One Big Bucket of Fish II

One Big Bucket of Fish II

by Scott Nordstrom

October 13, 2022

I wanted to pass along a second part of the story I posted on July 30th, from Mother Mary’s perspective.  The following is what she shared with us from Nairobi earlier this year.

My name is Mary Akinyi, I was born in Busia County, I am 34 years old. I have 5 children. I thank God for my five children namely, Deborah Nekesa, who is in class 7, Abigail Akinyi, Class 5, Rebecca Weche, Class 3, Laban Okello, PP2 and Davin Nafula Class 2.

The children are studying at Fortune learners Centre (Kayole Slum) under a scholarship program totaling Kshs 25,200 ($250 US) per term, meaning that for tuition I step in by paying Kshs 1800 ($18 US).

When it comes to employment, I work as a mobile domestic cleaner in peoples' homes starting from 8AM going to 3PM. I then take dried fish to the streets to sell from 4PM to 9PM.

I started this business in June this year. Minister Isaiah, the GO! Kenya Director, took me to Gikomba Market where I bought the dried fish at a cost of $37 US. I have been in this fish business for 2 months now, and I normally go to the market twice a week on Monday and Friday to get more stocks.

My inventory budget is usually around Kshs 1000 or 1500 ($10-15 US). I make a profit of Kshs 1,000-1500 ($10-15 US) twice a week.

I am able to take my profits to pay for school fees, and other domestic expenditure items such as food and socks for the children. The business has really helped me in that I can also afford sugar and the now costly maize flour which costs Kshs 200, ($2 US) per 2 kilo packet. Even when things are tough, I can still afford the 1 Kilo packet which is just enough for 1 meal for my family.

I thank Global Orphan Relief for helping me in setting up this business. You have secured my life to a better place and may God bless you very much.

We are pleased to continue to receive good reports from Mother Mary and her children. This woman left all along to care for five children, now has the means to forge ahead and hope for the future. One Big Bucket of Fish did get this all started for this family and our small investment and on going encouragement has changed everything for this family. I am learning that our King always provides more than enough. Amen!

We are appealing to all those involved with Global Orphan Relief and the Church Mobilization effort to continue praying for Good Samaritans throughout the world who are trusting in God so they might serve others who are in great need.

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Church Mobilization is our newest initiative launched in February 2022.  We are currently working with local area churches to co-host Great Commandment Workshops where we bring together multiple subject matter experts to discuss the why and how to serve the poor generally, and orphan children specifically.  We will track the impact of children served through this effort to justify continued investment; however, we have no plans to be funding the care of children through this initiative.

GCW Launch February 2022 (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi

GCW Launch February 2022 (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi

GCW Launch February 2022 (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi

GCW Launch February 2022 (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi

GCW Launch February 2022 (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi

GCW Launch February 2022 (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi

Beyond the financial commitment of the workshops, this effort is to be indigenous, self-propagating, and self-supporting.  Our objective is to engage local churches to expand our GO! network, mobilize the church body to serve orphaned children, and to advance the Kingdom through demonstrating the Gospel to others. 

Earlier this year we began the difficult work of developing a GO! Ambassador Network through our new Church Mobilization Initiative. We launched Kenya in February 2022, the Zambia launch is scheduled for October 2022, United States is projected to launch in Q1 2023, and India is projected to launch in Q2 2023. We are already impacting more than 1,600 vulnerable children, through 400 GO! Ambassador Network in Kenya.

Through these workshops we are:

Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care. As of October 2022, we serve 5,456 vulnerable children in Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Zambia. We provide this aid through our Field Partner & GO! Ambassador networks via our Home-based Care, Education, Nutrition, & Church Mobilization Initiatives.

Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 17-years. Scott has been instrumental in deploying 163 volunteers on 26 teams to the mission field, and has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia. Scott is a published author and has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally, regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.

You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Circle, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Church Mobilization or give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’ and select Church Mobilization | Great Commandment Workshop under the Fund designation.

Movement of FAITH   |   Voice of HOPE   |   Act of LOVE

 Global Orphan Relief (GO!) is a Christian relief agency serving vulnerable children and is a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations to GO!, or any charitable contribution processed through Network For Good Donor Advised Fund, are tax deductible to the extent of the law. If you prefer, you may provide gifts of support by sending via mail to the address above.