At our November 14 meeting Cheryl Kirby-Stokes shared photos of her trip this summer to rural Kenya. She brought large folders for each member with documentation and photos of her work. In addition she brought a large number of beautiful baskets made in that area. This is her sixth year to make this trip with her husband Mike as a cooperation between WKU and the University of Nairobi. They have worked out a plan with seven village cooperatives to bring back as many baskets as they can in their luggage to market here between $15 and $70 and return the money to the women who made them. Our club sent $2400 with Cheryl who used those funds to assist 16 young people to continue their high school education. Schooling is free through the seventh grade. Many high schoolers have to board because of the very poor transportation in the area. Tuition and board averages $400 a year which is the average annual family income. I was struck by how beautiful the children are and how backward the countryside is. There is no electricity in the villages, no paved roads, no running water. Cheryl and her entourage live in tents in the African bush for three weeks. They sleep amongst scorpions and wilde beasties of all sorts. Amazingly with further assistance Cheryl is willing to go back again in the summer of 2008. She brought many of the baskets with her and sold several at our meeting to members. I'm certain she would be glad to sell more of those she has remaining. She can be reached at (270) 782-0653 or cheryl@alivebg.org Vickie Elrod said they would make great Christmas presents. I think so too, I bought three and they were well received by their recipients.
