Getting ready for Proper Walk 2010
Michael Farley and Friend
Photo by D. Pennell Brooks
My name is Michael Farley. The Proper Walks are my personal way to help AIDS orphans and other very vulnerable children in Makindu, Kenya where I served in the Peace Corps in the late 1970s. According to the UN AIDS study released in 2006, there are over 1,000,000 AIDS orphans in Kenya alone. That number is so overwhelming it seems impossible for us to do anything to help. We can though, focus on the youngsters we know who are served through the Makindu Children’s Program (MCP).
Until 1998, the year I learned about MCP’s support of the Makindu Children’s Center (MCC), dismal conditions prevailed in the village. Drought with resulting poor crops, and other domestic problems left the people with little or nothing to live on. With the advent of AIDS, things got worse. Orphaned children roamed everywhere; defenseless, ragged and literally starving.
The difference MCP made was apparent in that first year. I was there in 1998 and personally witnessed the dramatic change in the youngsters. By providing medical assistance, nutritious meals, education and family, MCP gave them hope for a better future, and continues to do so today. But, they need our help.
With the insight of several friends, I launched the first Proper Walk fundraiser that was held in 2002. At that time, the center was only able to support several dozen AIDS orphans. With the increased funding from the Proper Walks, the center is now serving over 400 orphans.
We have now done 4 Proper Walks – 620 miles – and have raised $320,000 for the Makindu Children’s Program. The 5th Proper Walk is in August of this year. I, along with 9 other Americans will be walking 160-180 miles down the Kerio River Valley in N. Kenya. We hope to continue to raise the awareness of the plight of AIDS orphans in sub Sahara Africa and also raise $100,000 for MCP. I hope you will support Proper Walk 2010. To learn more please go to www.properwalk.com or e-mail us at makindu@peak.org for more information.