See Your Donations at Work with OFDC’s Interactive Map (http://www.mapme.com/map/ofdc_projects)

I am continually amazed by technology, and even more so by those who actually know how to use it! Thanks to our overseas administrator, Patrick, and OFDC’s tech savvy Peace Corps volunteer, Megan, you can now follow all of OFDC’s projects on our cool, interactive map. Just click on one of the many OFDC “hotspots” to see where we work, what we do, and how your donations continue to make such a big impact! This is still a work in progress, and we intend to get photos uploaded soon. Remember, OFDC works in very remote areas, most of which have no electricity, so traveling two hours to an internet café and uploading photos can be a challenge. We hope you enjoy this map as much as we do! Please click on the map below.

New School Desks Provide Cause for Celebration at Ololoiboti Primary School

Thanks to a generous donation by the Marusi Family Foundation the children at Ololoiboti Primary School now have 50 brand new school desks! Ololoiboti Primary School is situated on a hill top in a small, remote farming community. Transportation, other than by tractor, is non-existent because there are no roads for vehicles to travel, only footpaths. Due to the hard work and dedication of the parents, who spent one week working tirelessly to repair the only bridge by which to access the school, OFDC was able to successfully deliver the desks via tractor. While the desks are clearly an instrumental starting point, it is the community involvement in this project that will leave a lasting impression. If they were not before, these parents are now directly invested in the education of their children. In turn, the children will sit at these desks with pride and strive to do well not just because of OFDC and your donation, but also because of their parents. Please see the photos below courtesy of Patrick Ngigi, one of OFDC’s amazing volunteer overseas administrators!

What the bridge looked like prior to being repaired by the parents.

According to an email from Patrick, "Some of the parents and the school head came in the tractor to receive the desks...They were so happy and as you can see they were overjoyed to receive the desks."

The parents also helped load the desks into the tractor trailer!

The desks are loaded, the bridge is repaired, and the children are eager to sit down and learn.

Community Shopping Night at Ten Thousand Villages

Come join us on April 23rd, 3-7pm! 10% of all purchases at Ten Thousand Villages will go to OFDC.

Where: Ten Thousand Villages. 1941 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City. (801) 485-8827

When: Friday, April 23rd 3:00-7:00 pm.

For more information call Sarah (801) 836-7265.

Remember, OFDC receives 10% of the total sales made ONLY between 3:00 and 7:00.

Kiramatisho Women's Group Receives a Microcredit Loan!

A group of 6 mamas in Oimerru, Kenya received their very first microcredit loan! The Kiramatisho (Caretaker) Group is very excited to now have the means to provide for themselves by raising goats and sheep and selling wool and the offspring.

Patrick Ngigi accompanied the mamas to market where they bought their first goats and sheep.

Over the course of a year the mamas are responsible for running their new business and caring for the animals. The mamas are responsible for paying back the loan, which will not only enable them to generate income, but to also take ownership of their new business. Now that they have the means to earn, they are able to provide for themselves and for their families.

OFDC Fundraising Event at Panda Express in Sugarhouse 10/23

Panda Express in Sugarhouse is hosting a fundraising event for OFDC on Friday, October 23rd! For one day only, 20% of your purchase will be donated to OFDC when you present the flyer at the register.

If you are interested in attending, please e-mail us at ofdc@ofdc.org to get a flyer. Remember, the event is only taking place at the Sugarhouse location and you MUST bring the flyer with you.

Thank you for your support!

Kenya Trip 2009: Part Two

Koiyaki Guiding School
GPS: 1 degree South, 24.426 and 35 degrees East 20.532

After a long and bumpy ride from Narok into the Mara, we met up with Simon and Agnes Nkoitoi and journeyed to the Koiyaki Guiding School. We spent a few days visiting with Maasai students studying to become safari guides, learning more about Maasai culture and admiring the local wildlife.


Elephants are regular visitors to the area surrounding the Koiyaki Guiding School. Contrary to popular belief, elephants are very fierce and dangerous!

Olpukoti Primary School
GPS: 0 degrees South, 54.193 and 35 degrees East, 36.756.

We traveled with Simon to his shamba (farm) in Melelo, located in the hills north of Narok. While there we visited Olpukoti, the primary school where Agnes works as a teacher.

Every year OFDC provides 40 Olpukoti students with new uniforms and underwear. Uniforms are required to attend school and, thanks to your donations, these children can continue their educations!
*Agnes is in the back row, far left.


Narok AIDS Clinic

Back in Narok, we visited a woman named Lucy, a clinical counselor working at an AIDS clinic.


Lucy kindly has assisted OFDC by teaching 4 women's training seminars. The 1,050 Maasai women who attended benefited from her knowledge and the fact that she is a woman. It is a rare opportunity for them to receive answers to important questions, as they are too afraid to ask the men.


Enkusero Primary School
GPS: 0 degrees South, 30.344 and 35 degrees East, 47.350



Enkusero Primary School is a small school in the rural rolling hills of the Interior. The community is very poor and the school has many needs.

This latrine was funded by YOUR donations! Clean latrines are necessary to keep girls, especially, in school. They no longer have to fear the boys peeking at them!


Ololongoi Primary School





Olepolos Primary School



A well is currently being built for this school with materials purchased by OFDC. The parents donate their labor and 20% of the total cost, giving the community ownership of the project.We would like to thank Sarah Beth Coyote Foundation for donating the funds to make this possible!


Olemeisi Primary School

Like many of the schools in the area, the buildings are less than desirable and there is a chronic lack of water. The school has a need for new latrines so that the girls can have some much-required privacy.
Water is currently being drawn from this very dangerous unfinished well. The head teacher is requesting a new well to save the children from having to make the long trek to water from a safer place. A new well would provide clean water for up to 600 people!


Safe House

Before our return to the United States we were sure to visit with the girls living in the safe house. The teen girls are lucky to have a place to stay that protects them from having to be circumcised and becoming young brides. These girls see school as their only hope and the only possible way out of traditional child marriages. YOUR donations keep these girls and others in school and enable them to have a future.

Leah, Alicent, Masi and Florence smile as they walk to school. They are grateful to you, their sponsors for helping them pursue their dreams of becoming educated, liberated women.

Thank you for your support!

Remember, even as little as a dollar makes a difference.

OFDC Fundraising Event at Panda Express in Omaha Tuesday 10/13

OFDC is having a fundraising event at Panda Express (168th and Maple location only) this Tuesday, October 13th all day.

If you are interested in being part of this event, please email ofdc@ofdc.org for a flyer. If you have the flyer, Panda Express will donate 20% of your purchase to OFDC. This is a great opportunity to donate to OFDC and eat some good Chinese Food!