END Malaria TOGETHER!

END MALARIA TOGETHER! 

In March of 2015, I had been living in Kenya for about three months and came down with a severe case of malaria. I had been sick with malaria for weeks and the medicine just wasn’t working. We were about 10 hours from Nairobi by car and we decided that it was time that I seek hospital medical attention. We had to travel during the night-on roads that are quite scary- and I was in an immense amount of pain and even at points delirious. There were so many crazy things that happened along the way to Nairobi and I know that God had HIS hand upon us as we went. We arrived late into the night and the next morning went to a hospital. I was immediately admitted because my case of malaria had gotten worse. I was in the hospital for 3 days. Many of those hours and minutes I knew that my life was nearing the end. BUT by God’s grace and goodness, I turned a small corner on the third day of medication. It was a long long long road to recovery but I am thankful to the Lord for His goodness in my life. 

I tell you all of this because I want you to understand what these children and adults go through across Africa every. single. day.  Malaria is a disease that is transmitted from person to person by infected mosquitoes. 

 Here are some alarming statistics- WHO facts (https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/malaria/en/)

1. The disease claims the life of a child every 2 minutes.
2. Annual deaths from malaria 438,000 people- 80% occur in Africa
3. 72% of malaria fatalities are children younger than 5 years old
4. Children miss up to 50% of school days due to malaria 

….We are raising money to put screens in every window of the Encouragement children’s home to help PREVENT malaria from being a continuous burden in their life. 

Please consider giving even just $5 for this cause. We will be heading to Kenya in June 2019 to install these windows! Every little bit counts….lets END MALARIA together! 

https://www.gofundme.com/45nhjd-end-malaria

At the hospital in Nairobi, Kenya

Upcoming Exciting News!

Here we go again....I am excited to announce that I will be heading back to Webuye, Kenya in the summer of 2019! I honestly cannot believe I am finally at a place of peace about this. Many of you may think I am crazy or even stupid but I can tell you that I believe with all of my heart that God has called me back there. The tentative plan is to go for about 7-8 weeks next summer with a small team. A few of the team members will be going for a 2-3 week stay and then Hannah Aho and I will spend the rest of the time there with Vic, the man who started the orphanage.

My journey with traveling and sickness has been tough and I can honestly tell you that last year at this time I was not ready to even consider returning to the orphanage. However, over the last year, God has continually brought this ministry to my mind and heart and I believe that it is the right time to head there.  For those of you that have not heard my past story of dealing with malaria, typhoid, and parasites you can read my previous blog here:

                                    Part 1: http://katlynapollock.blogspot.com/2015/09/malaria-and-mepart-1.html  

 Part 2: https://katlynapollock.blogspot.com/2015/09/malaria-and-mepart-2.html

     One year later: https://katlynapollock.blogspot.com/2016/03/one-year-later.html

Our main goal for this particular trip is to raise money to buy screens to put in every window and door in the building. Why screens you might ask?? Well as you know, malaria is a very real sickness and one of the biggest ways to prevent this is to NOT get bit by mosquito's. Well, without screens in the windows and doors it can be very challenging to keep mosquito's away from you. Can you imagine the difference this will make in these kids lives?! Sleeping with the windows open but without getting attacked by mosquito's! Many of you may know that they do have mosquito nets and that does allow some protection from the mosquito's, but from experience, they are not the greatest at keeping those little biting machines away. AND they are extremely hot and uncomfortable. The need is great and I am excited that our team will be a part of purchasing and installing these amazing inventions :)

If you would like to help purchase a screen or maybe 2 or 3, please let me know. Any amount can help with this project!

As my team and I prepare for this trip we will update you all as quickly as possible.  We will be having a few different fundraising events and we will even be selling some t-shirts :) Be on the lookout for these events! The tentative date for departure is May 30, 2019.

Thank you for your support in my life and I am thankful for each and every one of you!