I was, like perhaps many of you, living in the United States, comfortable and secure, watching the world from afar. Commercials showing hunger and despair in many parts of the world seeming unreal. I wondered. Have we become so comfortable with our own lives that we are desensitized to suffering that exists in the world?

An event occurred that altered my thinking and my life. My brother challenged me to join him and his group for a week long “mission-type” trip in Guatemala. It was here that I became immersed in extreme poverty. It was real. It was uncomfortable.

I was determined to return, again, with a group of ten like-minded people. The idea was to build a home for a homeless family, but unfortunately, Covid hit and my plans were thwarted. I had made a commitment to myself and others in Guatemala and I did return (alone) with money donations for food bags, bunk beds and water systems. Seeing the joy and appreciation for these things….things we take for granted…clean, running water, food and beds to sleep in….this experience and realization influenced and directed my attention to Nigeria.

While Guatemala is absolutely stricken by poverty, Nigeria is drowning in impoverished conditions.

This is why my monetary donations as well as my devoted interest is in helping Caring Hands For Africa. They want to “uplift people,” giving them a hope for a better future through educational opportunities, skills to support themselves and their families, and always the ability to feed themselves and their families. Caring Hands For Africa, a subsidiary of Kenkaren Services Ltd. is building a garri mill to give the community a venue that they can be proud of and provide the ability to support themselves. I, personally, am proud to be a supporter of this worthy endeavor – Caring Hands For Africa.