currently supporting a number of Kenyans through scholarships, to raise funds to send Ben to college. They would work through the foundation as well as their Kenya partner who managed the scholarships, a marvelous woman named Bernardine Anatalia. 

Bernardine contacted Ben, Ben jumped up and down at the prospect of an education, and the ball started rolling forward.

Through the small sacrifices of good friends and family, one good man will be educated, and the ripple effect will be immeasurable.

It is Benson's dream to one day come to the United States as an educated man. With this education, he will one day see this dream become a reality. 

But the dream has just started ... 

and Ben will do far more than that!

We welcome you to be a part of this dream and to watch Ben's progress with us.

To contribute to the Benson Mmbaga Education Fund

CLICK HERE

or contact ...

Crystal Miller, General Manager, Quiet Way

ph: 801.669.7583
fax: 801.701.0091
info@inourownquietway.org

Bernadine Anatalia Angalusha

Scholarships

ph: 254738691256
anatalia23@yahoo.com

Eric and Deb Dowdle, family sponsor

farmerdowdle@smartfella.com

www.dowdlefolkart.com