A Letter from Brenda Boone

Dear Friends,
Since my first trip to Meru, Kenya, which was the official opening of The Brenda Boone Hope Center (September 2006), there has been amazing progress. Of all the original 13 rescued girls, 10 have been placed in an extended family or foster care. The remaining girls will stay at the center until we find a home for them. We have six additional girls, one who is seven and so beautiful, that we have named her the model of the Hope Center. She was raped by a neighbor. She is now safe at the center but she has had to testify in court against the accused man several times. Having to testify has caused such fear in this little seven year old girl, that she has not been able to sleep for many nights. One of our out-patient girls was raped and is the only child to test positive for HIV. If a girl has been raped and we can catch it within 72 hours, we can provide her with a spermacide that will kill the HIV infection.

The cultural belief in this region of Kenya is that if a person with AIDS has sex with a virgin it will make the AIDS go away. This belief is still very prevalent in many tribes and practiced. We are reaching out to many chiefs and tribes to educate them regarding this notion and trying to change this belief. As many customs have developed throughout history, no one can explain the origin of this belief but we know it’s still being said and practiced.

In December of 06, the other part of the Hope Center officially started its skills training. This vocational skills training can accommodate girls who drop out of school before the eighth grade due to teenage pregnancy, abuse and many different circumstances. The program provides a certificate of completion in either tailoring, knitting, housekeeping or computers. Each girl has her own story that is beyond belief. One girl is a beautiful 15 year old who lost both parents to AIDS. She has a seven year old brother whom she now is raising on her own and they have no money, food or clothing. We enrolled her in the Tailoring class and after six months she will be certified to find employment as a tailor. We have about twenty seven girls in the first classes and they will be certified for employment by June 07. We have a partnership with the local college to teach the computer classes and in some cases may be the first time a child has seen a computer. The college is providing us with materials and teachers. We have ten computers and I know that this training will be greatly utilized. The girls that are enrolled in the sewing classes have seven brand new Singer sewing machines and we also have three large knitting machines. It is so fascinating to see how eager these young girls are to learn. This training is so vital as it keeps these young girls off of the streets and a possible life of prostitution, drugs and/or extreme poverty.

Another cultural change we are making in this community is dealing with psychological counseling. In the past it was unheard of and all matters of the family were kept within the family. Until recently there have not been a lot of trained counselors and this has been one of our biggest challenges at the center. So we are placing a lot of emphasis in the area of counseling. We provide a girl with counseling when she first arrives at the center as well as throughout her healing process while living at the center. We also provide outreach counseling sessions for one full day on a monthly basis to all the girls that have been placed in foster care.

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank those friends that donated to the large care package that I brought over to the center in February 07. We handed out pajamas to the girls and whether they fit or not, they did not want to take them off for anything. All the jeans, shoes, and sewing materials were handed out and were so appreciated. When you come from a background of having so little it does not take much to bring a smile or an expression of glee to these girls.

I sincerely hope you enjoy our website and if you find it in your heart to make a donation please know this goes to a great cause and one that helps create a nation of stronger girls. I also invite all of you to visit the center at anytime in Meru, Kenya, it will warm your heart beyond belief. If you have suggestions or any questions about how you can help our Hope Center and our mission, please write us at: bboonehopecenter@aol.com

Warm Regards,
Brenda Boone