Local Sampson County resident Dr. Jacqueline Howard recently went on a mission trip to Mombasa in Kenya back in August to help distribute clothing, personal hygiene products, shoes, and essential educational supplies directly to students facing severe economic hardship.
“It’s an experience,” Howard remarked Wednesday about going on the trip. “We are able to give to the children, and then to see the joy…it’s just…it’s a well worthwhile trip.”
Howard was accompanied on the trip by her friend, Rhonda Barnes. Howard explained that Barnes, a Hope Mills resident and former educator, wanted to travel to Mombasa with Howard after becoming excited over Mombasa Relief Initiative’s goal of raising support for children who do not have access to free education. Howard and Barnes were accompanied on the mission trip by groups from Chicago and Florida.
The Mombasa Relief Initiative organization has been working for 25 years. The organization provides support through tuition assistance, food programs, clothing, school supplies, and essential health initiatives.
During the mission trip last month, Howard was able to volunteer at schools in Mombasa over the course of a week and received a tour of the area, seeing old schools as well as the schools where organizers and funds have been able to build additional classrooms.
Howard said “one of the exciting things” for her on the trip was being able to dedicate the new classrooms that were funded by the relief initiative. It was an honor, Howard noted, that she did not expect to receive.
Howard reflected on the luxuries of America’s education system that some people might take for granted.
“We don’t have to go and pay for our children’s education – it’s just what our tax dollars do,” she remarked.
Howard noted that what’s labeled in America as “poverty” is not the same kind of poverty in Kenya.
The poverty in Kenya, Howard stressed, is “at a different level.”
She elaborated, “You see the classrooms, and there are wooden desks handmade and put together… There’s just a great need. (Sampson County) students are very blessed.”
Howard explained that donations which go to Mombasa Relief Initiative are “earmarked” for student tuition in whatever grade donors wish to choose; grades include elementary, middle school, and high school.
“Then,” Howard said, “they have an executive director in Mombasa – who’s a Kenyan – and her name is Anna. She goes to the homes, she contacts them, and vets the parents and children for eligibility…then, she gives their names to Mombasa, and (Mombasa) pays directly.”
She also mentioned that through the Mombasa Relief Initiative, people can also choose to “adopt” a family and periodically send money or even purchase animals for families.
Howard told how when she first visited the schools in Kenya on her mission trip in 2023, the principal spoke to her group of volunteers and implored, “When you go back home, don’t forget about us.”
She attested that she has not forgotten and will continue to serve as a “mouthpiece” for the Mombasa Relief Initiative.
To learn more about sponsoring school tuition, ongoing projects, or how to get involved with the Mombasa Relief Initiative, people can either visit www.mombasarelief.org or contact Dr. Howard directly at 910-214-0763.