Artisans 21-30

Village life can be difficult and arduous at times, yet often it is a wonderful challenge to figure out how to overcome living in a state of poverty. I am beginning to understand how to live above poverty, and I have learned this through the Paper Project. My name is Jacob Rop, I live in the rural village of Ngenyilel in a grass-thatched roof home with no electricity or running water. I began making envelopes in 2000, and, since then, I have been able to have a consistent income to help save for a future family and for my personal development. Thank you for walking this path with me in overcoming poverty!

In the Kalenjin culture, every man is expected to provide for his family, but sometimes it is more difficult than one thinks. My name is Sammy Tarus, and I am married with five children. We live in a grass-thatched roof home with no electricity or running water in the rural village of Emgoin. It has been difficult to bring home enough income for my family to be able to have food at times, which is hard to see. However, through the Paper Project, I am now able to consistently provide for my family. Plus, I am able to buy seeds to grow vegetables to earn another income. Praise God for you as you are helping my family in Kenya!

I used to brew alcohol for the community, and I was very good. However, alcohol has always caused many problems in my life and my family’s life. My name is Francina Nagweya, I have a husband and am a mother of ten children. Now, instead of brewing alcohol, I have accepted Jesus into my heart, joined the Alcoholics Anonymous group in the village of Plateau and am making envelopes for the Paper Project. With the income that I am earning from the Paper Project, I have begun a poultry project, selling the eggs from the chickens. I realize that it is very important that this project continues so I can continue feeding my family and paying for their school fees.

It is so difficult to wake up in the morning and wonder where I am going to get the income for the food that my family needs for that day! This was a struggle that I dealt with every day of my life before the Paper Project began in 2000. My name is Christopher, I am married, and we have eight children. We live in the rural village of Ngenyilel in a mud home with a grass-thatched roof. When I began making envelopes out of recycled paper, my family had a consistent income for the first time in our lives. Now, my children are in school and our basic needs are being met! Praise the Lord for the good things He is doing! Thank you for helping my family and me break the chains of poverty.

When you live in a rural village, there are times when there is no work for you to do, resulting in no food for the family. My name is Peter Tabu, I am married, and we have three children. I am from the Luhya tribe, and live in the village of Chebaiywa. We live in a grass-thatched roofed mud home without electricity, a telephone or running water on a quarter-acre of land. Since I have been making envelopes for the Paper Project, I have been able to pay for the school fees for my children and the basic domestic needs of my family. I wish you could see the smile on my face as I think about the blessings that God has given me. Thank you for the part that you are playing in bringing joy to my life.

My life used to have many problems due to alcohol, but today I am saved and moving forward in my life. My name is Christine Ngetich, I am 45 years old, married and a mother of seven children whose ages range from 14 to 31. I live in a house with a grass-thatched roof without electricity or running water, and I diligently make envelopes for the Paper Project nearly every day. The income that I am earning from the Paper Project has allowed my family to continue to eat every meal, to pay for their school fees and to buy new clothes for my family. When we obey God, he blesses us abundantly. Thank you for your help.

I used to pray every night that God would continue to provide for my family, even when that prayer looked impossible. Through the Paper Project, God has consistently provided the income that my family needs to sustain itself. My name is Milly Tarus, and I am saved! I am 30-years-old, married and have nine children, ranging from two-months-old to 17-years-old. We live in a small hut in the rural village of Chebaiywa where there is no electricity or running water. The Paper Project has been a tremendous blessing to my family and me. Seven of my children are in school, thus it is quite expensive to further their education because of the cost of the school fees. However, through making envelopes, my children are now in school! Also, I am able to buy sugar, soap and clothing to help meet the basic needs of my family. I continue to pray for more knowledge and ideas in moving my family forward and out of poverty. Thank you for your prayers. I praise God for you!