How It All Started
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Our Founder's Story
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I would have never guessed that Mothers Fighting For Others would have started with a simple Google Search on “Volunteer Africa” in 2006. I was doing research, that’s it. Less than a year and many, many shots later, I was too far off Kenya. I volunteered with Global Volunteer Network and was assigned to an all-girls orphanage outside of Nairobi.
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I am a different person now. Let’s just say I will never be the same woman, let alone Mother again. This was the beginning of a path that I had no idea I was on. These girls that I met were strangers to me when I arrived. By the time I left, they were my daughters. I had fallen in love with each and every one of them those two weeks in October.
I realized I took the small stuff for granted. Something as simple as a pencil sharpener. I remember that first week helping Little Joyce with her homework and her pencil had broken. She pulled out a razor blade to sharpen it. I was in shock. I ran to my room and grabbed the bagful of little plastic pencil sharpeners that my friend donated, and passed them out to each and every one of them. There will be no need for razors anymore to sharpen pencils and no more cuts on their fingertips either. Something as simple as plastic pencil sharpeners made a huge difference.
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What about a basic thing like deodorant? My dear friend Linda donated 40 sticks of deodorant and when I passed them out they had no idea how to use it. I realized, in that moment, surrounded by 8 teenage girls, that there was no Mom to do this for them. These are just two examples of how I see life differently now. I try everyday not to take things for granted and when I do, I have my girls in Kenya to bring me back down.
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My hand was never empty. I realized after one day all the girls wanted was to be loved. That was it. I was never alone. I was never without a child holding my hand or under my arm. That first trip was overwhelming. It was difficult to remember names and what grades they were in. Now, two years later, I know each and everyone of them. I know how tough and feisty Ann is when she feels she’s been wronged and I know how my amazing Winnie puts up a front when she is sad and hurting. Winnie breaks my heart. But they are all survivors. Each and everyone of them are orphans. Some have been raped. Some have been on the streets. Some have experienced both. What I want for them is simple. I want them to feel loved. I want them to feel safe and secure. I want them to go to school and grow up to be great women. What I want for them is what their Mothers would have wanted. That is it. It’s that simple.
Fall Newsletter
Dear Friends and Family,
Now that summer has passed and we are already in the middle of fall we want to give our MFFO supporters and friends a brief update of the events since the last Newsletter. My husband Mike and I traveled in early August to Kenya to visit with the girls and we are so very happy to have made this long trip to reconnect with the girls and Mr. and Mrs. Gatome in Nairobi, Kenya. This was my first trip since 2019 and the Covid 19 pandemic. I really needed this trip to reconnect with the girls in person. It was a beautiful trip and my heart is full.
This was Mike’s first time to visit the home and to Kenya all eyes were on him. We were greeted as usual by all the girls at the home. Not having seen the girls since 2019 they have all grown into beautiful young women eager to join their older sisters outside the home after their successful High School diploma. Mike and I were happy that many of the older girls who are now out in the work force, having careers and families took the time to come and visit with us at St Monica. The older girls presented St Monica and their younger “sisters “with supplies bought with their own money collections. This is so important to let the younger girls know that they are not forgotten by their older “sisters” and to prepare them that one day soon they may be called upon to give back as well…
More detail by Audrey about the day at the home …
After our visit at the Home and around Nairobi Mike and I went on to our private Safari adventure which was such a new and awesome experience to be out in nature with people who appreciate the be beauty of Africa. The respect for the wild animals, the beautiful blue skies during the day and the stars at night with the sounds of the wildlife nearby, was an amazing experience. I highly suggest adding a safari to your bucket list if possible. If you want any pointers feel free to contact me.
All of the older girls left the home at the start of September to continue their third term for the 2023 school year. The schools are now back on their regular school terms with Covid being over. Joy Wanjira, Winfred Nyawira and Winnie Njambi graduated from high school and have left the home for their college education. This leaves still (19) girls who look to MFFO.org to support their education through high school during the coming years and currently (15) girls to finish their college education.
We plan on updating our picture presentation of the girls still in school and in college/university along with the young women who are now able to make a living for themselves and have families. We are so proud of our success stories to let everyone know how important education for girls is in the not so fortunate areas of the world is. The MFFO team has worked long and hard to help (19) young orphan girls become independent members of their community. We can continue with our mission only if we get the financial support from sponsors, friends, community and businesses to do so. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated. Please go onto our website MFFO.org and hit the “donate” button with your support for the girls.
You can always contact me at audreyforshey@gmail.com directly with any questions or concerns you may have.
With sincere gratitude and warm regards,
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Audrey Forshey, President
Mothers Fighting For Others
PO Box 1915
Carolina Beach, NC 28428