African Christmas Market (Soko)
By: Liz Gonzales
Updated: December 2, 2012
We bring the goods back from around Rongo or Kisii, Kenya," says Cecil Faye Pemberton.
And helps a very special place.
"100% of the proceeds go back in the form of clothing, medical needs, anything the children need," she explains.
That place is Sam's Place.
"It was built in memory of Sam McReynolds. Who had worked with nations for many years and was a former professor at ACU."
When he passed away, he left money for his church family to use for missions.
They created Sam's Place.
"There are many orphanages, but there's not a lot of places for the deaf to go."
It's estimated that 10% of the 15 million children in Kenya are orphans. Of these, many are deaf.
"They don't have the option to go to school, and pretty much have a very poor future."
Upon arriving to Sam's Place, their conditions are heartbreaking.
"Their nutritional needs have not been met. Many of them have been hidden. We have 13/14 year-olds that have no communication skills."
But Sam's Place change everything.
"We clothe them and we start teaching them Kenyan sign language so they can communicate and just in a few weeks time there's just such a wonderful change in the children."
And all this began thanks to one man.
Sam McReyonld's must be so proud.
