Counseling Ops

Well, its official that I'm leaving for orientation in Pearl River,NY on August 27th...that is if I raise the money. Seriously though, the financial train is rolling full steam ahead. Today I checked my Paypal account and received 2 more deposits. Thank you both. Also today I spoke to my regional coordinator on the phone. He gave me some interesting websites to check out and a counseling center to visit while I'm in Nairobi on an R&R visit. One website is similar to the "Ten Thousand Villages" stores around the country which offer equal exchange goods. The website is www.tearfund.org. It is mainly a micro finance organization that helps Kenyans to start their own business. Dave (my coordinator) and I talked about my friend Laura's recent trip to Kenya and how she felt the need to teach small business skills to the young people. She noticed that the young men and women had educations and MTV, however there were no jobs available so they are enraged and bored. One thing that I have been thinking about over the weekend is trying to figure out what kind of enterprise that the 20 somethings of Ikotos could get into. I have been supporting the Bead For Life organization, which offers employment and community development for women in Kampala, Uganda, so what can I do in my little town? Is it possible that I can be a connection in their own community development? Yesterday, my Dad made a comment that my friend Laura, who owns an outfitting store in Harper's Ferry, WV, maybe could buy walking sticks, made by the the people in Ikotos, and sell them in her store. I've been thinking about that, and once I get there and evaluate things, that could be an option (Well, Laura would have to be on board too). So, I'm excited for the possibilities one more step towards instilling hope in the 20-somethings.

The counseling center in Nairobi is called the Tamini Counseling Center. When I am in Nairobi I will check them out and get a sense of how they operate. While in Uganda for training I will try to check out a place called Dwelling Places. This one has a website that you can also check out: www.dwellingplaces.org

One other new happening is that I will be taking the GRE on the 22nd of June and will need all the prayer possible for the math section especially. I am applying for the Master's in Counseling department at WVU and will need an 800 total on the GRE. Although that is not too hard to obtain, knowing my math skills, I will need an 800 on the verbal section alone. For those who have just asked themselves the question "degree? I thought you are going to Africa?" Yes, you are correct, however I will be deferring my acceptance for a year and beginning the program in the Fall of '08.

I hope everyone is enjoying their late spring. The weather in West Virginia is beautiful!