Dear BOJATI helpers!
Message for the Easter report (May 6, 2023)
Most in Switzerland are happy about warmer temperatures, while we in Thailand are melting away in the heat. These differences are not only in the weather, but also in the wealth of the people. While some can afford everything, others are hungry and in need. BOJATI stands for help for self-help. Education and health are the cornerstones of our project. This year we have been able to secure minimum international health insurance for all kids with annual coverage of $1000.–. Accident and hospital costs are insured in the event of illness. The big advantage is that, in contrast to state „insurance“, you are treated immediately if you can show private insurance. Because state insurance only covers very little and is often unprofitable for the hospitals. Unfortunately, doctors‘ strikes are quite common in Kenya. This minimum insurance is a milestone in BOJATI’s 13-year history and a real step forward!
When I visited Kenya in 2006, I got 54 Kenyan shillings for one franc. Today the exchange rate is 154 Kenyan shillings. This means that living in Kenya became 3x more expensive! The country is sinking into poverty and inflation lacking everything. Then there was Corona and the great drought. The majority in Kenya hangs by a fine thread of poverty. Parents who cannot finance their children’s education and instead urge them to sell brooms or fruit on the street are no longer the exception but the rule and that is sad.
I would like to thank you even more for your support! We move little, compared to the suffering, but for our BOJATI kids it is the world and the gratitude and hope is great!
The Eastern Camp in a backpacker resort was intended to strengthen cohesion and enable new impressions. Unfortunately the weather was bad and the resort was nearing the end of the season making the menu useless. We’ll do better next time. Nevertheless, it was a welcome change from their everyday life for the kids and, as you can see from the Lenox report, also entertaining.
If you read the report carefully (I translated it into German with Google Translate) then you will also notice that father Abdilahi is going through a difficult time and the worries about his son Omar, along with his unemployment, weigh heavily on him. He needs help. Lenox and I are thinking of a small business that will give Him a job. Soup pot sale or a small chick farm – or maybe one of you has an idea. Lenox will talk to him about this to find out what he wants to do. We will support him in this. Extra donations for this challenge are very welcome! Just tag them „Father Abdilahi“! Thanks very much!
Finally, I have one more question. Do any of you have experience with Crowdfunding or know anything about it? We are always looking for new donors and count on your word of mouth and recommendation. www.bojati.org
My thanks go to Lenox, who is doing a great job in Kenya, to Thomas Vaderna, who takes care of our website and will soon be on the advisory board of the association, and to my elderly mother, who immediately felt at home in Kenya, even though she was already at the airport changeover counter was robbed and still loved the country.
I wish you all the best!
Best regards
Martin Hübscher
President BOJATI
BOJATI 