Partnership with Expanding Opportunities
Expanding Opportunities (www.expandingopportunities.org) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a registered NGO in Kenya. The organization has several projects. The main focus is in Kenya. One of Expanding Opportunities’ major projects in maintaining and expanding the Joseph Waweru Home School; an orphanage in the Nakuru district of Kenya. Other programs include: an artisan support project with two ecommerce sites, Aina Moja,and 1st African Clothing, a micro-loan project called Success Through Education, Money and Support, or STEMS, a feeding program for street children in Kericho, Kenya, a books and other supplies distribution project, and a developing Distance Learning Center Project. The Artisan Support Project has expanded to the Ucayali area of Peru and some service volunteer projects are offered there as well. Expanding Opportunities also has a project in the United States. Camp Forest brings indigenous wilderness and survival skills from around the world to enrich the lives of children and engender an appreciation for the natural world around us.
For more information, please contact Bev Stone at info@expandingopportunities.org, 207-722-3708 or at 84 Payson Road, Brooks, Me 04921.
Partnership History
Expanding Opportunities has been an Omprakash Partner since July, 2008.
Need for Material Resources
There is always a great need for resources. It is difficult to say, but money travels well. It weighs little and stretches far. We are extremely conscientious with the expenditure of donor funds. If still in doubt, come with us on a Service Journey. You can watch and participate in the wonderful privilege of learning, growing, sharing and giving. Below is a list of some of the needs of Expanding Opportunities.
Volunteer willing to make quilt squares with donor names embroidered, quilted or painted on to combine into hanging quilts to honor our donors and temper the echo of the stone Commons building housing the kitchen, and dining/study.
Donated potholders and aprons for our kitchen in Kenya.
$90.00 per month fully sponsors a child in the Home. You may select a child to sponsor at our website http://www.expandingopportunities.org/street_children/ics.html.
$1.00 per day feeds a child one meal
$5,000.00 builds a dormitory for 8 boys (our capacity will be 32 when completed)
$15,000 builds a complete family home (we have one and plan one more to provide housing for parents and 8 small children)
$50.00 purchases a bed, with mattress and bedding
$10,000 will provide start up funds for the girl’s home.
$250.00 per year fully supports a high school student
$30.00 purchases a uniform for a school child
$20.00 purchases a pair of school shoes
$10.00 purchases a desk
$5.00 - $10.00 purchases a curriculum textbook
$5,000.00 is needed to purchase a truck for transport of goods and people in Kenya
$50.00 provides a partial campership for a child to attend Camp Forest
$800.00 purchases a canoe for Camp Forest.
Any purchase at the websites, www.ainamoja.com or www.1stafricanclothing.com supports the organization and a Kenyan or Peruvian artist.
Need for Volunteers
Expanding Opportunities has an active volunteer program both in the USA and abroad. Service Journeys occur to Kenya annually and volunteer programs are scheduled throughout the year. Housing is in our Children’s home, mid-level hotels while on the road or camping in tents. All basic food, water and in country transportation is included. The scheduled Service Journeys are accompanied experiences. One or more of our USA staff accompany you on the entire journey. To see the current Service Journeys please visit, www.expandingopportunities.org/journey. Internships, gap year programs and other long term volunteer service is scheduled individually– in other words, volunteers are not “required” to be part of a Service Journey in order to serve at an Expanding Opportunities project. In the USA volunteers are welcome in the office, artisan support project and Camp Forest. Below, please see a description of some of the fields in which help is needed.
Education
Nursery, Primary and Secondary school operate on a 3 term per year schedule. Schools are open January through March; May through July; and September through November. The public schools welcome visiting teachers to teach the Kenyan curriculum or special subject areas and presentations.
There are few teaching aids. Bringing materials and/or creating teaching aids to correspond to the curriculum are extremely welcome service opportunities.
Many schools have no library or an inadequate library. Assisting with the creation of a school library is a welcome service as well.
Community Health
There are many small rural clinics and hospitals. Depending upon your desires and expertise, you can carry and deliver needed medical supplies, or assist and work side by side with Kenyan medical staff in the clinics. Several of our health Service Journey participants have had the joy of assisting with a birth.
Street Children
Unfortunately street children are a common site in most of Kenya. Expanding Opportunities has a small feeding program for children in Kericho, and often feeds street children anywhere the paths cross
Joseph Waweru Home School
Expanding Opportunities has a small Children’s Home. There are always many opportunities for service at the Home. Short term assistance as simple as helping with the dishes and long term assistance as a House Parent. The needs may change but there is always plenty of work.
Alternative Technologies
The Joseph Waweru Home School is one of the few “Green” Children’s Homes. It utilizes solar power for both lighting and cooking, humanmanure composting, gray water irrigation, rain water catchment, drip irrigation, organic gardening, and is raising funds for a biogas generator for cooking. These technologies need further development, maintenance and community awareness. The children and adults in the Home need training updates regularly.
Workshops
The Children’s Home also desires to be a Community Center. The Commons building is perfect for offering short term, or one-session workshops. Solar cooking, international cooking, public health, soap making, organic gardening, or any number and type of workshops would enhance community awareness and development.
Construction
The Joseph Waweru Home School is still under construction and a girl’s home is pending funding. There is always some sort of construction project needing assistance.
African Art
Expanding Opportunities’ Artisan Support project seeks out artists and works with a variety of artist to increase their markets. Selecting, buying, discussing process, quality and price points is also an area of service.
Business Development
Expanding Opportunities seeks 100% sustainability. To assist the community with employment opportunities and to generate funds for its projects, the
organization seeks to develop viable small businesses. One such business is the current Debley Rentals. Assistance with business research, plans and marketing is always welcome.
Public Relations
This service area is ongoing. Writers, photographers, professional and amateur, are always welcome to help spread the word about Africa and its people, the work of the organization and the human stories that need to be told.
Camp Forest
Camp Forest is located in Brooks, Maine and accepts volunteer apprentices year round. The apprentice works on indigenous shelters, primitive living skills and transfers their knowledge to adults at workshops and children during the summer camp.