Do Not Conform any Longer

India Team Update from Nate

2012-02-09T21:45:00.001-08:00

For essentially three weeks, our team has lived in the part of New Delhi that “Delhi-ites” faintly cringe at when they hear the name. The Paharganj area is home to drugs, violence, theft and the red-light district. We got used to the ever-present sound of horns and cars, the smell of sewage and cigarettes, and pollution induced coughs. Our hotel was located at the back of an alleyway that had an open-air urinal stationed conveniently at its opening to the street, which in turn wafted the smell of male refuse down the remainder of the alley. I could never hold my breathe long enough to escape it. We would seek refuge in our concrete rooms or on the roof where sometimes we could see a twinge of sunlight.

We arrived in Mumbai (Bombay; same city) yesterday on an overnight train: a refreshingly comfortable way to travel. When I travel, I am often reminded why the use of contrast is such an effective tool in literature, art, and persuasion. It brings a keen awareness to detail, in those being compared, which one might normally overlook. From the moment I stepped off of the train, even with the 50+ lbs. on my back and my messenger bag in my hand, I felt considerably lighter. Firstly, I could breathe. I always felt like I fought for air in Delhi. There was a warm ocean breeze blowing through the train station, which caused the palm trees across the street to sway. The sun felt warm, and not like it had been put through a strainer before it hit the ground below. The taxi drivers were even dressed in loose fitting white cotton beach shirts and took their sandals off when they drove. It hit me then that G-d had purposely sent us to Delhi first. He wanted us to feel the difference between the dense squalor of Delhi, and the California-feel of Mumbai. Were my life a story, the Author used contrast. Thankfulness was the only logical reaction. But, as you will see, He even outdid Himself.

It had been made clear that it was time to leave Delhi. We built solid relationships with a smaller organization named Courage Homes there. They were extremely hospitable, encouraging and willing to help us in any way they could. Before we left, we treated them to dinner to show our appreciation and further our relationships with them. This proved to be very fun. One of the ladies’ husbands even owns a skateboard business, and I was able to go witness the ministry he does in a park; teaching any willing person to skate. I got to skateboard in India. We met another young lady in their church that goes directly into brothels to help the women there. I could probably write pages on the notes I took from them about human trafficking. But despite our newfound friends, we decided to move on to our next contact here in Mumbai.

We arrived in Mumbai, four hours later than expected, at 12:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday. I called the hotels within our price range from our berth in the train that morning. In Delhi, particularly our area, hotels were in abundance and the unspoken protocol was to show up when you wanted a room. The hotels in Mumbai told me to book in advance if we’d like rooms. A few days prior, Roque, a man that works with the organization Justice and Care, called Faith (after a few weeks of email silence) telling her that the only day he’d be able to meet with us was Tuesday. Interestingly, we bought our train tickets the day he called, and were scheduled to arrive on Tuesday morning. When we told him from the train that all the hotels we contacted were booked up, he told us to just come straight to his office and they would help us work it out.

Roque directed the taxi on how to get to the office from the phone, which I was thankful for. I could tell from his voice that he was educated, quick thinking, and smart. Upon our arrival he showed us where to put our bags and quickly gave us all seats and a cold 2-liter bottle of Coke. I suggested to him that maybe two of us could talk with him while two of us tried to find a place to stay that night, as we didn’t want to be a burden to them, trying to figure out at the end of the day where to stay that night.

Roque: Oh don’t worry about it! Our office manager will figure it out for you while we talk.

He then commenced to ask about us, why we were there and showed us a very informative PowerPoint of all Justice and Care does, most of which was stunning. They specialize in rescuing girls from brothels. All that goes into it is extensive. The way he presented it to us, it became very clear that there are thrice as many discouragements as there are encouragements. And yet, their whole team presses on, girl by girl (they’ve rescued and rehabilitated 534 to date), trafficker by trafficker. He seemed very excited to hear that if Transformed were to go to India it would be focused on prevention. While we talked, they bought us lunch, and found a hotel for us. Let’s just say that if he wouldn’t have contacted us, I’m not sure where we would have slept last night, as all hotels seemed to be full. G-d clearly went ahead of us and Worked out the problems we couldn’t foresee.

When we arrived at our lodging, we weren’t really sure what to do with ourselves. It was an extensive compound with a school, and two or three other community-based homes focused on creating an atmosphere conducive to “spirituality and personal development”. A Catholic priest founded ours some hundred years ago. It is surrounded by gardens and banana trees. It is quiet and clean. I woke up to birds chirping this morning. I have a feeling that if we left our doors open all day, our things would be safest they’ve been. Our Father went ahead of us and planned out where we would “lay our heads”. He even put a reading desk in mine, Evan, and Scott’s room where he knew I would sit in the sunlight, reflect, and write this blog.

Like I said, He outdid himself.

- Nate

check out Nate's blog at... Good Words

Neema 2 Update, week two of classes

2012-02-06T14:15:00.000-08:00

Meet the first group of the Neema 2 girls with their teacher Joyce and house mom Jannet...

The girls are working on a skirt design. They learn on paper bags before they use fabric...

The babies fast asleep...

Joyce giving direction...

The girls put their babies on their back and continue working...

The construction is getting closer...

A message to Sponsors of Children through TI

2012-01-24T04:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Sponsors,

If you have been sponsoring a child for the past three months or longer, you should have received the most recent update. We found that some of the e-mails we have on file no longer work and we are trying to stay away from using TI funds to send update out by mail.

If you did not receive an update, please send us an e-mail to support@transformedinternational.org and we will make sure we update our records and send you the update on your sponsored child.

From all of us at TI, thank you for your continued support. You are helping to transform the lives of a new generation.

Regards,

TI Support Staff

India Team Update from Faith

2012-01-22T22:52:00.000-08:00

I feel like it finally hit me yesterday that I'm spending at least 3 months of my life in India. Phew.

We have discovered we are not good tourists. We liked seeing the sights we were shown, but none really stuck out or left me awe struck. I really desire to be among the people and live among them so it was hard to go do touristy things.

Instead of seeing the Taj Mahal we all decided to go see a leper colony instead. It was obvious it made our driver uncomfortable, but we went and spent time walking around the colony and learning about their lives and the place. The colony we went too was government run, but also funded by some private donors. I believe they said there was something like 58 rooms and 120 people living there. The interesting thing was, it is cleaner and nicer than most places you see on the streets. In a lot of ways their quality of life seemed better than what I've seen so far, at least from the outside looking in. A couple women there spoke English and we were able to ask them simple questions. When I walked, up one of the women asked me if I was Christian. I said yes and she said she was too. Her name was Miriam. I told her that was a Bible name and she said she knew that. When we asked her about her story she told us she lived inCalcutta and was connected with Mother Teresa's work there. She had a picture of Mary above her door and brought out a picture of Mother Teresa to proudly show us. Her family is Christian/Catholic too we learned. There wasn't the ability to ask them a lot of in depth questions about faith or anything and so the conversation was broken up in chunks of understanding and then the women just nodding because they didn't understand.

I was struck by the simplicity of something while I was there at the colony. The women wore little bangles on their arms and were nicely groomed with their hair in braids. They had on their colorful sari's and when I held Miriam's gaze long enough she'd smile really big then look down all sheepishly and shyly for a few seconds only to have her eyes dart back up really quick to see if I was looking at her still. If I was, she'd laugh. In a place set apart by their country as unclean and a place where they send people who cannot interact with society on even a basic level, they still have dignity and still care about something as basic as their appearance. I was struck by that for some reason.

You could probably pass by and see no hope through those gates, knowing that the people there are suffering and dying, yet, to the families and people there, and especially the Lord, they are still people, worthy of respect and a conversation. I was humbled and happy to be the cause of something as simple as a smile in Miriam's day and will remember her attitude and the excitement on her face when I said I was a Christian like her.

Some observances about India:
- The women are beautiful. The young girls have such piercing eyes and flawless brown skin. Some know they have a great smile and use it to their advantage often when asking for money (a common occurrence with women no matter what country I guess!). The older the woman, the more weathered her face and the more cautious her eyes. A smile from me to any of them is usually met with a smile back and searching eyes to see if I'll communicate anymore as I walk by. They are more reserved with the men, although they'll usually return a greeting.
- The traffic is so stressful that we have all discussed how it drains us to be driving around in it for long. I would rather walk everywhere if it weren't for the ear piercing horns multiple times per second that make me wanna crawl outta my skin.
- Every morning a thick fog hangs over the city I can't watch the sunrise, I just watch it get light outside. The weather here is ridiculously colder than we expected. There hasn't been a day yet that I haven't worn the fleece sweater I brought most of the day. I have to ask for an extra blanket because I am usually so cold at night. There is no humidity so far where we've been, but India is coming out of their winter season now so it should get warmer as we are here.
- There is garbage EVERYWHERE. When it rains, it doesn't smell fresh in the air, it smells like wet garbage, that was very telling to me. The filth and trash here was shocking...it still is. I can't believe how bad it is.
- The people are so busy in New Delhi that it's almost as if you don't exist when out and about on the streets unless you are buying something. If you don't move out of their way they'll run right through you. Thankfully, I have 3 men deflecting anything coming my way so I'm better off than most women walking the streets having to dodge people.
- I love the color in India. It makes my heart happy. Everywhere I go I see bright hues on the women and fabrics of amazing colors.

- Faith

India Team Update

2012-01-18T02:08:00.000-08:00

Jaipur, India.

I got into New Delhi, India, early Friday morning ready for at least a few complications as far as customs and getting my luggage in one piece; as is the case with most travel. After I breezed through customs and found my luggage only a few minutes after, I thought to myself that it really wasn’t a bad way to start our adventure. We hopped in a taxi to our hotel, where we would set up a sort of “home base” for the next couple of days. Happy to see the rest of my team that was waiting for me, and happy to be done with the initial part of traveling, we all decided to crash for a few hours before we would start our day.

Delhi is a busy city… It is home to about 12 million people, and it would seem as if all 12 million are all trying to get to the same place at once. The streets are filled with an outrageous number of vehicles, horns, and people on motorcycles and bicycles. We wandered down the road for a while until we found a tourist information office, if there was a place that we could get most of our questions answered that would be it. We got great information as well as set up a time to meet with the two guys that worked at the counter… to talk about the bad parts of Delhi as well as the parts of India that were connected to sex trafficking. In a matter of hours we had found a couple of necessities as well as received some general, but helpful, information in regards of our time here!

We are waiting until late January to meet up with a contact here in Delhi, so we decided to pass the time by traveling to surrounding towns, not only because we wanted to see more of India, but it turned out to be cheaper to travel than to stay in Delhi. We are excited to see a different side of India than the capital, as well as see what the other cities have to offer. We are all pretty comfortable with the plans that have unfolded so far, and it has been amazing to see how God has shown up for us even in these first couple of days.

- Evan

Neema 2 Begins

2012-01-16T23:25:00.001-08:00

Yesterday the Neema 2 Project began with a new group of at risk teen girls and teen mothers. The youngest being a tiny15 year old girl with a 1 month old baby.

The girls and TI staff gathered to go over the rules and expectations of the program. The girls were overwhelmed with joy as they heard about all the things they will be learning.

They will have three full days a week of intensive sewing classes. The other two weekdays will focus on counseling sessions run by TI’s social workers Anne. She will also spend time working with them on basic life skills. Eric, the country director for TI, will spend a session each week with the girls teaching them basic business skills on how to begin a business from nothing.

The girls had their first sewing class this morning in the fully equipped classroom where each girl has her own sewing machine to learn on.

The construction continues as the walls are quickly going up. The crew hopes to have windows and doors in this week and begin the final layers of bricks next week.

I’m thrilled to see the lives that this program is going to change. Most of the girls had no hope at all. Many of them having been raped, are looked down upon by the community. But with a trade and business skills, these young women will quickly gain the respect of their surrounding communities, showing that they can make a difference through hard work. Hope has been restored.

- Daniel

Teen Mother's Get Fresh Start

2012-01-11T04:19:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the generous donation from a family in Pennsylvania, another group of teen mothers from the Shimo slums graduated from a sewing school put on by TI and our talented sewing teacher Joyce.

These 4 girls went through an intensive one year program that taught them basic and some advanced skills in sewing, one of the most practical trades for women in Kenya. Upon finishing the program, each girl got to take home a sewing machine and was given the tools she needs to begin a business for herself. Their lives were never be the same as they have been given a huge chance to succeed.

Joyce will be taking her teaching skills to the new Neema project which launches next week. 15 to 30 at risk teens and teen mothers will get training in sewing and hair dressing through the one year program. In addition to learning a trade, the girls will be discipled by our qualified staff and taught business skills, giving each of them the boost they need.

Thank you to those from Pennsylvania who support this group of girls from the Shimo slums and for all who are continuing to support the Neema project.

- Daniel

Ugly Christmas Sweater Benefit Concert

2012-01-07T05:14:00.000-08:00

Last month Jonathan Wood and Payton Buckley hosted a benefit concert in Hermosa Beach, California to raise money for new computers for Transformed International.

The “Ugly Christmas Sweater” benefit concert hosted different bands from the area and all proceeds were donated to buy netbook computers for the office and field staff for the TI team working in Kenya. The computers will allow them to do updates and reports from the field as well as keep in touch with the supporters from the U.S. and Canada.

The concert was a huge success as about 70 people came to support the event and raised more money then was expected.

A special thanks to those who gave their time and donated financially to make the event so successful. Also, thanks to the bands who entertained and drew a great crowd. Thank you Jonathan and Payton for planning, organizing and running the whole event and giving towards and partnering with the work that TI is doing for the children and families in Kenya.

TI India, the adventure begins...

2012-01-06T04:19:00.000-08:00

Next week a group of 4 Individuals from Reno will be heading to India to begin a self funded research trip to see if some of the models TI has developed in Kenya will be able to be put to use there. Every few weeks I will post updates from the team about their adventures. Please remember to keep them in your prayers as they venture into new areas and will surly face many adversities.

- Daniel

I fly into Delhi, India on the 12^th of January. There I will meet up with the three others from Reno; Faith, Nate, and Scott, and the adventure will begin. Our hopes for the next couple of months will be to find out as much information as we can about the sex trade, as well as the existing ministries that are in place to combat one of the ugliest realities of our world today. Our time there will take us throughout the country and will hopefully give us an accurate, real world depiction of the sex trade as well as the appropriate place for T.I. to help. We hope to find out a part of this battle that we can either help alongside an existing ministry, or possibly start up a branch of T.I. to address the problem in the most effective way. As my departure gets closer, and the reality of the work that we hope to be doing becomes clearer, I am overcome with many different emotions, the most prevalent is a combination of fear, and excitement. Fear of the unknown, and excitement because I know that the way I see my Father show up will be something that will change my life.

~Evan

What’s Next? A note from Daniel...

2012-01-02T01:47:00.000-08:00

I remember 8 years ago, almost to the day, I boarded my first flight to Kenya, none the wiser that I would spend almost 1/3 of my life here.

I love it when God writes my story for me…

A few weeks ago I booked one way flights back to the U.S. for me and for Ashlie. So strange not knowing the exact date we will return to Kenya. Lord willing, sometime in 2013.

I often ask myself why I came to Kenya in the first place. I most certainly didn’t have a passion for the poor African children. My motives, at first, were selfish. I was looking for an adventure and a place where I could figure out my life. Looking back at the experiences I’ve walked through, adventure and life direction were accomplished. The more recent years drew me into a less self centered motive and brought me to an understanding that my purpose is the follow the Lord wherever He leads, not to make a name for myself, not to obtain earthly treasures, but to walk in obedience.

As we begin to pack up our few things, I’ve been spending more and more time reflecting. I’m humbled by the grace of my Father who has carried me through this season, protected me, provided for all my needs. And the greatest thing is the character development and growth He caused in me.

So What’s Next?

Ashlie and I head to the States early February. We plan to spend a few months with each of our families, both in California and Nevada. We will also fit in some traveling and speaking, one of my favorite parts about being in North America.

Since even before we were married, we began to pray about starting a branch of TI in another third world country with a focus on a discipleship program for young adults from Western cultures. In October, we plan to spend a few months exploring these options and visiting ministries who are doing the same kind of things we would like to do.

Through my time in Kenya, the Lord has impressed upon my heart that discipleship is one of the most important responsibilities we have as followers of Christ, and at the same time, its one of the weakest areas of today’s church.

It’s Scary…

I have a lot of anxiety about being in America for more than a few months. Kenya has become home and where I feel like I have purpose, being anywhere but here feels scary. The Lord is reminding me of my perceived “need” to be in control. I’m convinced that control and having faith in the Lord can’t occupy the same space in a man’s soul. So the more I try to be in control, the more my heart struggles with trusting the Father’s plan.

I don’t like change because I’m not in control. But at the same time, I crave it as it causes me to grasp onto the only firm thing in my life, my relationship with God.

I still have a lot of anxiety…

Some people have asked who will be overseeing Transformed International since I won’t be in Kenya full time. Thanks to technology, it will be easy for me to continue to oversee the general operations of TI from anywhere in the world. Just because I won’t be sitting at my desk in Kenya doesn’t mean that my heart and leadership for the work in Kenya will change one bit. I am passionate about the people and projects that TI is serving.

Taking that extra look…

I find myself gazing off in the distance, taking that extra look at my surroundings, trying to capture a mental picture of the faces of each child, of the beautiful country around us, enjoying a long ride on my motorcycle. After 8 years, I know these coming weeks will fly by and the next time I come to Kenya, things won’t look quite the same.

This season is over, leading into a brand new one. More adventures, more tears, falling more in love with my Creator and enjoying it all with my best friend who happens to be my most wonderful wife.

I’m excited to walk out what’s next.

- Daniel

Neema Construction Update (The roof is on)

2012-01-02T00:38:00.000-08:00

After a few weeks off, Adam and the construction crew is back to work at the Neema Project working on the dorms. This week they finished the roof and the foundation, next step, bricks, bricks and more bricks.

We are looking forward to launching this pogrom this month and seeing the lives of young woman transformed.

TI’s 5th annual Christmas Party

2011-12-12T05:09:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday TI held its 5^th annual Christmas party where all the children and families supported by TI as well as the TI staff and their families came to celebrate together. A celebration not only of Christmas but a time of giving thanks for the provision that came to each family over the year.

This is the one time each year that the entire home based projects and other TI projects gather in one place. The sheer magnitude of seeing all the children was overwhelming. To see how many orphans are being reached through TI, to see how many lives are being changed, molded and transformed, one at a time. I was reminded of the first three orphans that TI began supporting 5 years ago; I never thought that so many orphans would one day be supported and cared for through TI. The party was a reminder of the importance and privilege of caring for the poor, for the widows and for the orphans.

Over 300 people attended this year’s party.

We are so thankful to Newmarket Alliance Church for making this years party possible by the generous donations of the church body. Thank you NAC for continuing to partner with Transformed International.

Thank you to the many supporters, sponsors, volunteers and Kenyan staff who make it possible for so many orphans, widows, at risk girls and families to be reached. Without each one of you, none of this would be possible.

As we close out this year and begin a new one, I dwell on the many faces of these children and I look forward to seeing the transformation continue in the New Year.

- Daniel

Neema Construction Update, The School is Finished!!!

2011-11-07T06:45:00.000-08:00

The constructor of the school is finally finished and ready for the first group of girls to begin in January. We are so thrilled with the quality of work that Adam did. The construction of the dorms has begun.

I can’t wait to watch the lives of so many teen girls change as they learn a trade and have their lives transformed.

Beginning of the dorms

Pit Latrine

Neema Construction Update (almost finished)

2011-10-17T00:07:00.000-07:00

Clearing out the land for the dorms

One of the two offices

Office

Classroom

TI Kenya Country Director

2011-10-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

Last month the leadership and staff of TI Kenya moved into the next phase our transition towards the day to day operations of TI Kenya being locally run.

I want to take this time to introduce you to our TI Kenya Country Director Eric Mangala.

Eric and I met about over 5 years ago at a youth conference in Kitale. We both were asked to speak at the seminar. Our radical and “un-Christian” perspective on life quickly made us good friends. Over the next years as Eric finished up his masters degree in Nairobi, we spent more time together and realized that we had more in common than we thought and became good friends.

Last year, after gradating, Eric moved to Kitale to work with TI for a season to see if it was a fit for him. Much to our benefit, it was! I spent the last months of last year and a good part of this year training Eric in running TI Kenya. He has not only excelled in his position, but he has taken TI Kenya to a new level.

Eric was born and raised in Kakamega, Western Kenya. He has a bachelors degree in Teaching from Moi University and has a CPA-K Masters degree from Strathmore University. He has a passion for working with the less privileged in society; widows, orphans and vulnerable children.

I am overjoyed to have Eric as a part of the TI team and I’m so excited as I watch his unique skill set daily increase the way TI is able to reach those in need.

- Daniel

Hope 2 Kenya Team 2011

2011-09-30T03:46:00.000-07:00

We were so thrilled to host the Hope 2 Kenya team this month. This year marks 4 years of partnering with Sandy Foster and her group from North Bay, Canada. The first year TI hosted the group, Sandy expressed a great desire to help the street and at risk girls. By the end of her two weeks here, the Neema Girl’s Project went from an idea to a reality and Hope 2 Kenya has continued to sponsor the monthly running cost of that program.

In addition, this group bought the land and funded the set up and start of TI’s Veronica Home where HIV orphans are getting the care they need.

Since that first visit, TI has continued to work side by side with this amazing group as they have raised awareness and funds to help so many people in Kenya. Sandy has been instrumental in raising a portion of the funds for the Neema expansion project currently in progress and is close to being finished.

This year’s group made a vast impact on almost 200 widows in the Shimo and Maili Saba areas as they distributed 38,000 pounds of maize and beans. In this season of food shortage and high prices the impact was huge.

The group also sponsored, for the first time, a widows business training where Eric, TI’s country director took 40 widows through a 5 day training on how to begin a successful micro business.

We are so thankful for the partnership between Hope 2 Kenya and Transformed International as we continue to, together, meet the needs of the those who lack.

Thank you Sandy and the Hope 2 Kenya for being a voice for those who have none and for meeting the needs of so many in Kenya!

2011 Interns

2011-09-21T01:16:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite times each year is the Kenya internship program. Even before we began the very first internship program, spending three months with a group of young adults, hashing out life, loving the Lord and learning how to care for the poor, was something so dear to my heart.

We are two weeks into this year’s program and I’m already endeared to the young adults living in the TI community.

The program’s main focus is to first, teach the interns what it means to live in community and to be the body of Christ and second, how to love and care for the poor. We meet daily for devotions, have guys and girls meetings and work through tough life concepts. In addition, the interns are involved with different project every day. Some are projects under TI and others are projects TI loves to help support and be a part of.

Sitting this morning with the group of interns talking about resolving conflict in community, I realized how proud I am of them for their maturity and growth in a short amount of time and also for their loving hearts for each other and for the poor. I realized too how thankful I am for community and the chance to share life with a group of amazing young men and women.

THANK YOU to Freedom Fest (via Mosaic Designs)

2011-09-15T00:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest from Mosaic Designs via http://www.mosaicdesigns.org/

Last weekend I had the privilege of sharing the story of my friends in Kenya (the Neema/Shim Girls, Joyce, Joann, and Janet). My goal was to express hope and demonstrate that lives can be transformed when given new opportunities to learn and grow! We had an opportunity to display and sell the latest products made by the Neema Project. My goal was to sell $500 of products. Well, we exceeded that! We raised over $700! I was thrilled! More importantly is that we were able to tell stories about the girls who are working hard to make the items and learning to use their skills.

A few THANK YOU'S:

· Jennifer Peterkin and International Freedom and Justice Coalition for allowing the story of the Neema Project to be heard.

· Melinda Snow, Sarah Racine, Penny Gerrard for manning the table Kenya Team 2011 who showed up to support the event

· Providence Church people who showed up in support of the event

· Transformed International, for allowing us to be apart of the work you are committed to in Kenya.

All proceeds that Mosaic Designs raised will be sent back to Kenya for the building of the new Neema home. Every brick counts!

Neema Construction Update (Plastering)

2011-09-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

Last week Adam and the crew began plastering the walls for the Neema project. They will finish all the walls this week and finish with the floors next week. The project should be done by the end of this month.

Donations have been coming in for phase two of this project, the dorms. We hope to begin them soon.

TI's New Sponsorship Coordinator

2011-09-01T03:03:00.000-07:00

First I want to introduce myself, my name is Autumn Hansen I live in Reno, NV. I’m married to a wonderful and supportive man and we have a beautiful 15 month old little angel.

I’ve known Daniel Lipparelli since before God gave him the direction for Transformed International. I remember when he came back from Kenya the first time, he looked at me and said, “I have to go back, I just have to go back.” Through one man’s passion, determination and faith, Transformed International was born. Daniel broke every stereo typical role a non-profit organization in Africa was told it had to fit into. He eliminated the need for overhead costs, fat administrative salaries and overpriced conveniences. Instead he took public transportation, got in touch with the needs of the people and communicated those needs to us in the States. As the funds started coming in they went straight to the needs of the people Daniel and his staff carefully selected. This paved the way for numerous programs, but the one I want to talk about today is the sponsorship program, the position I now have the privilege of coordinating.

My husband and I are the proud sponsors of 2 orphans through TI, so this sponsorship position is already dear to my heart. In the beginning it was just Emily though. She was a sad, hopeless orphan with no direction or future. When I saw her picture my heart skipped a beat, as many of yours did when you saw a picture of your orphan for the first time. At first I wondered what impact such a small monthly amount could have on Emily’s life, but I had no idea what would follow during the next 3 years. I’ve seen her grow, heard her stories, seen pictures and prayed most of all for her safety, health and happiness. Now with a 15 month old daughter of my own, I wonder what depth of sadness Emily’s mother must have felt when she died, thinking that her daughter would most likely follow, the odds were against her little girl alone in a starving nation with no help to speak of. Only God could have orchestrated the plan that unfolded for dear Emily. Through the work of TI, Emily is now healthy, happy and growing beautifully. She is educated and has aspirations of becoming a nurse. She is fed and cared for and her life has direction and hope where there was none before. This is not just the story of our little Emily but of the 90+ orphans that the sponsorship program provides for. For years I’ve felt like I needed to be doing more for this inspiring organization, so when this position opened up I prayerfully accepted Daniel’s invitation to join the TI staff.

In September I will be sending out a much awaited update to each of our sponsors on their children. We will take you back to the beginning where TI found your child then walk you through the following years to where the children are at now and where their lives are headed. But first, I wanted to share two short stories of the hope that your monthly sponsorship has provided in the lives of just 2 TI orphans, Benard and Naomi:

BENARD

Benard was the youngest in a family of six children. When his parents past on, they left Benard infected with HIV and AIDS. Benard was 2 years old but could not talk or walk. He did not know the taste of food and at the same time the food itself was never there when he had the appetite to eat. Benard was so sickly and weak that the family had given up hope of Benard living.

When TI came into the life of Benard, his health was the first priority and with the help of Ampath, a company that gives the ARV’s to infected children, his health was restored and is now very strong. The family says this showed them that there is a God and they gave their lives to Christ. Before TI, Benard and his siblings lived in a grass thatched hut that had holes in the roof. Whenever it rained their bodies got soaked in water and because of this, they were sick all the time. Through support from Benard and his sibling’s sponsors, the roof over the family’s heads is now iron not grass. Benard is now 6 years old and soon he will be enrolled in school. Thank you so much for your contributions which have now brought joy to Benards life.

NAOMI

When TI found Naomi she was 16 months old, walking aimlessly and naked through the Shimo la Tewa slums. Her father had just died of HIV and AIDS and the mother had run off. Naomi’s health was very poor, she was badly malnourished which stunted her growth. The TI staff recount stories of seeing her for the first time and thinking how tiny she was with rashes all over her body. 2 times she was admitted to the hospital, each time the hospital staff assumed she would die. Naomi is now a very smart, healthy little girl who’s life is a testimony that God heals. Through her TI sponsorship, she received the proper nutrition and she began to develop normally. The malnutrition left her and she can now talk and walk properly!!! In the course of the next year she will go to school.

Every one of the 90+ children TI currently sponsors has a past story of sadness and despair, but now their lives continue forward, filled with hope. As I prepare their stories for the September update, I am filled with joy and passion for what we’re doing here at TI and an overwhelming sense of gratitude to our sponsors.

I welcome your thoughts, questions and suggestions on how we can better serve you. We thank you and pray for your continued support.

Autumn

Sponsorship Coordinator for Transformed International

support@transformedinternational.org

Neema Construction Update (The roof is on)

2011-08-31T05:05:00.001-07:00

The roof is up as they head in to the last week or so of construction of the Neema Project classrooms.

Due to the rain, that comes just about every afternoon, the construction slowed down, but now with a roof up, the men will be able to finish plastering the walls and putting in a floor, rain or shine.

The first donations have come in for the dorms so we are planning on beginning the first steps of phase two as soon as the classrooms are complete.

Next month we will begin to interview and do assessments on the first group of at risk girls, who will be enrolled into the new Neema Girl’s Project.

I can’t wait to watch the lives of more girls be transformed as they learn a trade and are given the tools they will need to be more successful in life.

Child of the Week (Anthony Wanyani)

2011-08-29T03:40:00.000-07:00

Anthony is a 6 year old who loves to play outside. His bright eyes and huge smile overpowers the sad story of this little boy.

Anthony’s father was murdered during the post election violence and while his deaf mother was fleeing an angry mob, she fell into a well and died. This left Anthony and his siblings orphaned and alone. Thankfully they had an aunt who was willing to take them into her home and raise them as her own children.

Next year Anthony wants to start first grade and go to school with his friends. The support that TI provides for children in the sponsorship program gives them food, clothes, education and a safe place to grow up. These orphaned children, like Anthony, have a glimmer of hope. If you would like to sponsor Anthony or another child through Transformed International, e-mail support@transformedinternational.org.

Thank you Stewarts...

2011-08-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

Last week the TI team had a party for Sean and Meredith Stewart as we said goodbye and thanked them for their years of service to the families and children in Kenya who they have been working with. We are so thankful for the impact that Sean and Meredith have made as they helped to establish the foundations of Transformed International and most of all, for the love and compassion they showered upon the children. The biggest impact they have made is that on the lives of the kids. They were a mother and a father to those who had neither.

The event marked the end of one season for the Stewarts and the beginning of a new one.

They will now be serving at Instep Rehema Ministries, also located just outside of Kitale. The founders of Instep are very good friends of ours and we are so excited for the Stewarts to be working with such a wonderful ministry.

We were honored to have the founders, Jeff and Carla Picicci, come to the party with a few of their 104 children. Their presence expressed unity and transition.

The children thanked Sean and Meredith through songs and dances and the staff gave short speeches. The day ended with a feast, some of the kids asked “is it Christmas today?”

Thank you Sean and Meredith for your service. Our prayers are with you as you begin this new journey.

Rehema/Instep Ministries

(Instep kids singing and dancing)

(Veronica Home kids singing and dancing)

(Anne, TI Staff social worker)

(Mark, TI discipleship coordinator)

(Ben and Virginia, house parents at Veronica Home)

(Joan, TI teacher)

(Daniel and Erica TI country director)

Providence Church Team Video

2011-08-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

Child of the Week

2011-08-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Ian is an 8 year old first grade student in the Maili Saba area. His parents passed away from AIDS in 2004 when he was just a baby. Thankfully Ian’s aunt was willing to care for him. Ian enjoys playing soccer with his friends after school and one day hopes to go to college and get a good job. TI now wants to come along side Ian and his aunt to make sure he gets a good childhood and education that he deserves.

Update from the Director

2011-08-10T05:50:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since I gave a general update on all that is going on with TI. I realized, through some personal messages, that people want to know more about the day to day events happening in Kenya.

We had an amazing staff meeting this week. I was blown away as the progress the Kenyan staff members are making in improving the care we are giving to the children and families we are working with. They are making all of this progress by their own initiative.

Anne, our staff social worker, attended a three day seminar in Nairobi hosted by U.S. Aid. The seminar was about monitoring, evaluating and improving care given to children specifically in home based care programs. Anne is working hard to implement these things within TI so that we can be the most effective in changing the lives of the children we are caring for.

On a sad note, we lost 11 sponsors this year. These were people who sponsored children in our home based care program. It was very discouraging to me.

In the midst of drastically rising food costs, it has been hard to go to some of our Kenyan families, where sponsorship has been cut, with much much less food for the month.

Starting this week, I will be featuring a child a week on the web page, telling their stories in hopes that by getting the word out, more people would be willing to sponsor an orphan.

Also, we are planning to take steps to help each home based family become more self sufficient. We can’t depend on the financial support of the West for these children forever. I think that we need to use wisdom and look at the future. Eric, who has extensive background in micro business, will be helping the widows and guardians of the children establish money making projects that will hopefully be able to supplement the rising food cost and make up for the areas we can’t supply.

Mark and Derick (TI’s discipleship team) are in their 4th month of doing discipleship for our home based program. They meet with each family group on a monthly basis. This last week two new things happened. First, our seamstress Joyce joined them as they went from project to project. We have been looking for a Kenyan lady who would be willing to help out with this program and more specifically be able to focus on the girls. Joyce was excited about the chance to work with the orphaned girls. The second thing that happened is the kids from our home based project have begun to invite their friends to come over and be a part of the group. Without Mark and Derick even trying, the church of children is growing. I am so impressed with the effect that this program has been having in the lives of the orphans.

We made it through our big team of the summer and it was great. We were so honored to be able to work side by side with the team from Providence Church. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the Lord is going to do through Faith Wise and Mosaic Designs. I strongly believe in Faith’s vision for this new ministry. She has a deep passion to see the lives of these teen girls in Kenya transformed and renewed.

We are getting geared up for this year’s internship program beginning September 7th. There will be 5 interns this year. They are from Nevada, PA and New York, 3 girls and 2 guys. I am really looking forward to running this program as a married man serving side by side with my wife. Discipleship, now that I’m married, looks so different.

The continued transition of an all Kenyan staff has been great. I have to brag on Eric for a bit and say that he is just amazing. He has far exceeded my hopes and has really taken charge of running TI Kenya. I continue to monthly transition more and more things under his responsibility and my hope is that by September, I will take a back seat to the day to day running of TI and just focus on the interns. Because of the smoothness and peace, it is so clear to me that we are walking in the Lord’s will with this transition.

We have a few office administrative needs that I wanted to throw out. Almost all of our old laptops are no longer working. Because of the increase of administrative work by our Kenyan staff, we are at the point where we could use 3 new netbooks for Eric, Derick and Anne. If the Lord wants us to have them, He will provide.

As we enter into this new month, I’m so excited to see what the Lord is going to do and to watch His perfect plans unfold.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support as we together strive to meet the needs of the orphans and widows.

- Daniel Lipparelli

A Special Thanks!

2011-08-09T05:36:00.000-07:00

“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

I’m often touched by the generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness of other people, a unique person or group of people who receive, and in their abundance, they give.

Last month the crew from Rehema In Step Foundation did a fundraiser to raise funds to cover the drastic rise in the price of maize. Their goal was to raise enough to cover the cost increase for their children’s home for the rest of 2011. They were so successful that they raised above and beyond their goal.

Ashlie and I had lunch with the directors of In Step, who are also our good friends, when they handed me a thick envelope and told me it was for maize for TI. We were so touched by the generosity of their gift and that they would share in their abundance. It was a clear picture of the body of Christ in action.

This is a special thanks on behalf of the children of TI to the amazing crew at Rehama In Step Foundation. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. We are so honored to know you and call you our family and our good friends.

- Daniel

http://www.rehemainstep.com/

Child of the Week

2011-08-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

Maria Namukhula’s sat timidly on a rough chair in the corner of her aunt’s mud walled shack. She dared not crack a smile or make eye contact. Maria’s father passed away in 2007 and her mother was mentally unstable. One day her mother disappeared leaving Maria in the care of her aunt. Despite the daily challenges of not having her basic needs met, Marie, 13 years old, continued to press on in her education. She is a bright 7^th grade student who aspired to be successful in life. The last time I saw Maria, her frown faded into a smile, one that quickly captured my attention. Transformed International is looking for a monthly sponsor for her so that we can help her achieve her dreams.

http://www.transformedinternational.org/sponsor.php

The Faces of the Veronica Home Children

2011-08-02T03:15:00.000-07:00

Neema Construction Update in Pictures

2011-07-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Food Crises in Kenya and how it is Affecting TI

2011-07-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

As media attention grows of the increasing issue of food insecurity in East Africa and Somalia, so does the number of e-mails I get asking how this problem is affecting Transformed International and the families we are serving.

Is it affecting us? YES!

The United Nations and the G-20 group of nations have described the drought ravaging northern Kenya and the rest of the Horn of Africa as the worst in 60 years. The crisis had surpassed the 1984 famine in Ethiopia, only that casualties were fewer because of the timely interventions by World Food Programme, and the governments of Kenya and Ethiopia, according to UN official Josette Sheeran.

Ms Sheeran, who is the WFP executive director, declared the crisis as “a corporate urgency” during a tour of Wajir and Daadab on Saturday.

“The UN has declared the Horn of Africa the largest humanitarian concern in the world and WFP is working with national governments, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations to increase life-saving operations,” said the WFP boss.

- Julius Sigei, Daily Nation, July 26, 2011

Kitale, where TI is based, has had a lot of rain and is by no means in drought, yet the lack of food in most of the country has driven the prices of the food way up. For example, Maize, the staple food in Kenya, was $13 a sack during the harvest but is now $58 for that same sack. Most all food prices have been on the rise.

All of our home based orphan families as well as our children at the children’s home live off of maize. We only have a certain amount of money allocated for food per child so the amount of food we are able to buy is much less. We have been cutting other areas in the budget in order to put more money towards food.

The reality is, though we are not able to give as much food to projects supported by TI, the children and families we are serving are still better off than the mass majority of the country, because at least they have something. Most people don’t have anything at all.

I know that the Lord provides for all our needs and I don’t often share the needs of TI without being asked. But many people are asking…

If you would like to donate for food for the orphans under the support of TI, you can send a check made out to Transformed International and write “Food” in the memo line. Send checks to:

Transformed International

P.O. Box 4789

Sparks, NV 89432

Thank you everyone who has e-mailed me this past week. Together we continue to make a difference in the lives of the children in Kenya.

- Daniel

You can read the full article at http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Famine+worst+in+60+years+UN+/-/1056/1207082/-/kjofd3/-/index.html

Providence Team

2011-07-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

10 days, 16 people, lives changed. Not only the lives of the children and girls the team worked with, but the lives of the team members themselves. As we sat in an evening team debriefing meeting, individuals shared about the impact this trip had made on them and how they will never see life the same.

The children, girls and staff of TI were deeply touched by the relationships gained and were honored to work beside such a great group of people.

The team spent the majority of their time with the Shimo and Neema Girls programs as well as helping lay bricks for the new Neema Project. The products the girls programs made were taken back and will be sold by Mosaic Designs to raise money to finish the construction of the new project.

http://faithecenroad.blogspot.com/2010/10/mosaic-designs-creating-beauty-out-of.html

I’m so thankful when people give of their time and resources to travel to the other side of the world to gain understanding by sitting with the orphans and caring for those in need.

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27

Thank you Providence team for giving up your time and hard earned money to make a difference in the lives of the poor and for allowing your relationships with them to transform your own lives.

- Daniel

Event!!!

2011-07-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

TI will have a booth with crafts set up on this event. So if you are in the Torrance, CA area on Friday, stop by and check it out.

More Info...

Neema Construction Update

2011-07-14T04:27:00.000-07:00

The Construction of Neema School is moving quickly. After a deep foundation was finished, the walls are going up fast.

Providence Church Team to Kenya

2011-07-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

We are in the first few days of our team from Providence Church, PA. Follow their blog to see what’s going on…

Compelled By Love

Neema Construction Begins

2011-06-22T03:45:00.000-07:00

Phase one of the new Neema Girl’s Project has begun. Last week Adam Pollock from New York, with a team of Kenyan’s, broke ground and began the foundation.

The first phase of this project will include classrooms for sewing, hairdressing and basic education. It will also include a few offices. We hope to complete the classrooms by the end of August. Pending finances, we will begin phase two, a small house that will sleep 15 girls who will be a part of the Neema Project.

Special thanks to Mosaic Designs, friends from Pennsylvania and the Hope 2 Kenya team who made this first phase possible.

- Daniel

TI event in Newmarket

2011-05-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

On Friday May 6th, we hosted a coffee house in Starbucks in Newmarket in honor of the Neema girls, in order to raise funds for the new building. The event included a silent auctions for some paintings, live music from local musicians, a raffle for Starbucks merchandise and we sold some TI crafts.

The building was packed. People could barely move, and excitement was in the air. After about two hours of music, I had the opportunity to share my experiences with the Neema girls as well as some statistics about street children in Kenya. People were very receptive, and the environment was intimate.

The event raised $1,159!

- Chrisy H.

Mosaic Designs Event

2011-04-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

Mosaic Designs is a new organization founded by a good friend, Faith Wise. She is currently doing projects to raise funds for the new phase of TI's Neema project. Check out this link to see what they are doing.

http://mosaicdesignproject.blogspot.com/2011/04/bloomsburg-university-sale.html

Lurking Food Crises in Kenya

2011-04-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

"Maize prices have shot to a three-month-high as dealers beef up their reserves amid a biting shortage of planting seeds that could cut this season’s harvest."

"Data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics showed inflation climbed to 9.19 per cent in March from 6.64 per cent in February."

"Food prices, which rose by 15.1 per cent from a year earlier, provided the greatest impetus to inflationary pressure besides the cost of transport which climbed by a margin of 15.89 per cent."

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Maize+prices+hit+three+month+high+as+seed+shortage+persists/-/539552/1146124/-/13jnc43z/-/

Upcoming Changes

2011-04-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

Transformed International is in its 5^th year of operation and still a young organization.

I remember sitting at my computer in 2004 and writing my ideas of a model for a “different” kind of organization. I hoped for one that would meet the unique needs of the orphans in Kenya and do it in a cost effective way. In 2006, those ideas became a reality; taking a thought and putting a form to it. And though TI is small, I never thought it would be this big.

One of my initial goals was to create a model and structure that would one day be solely run by Kenyans. I thought that five years was a good goal.

God has worked in equipping and training staff and that time is quickly approaching.

Last month, as I met with 11 of the core Kenyan staff, I was in awe of the quality people the Lord brought to this ministry, solely because it’s His ministry and not mine. I have no doubt that, in the coming years, TI will operate as well or better than it does now.

When change happens, valid questions of accountability and trust always surface. Since the beginning, the board of directors (17 members total), made it a priority to establish a structure of transparency and high accountability. TI is an organization that prides itself in its No Corruption policy. This means that we have not and will not cut corners or misuse funds.

This year will be devoted to transition and continuing to equip the staff. My goal is to provide every tool they need to be successful. In so doing, TI has hired a Kenyan Director, a young and very qualified Kenyan man, who will oversee the day-to-day operation of TI Kenya. He will spend this year training and will take over in January 2012.

What does this change mean for the supporters of TI? Nothing at all, everything will go on as it has been.

Sean and Meredith Stewart and I have been, for the past years, running things in Kenya. You might be wondering where we are all going.

Sean and Meredith will continue to serve with TI until the end of the summer when they plan use their many skills to work with In Step, a children’s home in Kitale, focused on rescuing babies. www.rehemainstep.com. Sean and Meredith will be a great addition to the In Step team.

As many of you know, I’m getting married next month to Ashlie Wood, a most amazing young woman from California. If you haven’t heard the story, check out my blog post from earlier this year…

http://dlipparelli.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-season-and-many-more-adventures.html

After our wedding, Ashlie and I will return to Kenya for the remainder of this year. In January 2012, we are planning to venture to India to prayerfully seek the Lord’s direction in establishing a branch of TI there. More will be written about this in the coming months.

Our future goal is to spend several months each year in Kenya, continuing to support, train and equip the team.

Change is difficult but so often necessary in order to see growth. I’m overjoyed by the coming changes of TI this years (especially getting married).

When I sat at my computer in 2004, I didn’t imagine this day would come and now it’s approaching.

If you have questions, please feel free to e-mail me personally at daniel@transformedinternational.org

Changing Seasons

2011-04-06T05:08:00.000-07:00

Sean and Meredith Stewart, who have been working with Transformed International for the past years, are getting ready for their next great adventure. We are so thankful for the foundation they helped to establish with TI and thrilled that their gifting and passion for the Kenyan children will be used to do great things in the coming years.

Check out their blog and read about the coming season in their life.http://stewartsinafrica.blogspot.com

Keep an eye out for an update about the next season in the life of TI!

2011 Kenya Internship Program

2011-04-04T23:31:00.000-07:00

There are still several open spots for this fall’s 3 month Kenya Internship program staring in September. If you are interested in more information, e-mail medaniel@transformedinternational.org. Application are due by June 1st.

New Floors at Veronica Home

2011-03-29T03:28:00.000-07:00

Sandra Brownlee, 16, an 11^th grade student of Chippewa Secondary School in North Bay, Canada, donated funds for Veronica Home.

Last year, Sandra won the North Bay YMCA Peace prize. She is involved in her church youth group, volunteers with Guides and is active in her school council.

Having been impacted by her trip in July 2010, she aspires to make a difference in the world and continues to help with Hope2Kenya projects.

From birthday and Christmas gifts and money earned from small jobs for her trip to Kenya last year, she donated the remaining money to the Veronica Home. After much discussion, the TI staff chose to use it to tile the flooring in the home.

The new floors have brightened the home and afford a cleaner environment for the HIV positive orphans.

On behalf of TI and the children at Veronica Home, we thank Sandra for her hard work and love for the children in Kenya.

Neema Girls Project Update

2011-03-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

We sat down as a team this past week and revised the construction plan in order to try to cut down on the total cost of building the new home and school. With the new plan we were able to cut the total cost down by over $10,000.

Where are we now? We have the land and 25% of the finances needed for construction. The hope is that once we get 50%, we will have enough to build the school and start with a day program.

The Neema Project expansion will include a tailoring school, hairdressing school, basic education in reading, writing and math, basic business training and cooking classes. The school will be able to enroll 30 at risk teen girls and teen mothers at a time for a one year program.

The current Neema project has 4 girls, as two graduated in December. Sharon, one of the girls who graduated in December, is excelling. She has been linked with a local tailor and is in her second month of apprenticeship.

Three of the four girls remaining are in their last months of the program and will graduate in June this year. They will then be linked for a 3 months apprenticeship. The 3 girls have proposed a business plan to start a joint tailoring shop in Kitale. TI plans to help them get started with their business.

I am so excited as we look forward to the expansion of this project and will be able to help so many more young girl, taking them from a life of disparity to a life of hope.

New Kids At Veronica Home

2011-03-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

It is so great to be getting new kids at TI’s latest project, the Veronica Home. The home is specially designed to cater to HIV positive orphans, giving them a greater chance of living a normal life.

Last week we welcomed Lydia Wafula, an 8 years old whose parents passed away from AID’s in 2004. They left Lydia and her two older sisters with their grandmother. Being a single woman in a society where the unemployment rate is over 50% and the average person makes only $1 a day, she has had a hard time caring for the three orphaned girls.

Because of Lydia’s health risks, we decided to take her into the Veronica Home where she can get the medication and nutrition she needs to stay healthy.

I spent a few hours this past weekend playing with Lydia and getting to know her personality. She is so full of joy and energy.

Today we welcomed 8 year old Rosy Wanjiku into the Veronica Home. Her mother passed away in 2005 from AIDs and left Rosy with her two older sisters who, because of their life of prostitution, have also contracted HIV. In their ailing state, they were not able to provide any food for Rosy, forcing her to go to the streets of Kitale to beg for food.

Rosy was rescued from the life on the streets by a local organization and today, referred her to the Veronica Home.

I’m so honored to be a part of these little girl’s lives and to get to watch them be raised in a loving home where all their needs will be met.

Both Lydia and Rosy are available for sponsorship through Transformed International. If you are interested in getting more information on how to sponsor one of these girls, please e-mail support@transformedinternational.org

Shimo Girls Project Update

2011-03-02T03:32:00.000-08:00

6 teen mothers from the Shimo slums, now in their second month learning how to sew.

Back in Kenya!

2011-02-22T03:17:00.000-08:00

I’ve been in the U.S. and Canada for the last two months. This past weekend I made it safely back to Kenya.

Things on the ground, all the projects, are going great. I’m so thankful for the seamless continuation of all the projects in my absence.

Please keep an eye out for updates in the coming weeks!

Daniel

TI on KTVN Channel 2 News

2010-12-22T00:52:00.000-08:00

TI 2010 Christmas Party

2010-12-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

On December 4^th, TI hosted their 4^th annual Kids Christmas Party for all of the children and their guardians in the sponsorship program.

There were about 300 people that came to the party, which was filled with laughter, fun and food for everyone. The children received gift bags filled with school supplies, such as pencils, erasers and rulers as well as candy to satisfy the sweet tooth.

It is always such an “awe” moment when we see all of the TI projects together in one location, to see all of the children that are being sponsored by people like you. We can never give you enough thanks.

The Christmas party also had a very special event attached to it; the graduation of our original five girls from the Shimo One Project and two girls from our Neema Girls Project. The seven girls were dressed up in graduation gowns and caps. They received flowers, TI “Certificates of Graduation” and recognition of the job well done. The Shimo Project girls were given sewing machines so that they can start their businesses right away. The Neema girls will be given their sewing machines in the New Year.

Thank you so much to Newmarket Alliance Church from Ontario, Canada for funding the Christmas Party. And thank you to Hope 2 Kenya, also from Ontario, Canada, for funding the Shimo and Neema Projects graduation. Without both of you, this day would not have happened. From TI to you, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Everyone!

~Meredith

The Simple Things

2010-11-20T20:22:00.001-08:00

My husband and I were on our way home after dinner and shopping. It was Friday evening. It had been a long and busy week. It was cold and snowing and we just wanted to get home. But I remembered that there was a craft fair in town and asked if he wouldn’t mind swinging by.

One of the craft booths represented a ministry called Transformed International. I noticed that a number of items were made with small “sead” beads. I had quite a collection at home and asked the young ladies, Hope and Faith, working the booth if they would be interested in receiving them for the ministry. They said “Yes” so I promised to bring them in the next day. I told my husband on the way home, “Do you realize what a “God Thing” this is?” You see, my bead collection was quite large. It has been setting in my craft room for a number of years. Working with tiny beads was eye straining and I had been praying for some time about what I could do with them. What a Blessing to be able to give them to such a wonderful ministry – and what an answer to prayer for me!!!

I was blessed to see my collection

donated to the ministry

As a side note - I got on the Internet Friday evening when we got home to look into the ministry a little more. Transformed International works with widows, orphans and the poor. My husband and I have been talking about sponsoring a child in another country for some time. We are currently praying about sponsoring a little girl in Kenya.

May the Lord Continue to Bless your ministry,

Janna

Susanville, CA

Update from the International Director

2010-11-17T22:02:00.000-08:00

November marks the end of the year for TI operations in Kenya. As December approaches, we plan to throw a huge party for all of our projects. We will make sure everyone has their food for the rest of the month, then all of our staff and team rest for the remainder of the month. A restful time in preparation for what the New Year has in store.

Reflections:

This year completes TI’s 4^th full year as an organization. If I could wrap up what this year has been to TI in one sentence, I would say that it has been a year of refocusing and refining. Though several projects are no longer being supported through TI, the other projects are stronger then ever.

Right now TI has 61 sponsors who are sponsoring 88 orphans through the home based care program. These are 88 children who would be living a totally different life of poverty if TI and the sponsors hadn’t stepped in. Next year, 11 of these children will be attending high school.

In December, TI is graduating two girls from the Neema project and five girls from the Shimo project. These are seven teen girls who, without these projects, would most likely be on the streets making a living through prostitution.

This year TI also established a home for HIV positive orphans. A place where they can receive the specific care they need in order to live a normal and healthy life.

Looking Forward:

This next year has in store some big changes in the life of TI.

First of all, we are hoping to begin construction of the new Neema Home in March. This new home and project expansion will be able to provide a new hope for 30 at risk teen girls through providing basic education, a trade school and business skills.

TI Kenya will be restructuring staff and basic operations as a new strategic plan will be put in place. The purpose of this plan is work towards smoother on the ground operations.

Upcoming Events

In only a few weeks, I will be on a plane to the U.S. It will be my first time home in almost two years and my first Christmas home in four years. I can’t wait. As of now I have speaking engagements in Nevada and Pennsylvania between December 11^th and the end of January. I always know that the Lord will open up the exact places that He wants me to speak so I don’t push it, but too, I want to let people know that I still have free time to speak to groups.

For those who haven’t heard me speak before, you may think that my goal in speaking is to promote TI and to ask for money. That’s not the case at all. In fact, I rarely speak about TI unless people specifically ask me to. Most of my topics revolve around global awareness, caring for the poor, and to youth and young adults, I talk about hearing God’s direction for their life and what it means to live a life of sacrifice.

Thanks

Without all the people involved, U.S., Kenya, and Canada and all the sponsors, none of what we are doing in Kenya could take place.

Thank you to the sponsors who are setting aside their $30 ($35 CDN) every month to support an orphan. You are making a big different in the life of an orphan, who will forever be changed.

Thank you to the individuals that, for no reason, gave of your personal finances to allow TI to do extra projects. We don’t ask, but the Lord put TI on your heart.

Thank you to the people in the U.S. and Canada who plan and put on events to sell the Kenyan crafts. Without you, we would not be able to do so many little extra things. But the funds you bring in, allows so much more to be done.

Thank you to all who gave to Hope 2 Kenya, and also thanks to the Hope 2 Kenya team who makes it possible to continue to fund the Neema Girls Project and who funded the building of the Veronica Home.

Thank you to the donors and directors of ReAct for continuing to set an example of true love with all the children you are reaching in Kenya.

Thank you to the founder and team behind Mosaic Designs. Your heart for the poor amazes me.

Thank you to all the people who gave money and especially those who spent two weeks of their summer building the JOHABETO home.

Thank you to the U.S., Canada, and Kenya board of directors who continue to have a heart for the work being done here and who are always willing to give counsel when we are in over our heads.

Thank you to the people in the U.S. and Canada who oversee all of the finances, a daunting task.

Thank you to all the team members and staff working in Kenya. We can have all the money in the world, but without each of you, nothing would get done.

Thank You God for Your heart for the poor.

On a personal note:

I am praying about taking a small team on a three month exploration trip to India in 2011. The purpose of this trip would be to asses the need and to see if it’s a possibility to take TI’s models for caring for the poor and implementing them there.

India has been on my heart for over six years and no matter how much I try to stop thinking about it, it keeps coming back.

I believe strongly that if it is the Lord’s will, then it will happen and in His timing, not mine. All the funds used for this trip will not come from TI, but each member of the team will be responsible to fund their entire trip. This excites me because I’ve seen so many times as how the Lord confirms His will through the provision (or lack) of finances.

Please check my personal blog spot in the coming months for updates on this venture. www.dlipparelli.blogspot.com

Talking to God

Many people ask me how they can be praying for TI. Here are a few things…

That the Lord will take TI to where He is alive and working. I never pray and ask God to bless TI, but I ask that the Lord takes TI where He is alive, because I never want to be serving any place that the Lord isn’t alive and working.
For direction as we pray through and present a 2-5 year strategic plan. That it not be my will, but the Lord’s and that we, those giving direction, not be blinded by this world but focused on matters of eternity and the things of our Father’s heart.
That TI never becomes dependent on man but rather in the grace and reliance of God.
That those of us who have attached our name to TI will maintain hearts of humility and a willingness to go where the Lord directs.
Clear direction about India. I don’t want it to be about me.

I am deeply honored and humbled to be a part of TI. Though I began TI, it was not my vision, but the Lord’s. He could have just as easily used anyone else. I am continually amazed at the Lord’s faithfulness.

I can’t wait to see what this New Year brings and how the Lord is going to amaze all of us through His work.

I never want to be unreachable so if you have thoughts, questions or comments about anything, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me directly.

“Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:12-14

Daniel Lipparelli

Founder and International Director

daniel@transformedinternational.org

www.transformedinternational.org

Eastern University for the Neema Project

2010-11-15T03:56:00.000-08:00

Today I spent 8 hours at Eastern University selling crafts with Jeriah, one of my old interns who also spent 2 weeks in Kenya with me in 2009. My goal was to raise $500 for the NEEMA PROJECT today.

After selling:
103 individual sales (an average of $13/sale)
60 regular scarves
61 donation scarves (minimum donation of $5)
12 handmade purses
an assortment of other kenyan goodies

.......our GRAND TOTAL for the sale was $1342!!!!!!! I can barely contain my excitement. Each $1 is one closer to getting the new home, in a safer location, with the ability to serve even MORE teen girls! I LOVE being a part of this! I LOVE when people say, "what is the neema project?"

Colleges are an interesting place to sell because people don't have as much money, but as soon as they buy they love to text their friends and tell them to come by. They have invited us back again next month!

This was an especially fun place for me to sell because it is where I received my Master's Degree in International Development, which lead me to Kenya for 3 months. During that time, I developed a desire to find out more about street girls and what is being done to help them. Which lead to me, being in Kadawa Village for a church opening when someone said you should check out what TI is doing in Kitale.....and so the journey begins!

Thanks again, for letting us be part of this beautiful vision of RESCUING, REHABILITATING, and REINTEGRATING these beautiful girls back into the Kenyan culture. May they grow to be women of dignity, grace, and beauty.

Serving together,
Faith Wise

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY EVENT

2010-11-07T01:22:00.000-07:00

We are closer to the goal of building a new home and school for the NEEMA girls thanks to the generous students at West Chester University!

Brenna Flynn (pictured below), organized a sale at her university on Friday and Monday. Our hope was to make at least $1000 and we ended up making around $1065 to put towards the neema construction project. We made close to 80 sales and found that many people were delighted to walk away with a new scarf or a bag made with love by one of the neema girls.

It was exciting for me to see each customer sifting through the bags, trying to find which fabric they loved the most. It took me back to the market in Kitale where I bargained and sometimes battled to purchase the fabric at a fair price. It then took me to the days of traveling by bike taxi or motorcycle taxi with James to the house to work with the girls and provide some encouragement while Joyce taught them to make the bags.

I love being apart of this work! I love sharing the stories of the neema girls! I love the memories of seeing them find dignity and worth, seeing them learning new skills and gaining confidence. What a privilege!

THANK YOU to all of you who added to your personal collection and contributed to this cause! Each dollar is being used to make a difference in the life of a girl living in Kenya!

- Faith Wise

Mosaic Designs

Journey Of Faith

NEEMA Girls Project Update

2010-11-05T00:25:00.000-07:00

It’s been almost two and a half years since the opening of the Neema Girls Home. In those two plus years, there have been losses, such as girls leaving the home and going back to the street, but thankfully, there has been an overwhelming amount of gain. This project has been the most successful and rewarding project I have ever been a part of.

We have six beautiful young women: Sharon, Elizabeth, Metrine, Rebekah, Olivia and Lillian; who have grown so much since each of them came to the home. None of them knew English when they first came to Neema but now all of them are more than capable of having a one on one conversation with us in English. None of them knew how to sew but now all of these young women know how to make dresses, shirts, shorts, skirts and school uniforms.

In December of this year, two of them, Sharon and Rebekah, will be graduating from Neema. We will be assisting them in starting their businesses by giving them their own sewing machines. We will train them in financial management and monitor them over the next year. Sharon and Rebekah are ready and excited to see what the next chapter in life holds for them. We, too, are excited to see what the next chapter holds for them. This is what it’s all about, getting these girls off the street or out of at-risk situations and building them up, loving them, educating them and giving them the tools they need to succeed. And then the wonderful moment comes, when we sit back and watch them spread their wings and fly!

This project has been such a successful one, that we are expanding it in 2011. We have land to build a home and school that are large enough to assist 30 young women like Sharon, Elizabeth, Metrine, Rebekah, Olivia and Lillian. We are hoping to begin the construction in March and have it completed in time to bring in new young women by June. Although it’s still some time away, we are excited to meet the next group of women that we will be able to teach, love and share life with.

Thank you to everyone who has loved, prayed for and supported this group of young women. We look forward to continuing the journey with all of you.

-Meredith

Shimo 2 Project, Teen Mother's Get a Fresh Start

2010-11-02T03:37:00.000-07:00

In the Kenyan culture, single teen mothers are greatly looked down upon. Not only are they a young woman, but they have a child and no husband. Some people in their community see them as prostitutes, though many of these girls were raped.

A rising heartbeat of Transformed International is to transform the lives of teen mothers, by giving them a skill that can help pull them out of poverty and into self acceptance, having the ability to provide for themselves.

This is a new project started two months ago. The girls are making change purses out of recycled shopping bags.

The process: the bags are collected from the dump by widows and single mothers. We then buy the bags from them and hand them over to the 11 teen mothers from our neighboring slum, Shimo La Tewa. These girls come to the TI compound one day a week to meet with our interns to work on this project. After they have made the bag, it is handed over to the girls from our Neema Project who sew in a lining and zipper.

This is a practical product that can also be sold in Kenya by the girls making them.

In January 2011, six of these girls will have the privilege of getting a years’ training in how to sew and make clothes. After that year, they will be given their own sewing machine and taught how to establish a business.

This project is giving these girls a new hope and a new beginning.

Shimo Teen Mothers Project Update

2010-10-26T05:13:00.001-07:00

For the past year, this group of 5 teen mothers have been learning how to sew, one of the few skills women in Kenya can do to support their families. With TI staff member, Joyce, these girls have become very versed in the things they now know how to make. They too have been working on a project that TI will sell back in the States and Canada.

I had the opportunity this past week to visit the girls in their homes in the slums. I was reminded once again why I love being here so much. I asked the girls how their lives have changed since they began this project. Each one talked about how they have gone from being looked down upon because they are teen mothers with no husband, to being respected and admired for their ability to now sew and bring a small income for their family.

Next month these 5 girls will graduate from the program with TI. We will give them a sewing machine and help them begin their own business in the slums. Our hope is that they can continue to support their child, gain in social status and one day, pull out of the slum life.

Thank you to the people from the U.S. who made this project possible. Your generous donation has changed the lives of 5 young women who will never be the same again.

Pictured below is one of the projects the girls have been making. It is a portable checker board. The girls are paid per finished product so they can support their child. The money from the sales of the checker boards will be used to support more girls like them.

- Daniel

TI 2010 Interns Pictures of the Week

2010-10-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

Neema Girls Project

Veronica Home

Shimo (2) Girls project

Neema Girls Project

InStep Foundation

www.instepfoundation.com

Pictures from Veronica Home

2010-10-11T06:24:00.000-07:00

2010 TI Interns

2010-09-25T02:02:00.000-07:00

The TI 2010 internship program is in full swing as we are on week three. The interns, from the U.S. and Canada, hit the ground running with all new projects and programs introduced this year.

A normal weekday begins with group morning devotions followed by the projects of the day. The interns are learning to do large group menu planning, shopping in the traditional markets, and cooking the local food.

They are working with TI’s Veronica home doing after school tutoring with the children, Bible studies, decorating the children’s rooms and playing with the kids.

The interns are being stretched in their weekly visit to the children’s ward at the District Hospital. They go in for a few hours to talk with the children, play games, teach them songs, color and pray for the sick.

They are also meeting with a new group of young teenage mothers. 11 girls from the slums are coming weekly to learn a new skill from the interns. A skill that will help them by providing a small income in their future.

One of the favorite days of the week for the interns is when they go play with babies at Instep Foundation, a children’s home for babies run by some close friends of TI’s. www.rehemaministries.com

Above all, the interns are learning what it means to live in community and to be the body of Christ.
More to come…

Veronica Home, Finished Construction

2010-08-14T04:48:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased with the finished construction of the Veronica Home! The kitchen and second boy’s room are ready to move in. We will make the final touches, painting, etc. in September.

JOHEBETO Project Update (April 1st)

2010-08-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

What an amazing week it has been at the Johabeto site here in Kitale! Being the largest group, team 3 arrived on the scene with trowels blazing, and mortar flowing like a waterfalls out of the wheelbarrows. In about three days this team has gotten all the exterior walls up to tie beam height on the second home. If that's not enough of an accomplishment about 3,000 bricks have been laid on the interior walls and are around chest height.

The tie beam has been formed using lumber and poured with concrete all the way around the outside of building one. Getting the concrete up was done one pan at a time.

All of the walls in the first building have reached the tie beam level with the exception of just a few blocks.

The windows have all been set on building one this week, along with one of the two side doors. There was a slight mix up with one of the front windows to the right of the front door, it was set but it swung open the wrong way. After removed and replacing it with the correct window it opened in the proper direction.

Robert had to leave at noon to catch his flight back home today, but he wouldn't put his tools down until the very last minute. He came to the work site with his bags packed and worked till noon, commendable dedication for sure.After such a great week, we called it a day at 4pm so the team could get back to the compound shower, and walk to town to have a nice celebration dinner. We at the Pinewood restaurant and after about two or three hours of waiting for our food all 19 of us had been served. It was a great time and great food and at a very reasonable price! It was a perfect way to end such a great work week.Thank God for the strength that he has given us and the accomplishments he has provided this week. The glory is always Gods may we work in accordance to his will. God bless everyone involved and following this project.
Adam

http://johabeto.blogspot.com/

JOHEBETO Project Update (July 25th)

2010-07-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of hard work today was a time for team 2 to clean up their living quarters and get ready for their departure. They refused to say that it was a goodbye, but insisted they will be coming back. A piece of them will be left here forever and they will carry Kitale with them everywhere they go from this day on. It is sure that their lives have been profoundly changed, never to be the same.

The walls went up both on the inside and out. The exterior ones have reached the height of 7 feet. At this heights there will be an 8 inch beam of poured concrete with steal reinforcing rods which will hold everything together, and is known as a ring beam or tie beam. The inside walls have been going up and a few of them are at tie beam height and the rest will surely be there soon.

Also there has been one section of floor slab poured in this building that the small office wall and toilet room wall off of the master bed room will be built.
some of the windows and doors have been delivered to the sight and will be installed after the tie beam is poured.

The lower building the footers have all been completed and the floor has been leveled. Walls are set-up and have started to go up. Things are being done a little differently in this building, so 5 of the 18 sections of the floor slab have been poured.

We thank God for giving the team the strength to work, and for keeping everyone safe. May he watch over the following two teams and receive the glory of everything accomplished.

http://johabeto.blogspot.com/

300 Families Get Food

2010-07-22T04:12:00.000-07:00

Last Friday 300 families, mostly widows caring for orphaned children, received enough maize and beans to feed their families for two months.

Thanks to the funding and work by the Hope 2 Kenya team, from North Bay, Canada, these families have a renewed hope of survival in a time of great poverty.

On Thursday, the Hope 2 Kenya team, TI team along with the Shimo Girls project and Neema Girls, took 40,000 pounds of maize and beans and repacked and separated them for two major food distributions the following day.

Friday began with the first distribution in MailiSaba where TI has been working with widows and orphans for the past four years. In only two hours the maize and beans were distribution to the 150 families as each family received their sack.
The team then moved to the Shimo La Tawa slums where an addition 150 families received food.

In all, around 1,500 people will be fed for two months by the food provided.

Year after year I am moved by the poverty seen in both of these locations. I am also moved by the constant work these widows do to provide for their family and to survive one more day.

My favorite scene from Shimo was when the Hope 2 Kenya team performed songs with the widows who sat patiently waiting for their name to be called. Their smiles and joy are engraved in my memory.Thank you to the TI crew who organized the distribution and to the Hope 2 Kenya team and donors who made it possible.

www.hope2kenya.org

We Remember Veronica

2010-07-13T23:42:00.000-07:00

It was one year ago today that our child Veronica passed away. She brought so much life and joy to everyone around her; she danced like none other; she was eight years old; she was HIV positive. As I watched them lower the child sized coffin into the ground a year ago, I wondered why God allows a child to die.

Veronica’s death gave life to a new project idea, a home for orphans with HIV. A place where they would get the nutrition, medication and care they needed.

Thanks to Hope 2 Kenya from North Bay Canada, a dream became a reality. Hope 2 Kenya funded the buying of the land and renovation and remodeling of the house, a house where fifteen children now call home.

This past Sunday we were honored to have the Hope 2 Kenya team visit the Veronica Home for the first time. Joining the team was Cathy who used to sponsor Veronica. Cathy and the team planted a tree in memory of Veronica. Not a memory of her death but of the life she lived and the joy she brought to others.

The hard word of the team impressed the children and the staff as the entire inside of the house was painted and each room took on a new personality.

The kids were overjoyed as the team handed out gifts including hand made quilts.

On behalf of Transformed International and the children who live at the Veronica Home now and who will one day move into it, thank you to Hope 2 Kenya for caring abundantly for these children. Also thank you to The Rotary Club of North Bay and North Bay Nipissing for your donations and I.O.D.E. Manitou Chapter for furnishing the home. Although a half world away, you have changed the lives of many.

JOHABETO Project Update (July 10th)

2010-07-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

With the first segment completed Team 1 has accomplished a monumental task by the grace of God. Starting with little more than an open field with a few bricks on it and a pile of metal, to having three structures standing with completed rooves.

The team also moved massive amounts of earth leveling what will be the floor base and 100s of tons more in the preparation of the footers/foundation.

As of yesterday the team finished pouring concrete in all but two little sections for all of the footers for the northern dormitory.

The team pushed themselves possibly further then they thought possible, overcoming the exhaustion of 12 hour work days to give a great new beginning for the second team whom arrived in Kitale today.

Yesterday was an amazing farewell from all of the locals at the work site. They had a tree for every member of team that we all planted one by one as the sung and danced and lifted us up showing their joy and appreciation for all the work that everyone had done.

Today team 1 cleaned up their living quarters to prepare for Team 2s arrival. There was a brief overlaps of the two teams, about half an hour, just long enough to meet and give a few little words of wisdom. As team 1 headed for the airstrip in the faithful matatu (van/bus)

team 2 headed out on foot to town with the hope that I could remember the way, and get them to the restaurant. which was a step in faith since it was 3pm and most had not eaten all day and been traveling. Getting to town wasn't as much of a problem as finding the restaurant which looked so much different two weeks ago while half in a daze from the whirlwind tour of Egypt. however after doing a little grocery shopping for the week at Transmatt we were able to find the restaurant and get some prepared food.

here is where the kids of the kingdom are currently staying

and after the johabeto project they will live under these rooves
but before that walls and windows and doors all to come in the next few weeks...

We would like to thank everyone for their contributions, both financial and spiritually through prayer. Without them this project would be impossible, as some of the team members have said we have set unrealistic goals; but God has blessed every part of this project and everyone involved both here and abroad and with faith mountains can be moved and unrealistic goals can be met, Glory be to God!

http://johabeto.blogspot.com/

JOHABETO Project Update (July 4th)

2010-07-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

We awoke today with much anticipation and excitement because today we traveled to the town of Soy to meet Marting and his family at their home. Our bus from Kitale was filled with visitors eager to spend time with the children for whom we've traveled such a long distance.

After a joyful service, we headed to Martin's home and received exceptional hospitality. The time we spent with the kids helped us to understand what our project is all about. We are all so excited to see Martin's family move to their new home later this summer.

This 4th of July was spent in the company of dear friends we are blessed to have. We took a break from celebrating our nation to celebrate another. Martin and his family shine brightly in western Kenya and are well deserving of a new place to call home. Team 1 can't wait to get back to work tomorrow.

http://johabeto.blogspot.com/

Veronica Home Update

2010-06-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

The first kids moved into the Veronica Home two months ago today. TI bought a property with a small house already there. In the past two months, a lot of renovations and additions have taken place.

We began with inside of the house by putting up walls and fixing the roofing. The crew then moved to outside and added a large veranda where the kids will be able to take their meals. We also added a water tower with a 5000 liter water tank and new gate.

Earlier this month a team from Pennsylvania began the construction of two mud and grass huts. When finished, these huts will be for housing small teams and interns.

This week the construction crew moved to the back of the house where they are building a second room for the boys and a kitchen.

Next week a team from Canada will be painting the whole inside of the house.

The children at the home are doing amazing. It has been wonderful to watch them these past few months as their health has continued to improve. The kids love their new home.

Keep an eye out for more updates.

-Daniel

JOHABETO June Project Update

2010-06-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

TI his honored to host 4 teams this summer who are building a children's home for the JOHABETO Project. The first team arrived on Saturday and set to work on Monday. I will be posting some of their blogs on the TI web page so you can stay updated.

TI is hoping to get 28 of the orphans at the JOHABETO Project sponsored through our sponsorship program.

Keep posted for updates every few days...

- Daniel

Today marked the first day of construction for the Johabeto project, which was very exciting and full of action. As most first days of anything there were the normal unknowns, things that were forgotten and glitches. Most all of that was to be expected. what wasn't expected was such a large turn out of workers, about twenty members of the community, that had came to work and show support. With all of their help we were able to get the ground broken and prepared for two of the building and half of the third. We had started off a little bit on the wrong foot digging the holes in the wrong place, trying to stay busy before the designer of the buildings had arrived to inform us on the correct procedure, but it was easily corrected. Once we received the instructions and help from an experienced builder we were able to get the columns and trusses up for the first building. what an amazing first day, that has us all tired yet pumped up to get the roof on the first building and the frames up for the second building tomorrow. Glory be to God!

To read more, visit http://johabeto.blogspot.com/

TI Kenya Internship Program, Reflections

2010-05-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

Transformed International is only months away from the fifth internship program over the past four years. We can’t help but to reflect on seventeen interns from four different countries who have passed through the three month program.

Some of these interns took a few minutes to talk about their experiences and what they are doing now.

2007 Interns

My life has changed dramatically over the past few years! After returning from Kenya I utilized my degree by working as a medical social worker in a pediatric cancer unit at a hospital in Dallas, TX. Spending time with orphans, street children and desperate families, as well as working towards the start of the Neema Project while in Kenya, renewed my passion for sharing the hope of Christ with hurting people. Having confirmed my call to international work while serving in Kenya, the Lord began working in me and drawing my heart back overseas. I am now serving with an organization in Marseille, France where I've had the opportunity to build relationships with university age students and am currently working on starting a new project to reach prostitutes for the Gospel! To this day, I continue to picture the faces of those I met in Kenya and am amazing at the way God is still using them to draw me closer to himself! - Kate

Since I was an intern at TI, I have completed one year of University in the study of Politics and International Relations. An opportunity presented itself for me to come back to Kenya with TI in September of 2009 being involved in a variety of project and having new experiences. I gladly accepted the offer and am still in Kenya now. I am currently looking into pursuing some form of education in Kenya. - Jared

After returning home from Kenya in fall of 2007, packing my bags and heading back to Africa for an extended period of time would have been the easiest thing for me to do. However, God seems to go beyond 'easy' and calls us to obedience instead. I enrolled in a university in Oregon where I'm currently finishing my bachelor's degree in Biology for the primary purpose of going to dental school. My desire is to bring the kingdom of God to various nations of the earth by combining my passion for dentistry and love for different people groups. I believe Kenya was a launching pad for me into other nations and I've been privileged to travel to several other countries since to administer dental care and love those who have nothing. - Jessica

2008 Interns

Since leaving Kenya I have continued with school in Southern California. Last summer I spent two months in India with a team from my church. The unique cultural experiences I had in Kenya helped significantly in making the cultural changes in India much easier to adapt to. I believe I was also more effective in the ministry I did there because of the experiences in Kenya. I just graduated from university with a bachelors in Liberal Studies and started my teaching credential; which I should complete May of 2011.

Within five years I would like to move to northwest Africa and begin teaching in an international or embassy school. Once I learn the language and am comfortable with the culture I would like to move into a more impoverished area and eventually start a school for children who do not have access to an education. Working with street children in Kenya inspired me to start a school where free education can be given with the foundation of Christ. - Sarah

Since my internship in Kenya, I knew that I wanted to work with children. I just started working in Kingswood where I run an educational activity center for children and teens. I’m leading outdoor activities and love working with the kids. It is cool to be able to make a difference in their lives. Spending time with TI in Kenya impacted my heart. There is a burning desire in me to one day return. - Tim

The internship program was a life changing experience for me. It was the forth time I had been to Africa but never for three months and never for the purpose of working on who I was and changing things about myself.

After the internship program, I was invited to go back to Africa and work with Transformed International for six months. I had an amazing time during those 6 months.

I am now taking classes to become a life guard and working with a Young Life in my area, and loving every minute of it. God has ALWAYS provided from me through all of this and is ALWAYS teaching me some thing new, and for all that I am thankful to Him and praise Him. - Andrew

Since coming home from Kenya a year and a half ago, I've realized firstly that I want to work with an Africa-related organization, whether it's in or out of the continent, as long as it's associated with aid work here. Secondly, I gained an enormous interest in HIV/AIDS during my time with TI. A few young kids that we worked closely with were HIV+ and since then some of them have passed away while others have thrived and are now testing HIV-, which is absolutely fascinating to me. After Kenya I spent a month traveling around India with my sister, looking at various AIDS projects and clinics. I spent the rest of the year in Australia looking into grad school and taking some basic AIDS education courses, and am just finishing a three-month trek around South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya, visiting various projects and schools.

I'm looking into a Masters Program in International Public Health, and hope to do additional AIDS-related internships in Africa and eventually work with an organization that works specifically with HIV+ children. - Andrea

I am graduating from social work/social care this June and looking into living in Africa and working with women and kids in the fall. My time in Kenya as an intern impacted me a lot. I fell in love with the Kenyan people and I also came to appreciate community much more. Since going back to Finland in February 2009 I have finished my thesis, traveled around Africa for a few months and worked with physically and mentally handicapped young people. - Ina

2009 Interns

Since I have been home from Kenya, I have been building better relationships with my family. I am working on keeping God at the forefront of my mind. I plan to travel and do music. Because of my time in Kenya what I am doing now has been drastically changed. I made and kept relationships that are helping me to achieve musical dreams that I have had for a long time. I am also seeing both from the program and now how people genuinely love each other in an honest way. I am still growing. - Scott

Since being in Kenya in 2009, I have found a job and have become more involved with Transformed International. The internship program inspired me to become more proactive about the things that God has placed on my heart. In the fall, I will start school with the goal of becoming a nurse, with hopes of working with sex slaves and abused children. – Jenn

While in Kenya, God changed my life and really showed me how to rely on Him and trust Him completely. I made some incredible friendships that I couldn't imagine living without and I am so thankful for what God did in me through those people. - Stephanie

While in Kenya I was able learn what it means to be in community, I learned both the joys and the struggles. I had a passion for working with a group of young teenage mothers and helped to create a project where they made greeting cards that are now being sold in the U.S. and Canada. The project was so successful that I was asked to stay for a few months after the internship program to see the program continue on. – Hannah

Since my internship in 2009 I've noticed a change in the way I look at things… I am much more aware of ungratefulness in myself and others and have improved by finding new things to thank God for almost daily. This has helped me to relinquish more control of my life to God.

The variety of activities I participated in during my internship gave me a lot more confidence in my abilities, giving me the opportunity to better evaluate the uses of my talents in the present. Currently, I am enrolled in a college course in Constitutional Law, continue to be employed as an administrative assistant, and am working to get my own business off the ground.

The people I was surrounded with in Kenya and the focus on true community made me feel more complete than I ever had before; it seemed like we were accomplishing what the body of Christ was meant to accomplish. When I returned home I realized how important it is to find others who will support me and will accept my support while we grow together." - Julia

After being in Kenya, I realize that I don't think I will ever have a perfectly clear direction in where my life is going, and I I'm finally okay with that. My time in Kenya exposed me to the gifts that I have and how to use them. I did a lot of painting there; I brought that passion home and that’s the direction my life is going now. In the next journey, I’ll be using my art to glorify Christ, in whatever way I can. I continue to see an understanding of God's heart, my own heart, and waiting for whatever's next. – Stephanie

I’m so thankful to these interns because they are the ones who have made this program successful.

I’m looking forward to this fall’s program.

- Daniel

JOHABETO Project Update

2010-05-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

The JOHEBETO project, a partner project of TI, is progressing quickly. Things are alive on the two acre plot of land where bricks are being made and a well dug. All of this is in preparation for the upcoming two months of construction that will be taking place this summer. Two homes for orphans and a kitchen are going to be built.

Last month, TI logged profiles on all of the orphans from the JOHEBETO project and will be including them into our sponsorship program in June 2010. The sponsorship of these children will include the day-to-day running of the children’s home, providing food, education, clothes and medical care.

Keep an eye out for more updates.

- Daniel

More Than Just Food

2010-04-12T07:31:00.000-07:00

From time to time the $30 a month sponsorship money can do more than just provide food and education. Sometimes it builds a house. The Linda Family is cared for by a grandmother who takes care of her 8 orphaned grandchildren, all sponsored through Transformed International.

When I first met this family in November of 2008, my heart was broken. It was one of the rare cases that I had to walk out of the assessment because I couldn't hold back the tears. Linda, who was 10 years old, seemed to be the leader of the family. She prepared the meager meals for the other children. Linda was HIV positive and passed away a few months later. Since her death, the state of the family has improved drastically as each child became sponsored. $30 a month doesn't seem like that much, but when you multiply that by 8 kids, it adds up quickly. TI was able to set aside a few dollars every month for the last year until we had enough to build a new home for the family. Sure, its made of stick and mud, but to them, it's a new life.

Sometimes that $30 a month can build a new house for a family, who not too long ago, had no hope at all.

Thank you to the people who sponsor the 8 children from Linda's Family.

-Daniel

Thirty Days to Make a Difference (Update)

2010-03-25T05:35:00.000-07:00

Transformed International thanks the students and faculty at E.T. Richardson Middle School for the funds raised during their Thirty Days To Make a Difference fund raiser. These funds were raised to help educate the children at the Hope Bright Future School in Soweto Slums, Nairobi.

The school raised $3,031!

You may never fully realize the impact you helped to make in the lives of these 200 children who would otherwise not receive any education at all.

- Daniel

Shimo Girl’s Project Update

2010-03-23T05:06:00.000-07:00

The 2009 TI intern girls began a project with a group of single teenage mothers where they would make greeting cards. With each card they made, they were paid something that was able to help them to feed their child. In only 5 months, the girls made over 8,000 cards. These cards are now being sold in the U.S. and Canada by our TI teams.

From the money one girl earned, she was able to return to high school. The other 5 girls expressed interest in learning a trade that would allow them to sustain their families in the future.

Thanks to a generous donation from individuals from Pennsylvania, we were able to buy five sewing machines. The girls are now in their second week of tailoring classes.

After 9 to 12 months of classes, each one of the girls (who are now between the ages of 15 and 18 years old) will be able to begin their own business in their homes.

When I daily see the overwhelming poverty all around, I wonder if we are making any difference at all, but then I see the joy on the faces of these five teen mothers and I know that a difference is being made. If we lived our whole life and only impacted one person, we have succeeded.

- Daniel

His People Radio Interview

2010-02-24T07:16:00.001-08:00

The Veronica Home

2010-02-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

In July of last year, TI experienced a major loss. One of our HIV orphaned girls, Veronica, passed away. It came as a shock and exposed the need for a special place for orphans with AIDS to be cared for, a place where they can get the unique care that they need. TI and Hope 2 Kenya set a dream in motion to build a small home for these children.

This week, after five months of searching for the perfect spot, I am excited to announce that TI bought one acre of land for this project. It already has a three bedroom house with electricity and running water. After only a few renovations, the project will begin.

We plan to construct an outdoor kitchen and a few other small buildings this year.

The land is large enough for us, in the near future, to move the Neema project here as well. We would like to build a house big enough for 15 teenage girls and a block of classrooms where the girls will be learning to read, write, tailoring and hairdressing.

Please check for updates on the Veronica Home and Neema Project to see how you can get involved.

Thirty Days to Make a Difference

2010-01-31T03:40:00.000-08:00

The students & faculty of E.T. Richardson Middle School would like to make a difference this year by reaching out to children living in the slums of Soweto near the city of Nairobi in Kenya. There, in Soweto, is a place called the Hope Bright Future School. HBF provides an education and a healthy lunch for children living on the fringe of society. Without HBF these children would face a grim future. Our goal is to partner with Transformed International an NGO and registered nonprofit organization that assists HBF through its Soweto School Project.

How much does it cost for a child to attend the Hope Bright Future School in Soweto? For just $100.00 a year children receive a uniform, education. In addition students are served a healthy meal each day.

Our goal is to make sure 50 students can attend HBF. To do this we will need to raise $5000.00 which amounts to about $5.00 per student attending E.T. Richardson Middle School. Beginning February 1, 2009 the E.T. Richardson Middle School community is going to dedicate 30 days to make a difference for the children of Soweto. During this time we will hold events to generate awareness and raise money toward our goal.

http://thirtydays.wikispaces.com/

Third Annual TI Christmas Party

2009-12-15T03:24:00.000-08:00

I’ve not had as many proud moments as I did today. I was moved to tears as I looked out over the sea of children joyfully playing, seemingly with no care in the world. How could such a number of young children be touched in such a way, given new hope and new life?

I’m so grateful to all the people who have given of their resources, no matter how small, to change the life of a child in Kenya. The magnitude of the impact TI is making was so evident today as over 250 people gathered in one place to celebrate the provision they received over the year and to celebrate the changed lives.

As each year passes and a new year dawns, I’m in awe of the growth of TI and the number of people being reached through such a small and young organization. I’m also in awe of the people gathering around a cause to make these things possible. And if the growth in one year has been so huge, I can only wonder what this next year will bring.

Thank you to the wonderful people from NewMarket Alliance Church who made this year’s Christmas party possible and thank you to the TI staff and team who worked so hard to provide food, gift bags and a lot of fun for the orphans.

Thank you to everyone who has made another successful year possible. It couldn’t be done without each one of you.

- Daniel Lipparelli

Fresh start for Teen Mothers

2009-12-08T05:16:00.000-08:00

Moureen, Eunice, Esther, Marysella, Caroline, and Caroline M. These are the names of six girls living in the Shimo slum just down the road from the TI compound. All of these girls are between the ages of 13 and 17, and all but one of them are single mothers. These girls were once in school and were thriving students. However, various events - for some a pregnancy, for others the loss of their parents and lack of school fees - have caused them to drop out of school. Since then, the girls have been working so hard just to make enough money to feed their families. In October these six girls started coming to the TI compound and learning to make greeting cards. We keep track of the number of quality cards they each make and they are paid accordingly.

It is amazing the way God has used this project to take the girls from being looked down on in their community to positions of respect. Making these cards three days a week is helping them support their families. One of the girls said that since she started making the cards her family has not gone hungry.

Through TI and the card project, these girls now have hope for themselves and for their families. The possibilities for them to go further are just beginning to unfold. God certainly has amazing things in store for each one of these girls!

- Hannah Bishop (TI Intern)

Maize Update

2009-12-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

I am excited to report that all the money needed for buying maize for TI projects for 2010 has been donated. Over $15,000 was raised and donated to go tours the maize. The maize is stored in several different locations around the country, ready to feed many this coming year.

Because TI was able to get maize right from the farmers after harvest, we were able to get each 200 lb sack for $5 less than our original budgeted expectation. This saved us over $2,000.

The TI crew feels relived knowing that all the staple maize is now in store. Having this will help offset the massive inflation of food cost in Kenya.

Thank you to the individuals, families, groups and churches who donated to this cause. Your donations will make a difference in the lives of many this coming year.

Fundraising Event!

2009-11-27T00:15:00.000-08:00

A special thanks to Nicole Jeff’s who organized a successful fundraising event that brought in over $5,300 for the maize for TI 2010 projects. TI is so thankful for the countless hours Nicole and her team put into planning this event and for its success. Also, thank you to the following people for your hard work:

Rachel and Josiah Gordon
Jenn and Stu Oliver
Amy and Matt Nieland
Kate Morawetz
Stacey Kaniuk
Julia and Blair Cowie
Claudie and Miguel Schlereth